How to Patch Damaged Vinyl Flooring

If you have vinyl flooring in your home, there's a high probability that it will become damaged over time. It can easily rip or tear when moving heavy appliances, become burned from cooking accidents, or be stained by beverage spills. Instead of spending the time and money to replace the entire floor, you can learn how to patch damaged vinyl flooring for a fraction of the cost. When done properly, the damaged vinyl can be repaired so that the patch isn't visible at all. Yes, you can do this yourself!

Quick note - It's always a good idea to save leftover flooring remnants when you initially install the vinyl. This way you'll be able to patch vinyl with the exact same dye lot as the original. If you didn't save the flooring, don't panic! You can simply remove a small section of the vinyl flooring from beneath the refrigerator or dishwasher. No one will be able to see this missing section, and it will ensure a perfect match.

Materials needed to patch damaged vinyl:

- Vinyl flooring remnant
- Retractable blade with new blade
- Putty knife
- Metal ruler or straightedge
- Masking tape
- Tile adhesive

How to patch damaged vinyl flooring -

1. Wipe the flooring down to remove any debris.

2. Cut a square of new vinyl from the remnant, and place it over the damaged vinyl flooring. Align the pattern, if there is one, to ensure a seamless match.

3. Tape it firmly in place.

4. Use a metal ruler or straightedge as a guide, and cut through both layers of vinyl flooring at once. Press very firmly to ensure you are getting a clean cut through both layers.

5. Remove the tape and lift out the sections. If necessary, use the retractable blade to cut out any remaining damaged vinyl flooring. Wipe the bare floor clean with a soft wet cloth to remove any debris.

6. Spread tile adhesive on the bare floor and on the back of the vinyl flooring remnant. More is better, so don't skimp! Place the remnant in place firmly.

7. If the vinyl patch is loose at the corners, now is the time to add a touch more tile adhesive to the small crevices beneath and between the vinyl patch and the original flooring.

8. Smooth out any visible air bubbles.

9. Place a heavy object on top of the vinyl patch and allow it to set in place overnight.

That's all there is to learning how to patch damaged vinyl flooring. You've now managed to repair the damage without spending a lot of money, and your floor looks brand new!

More from Jennifer Wagner:

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SOURCE:

Personal knowledge

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network