Making a Patch to Vinyl
Flooring
Sometimes a hole, gouge or stain is big enough
that a minute repair is not enough. If you have a ding, crack or hole in your
vinyl sheeting but don’t want to lay down a whole floor (and, frankly,
who does?), you can make a patch out of a matching piece of vinyl and replace
the damaged section.
If you don’t have an extra matching piece, you can
elect to remove a section from an area that doesn’t see as much daylight,
such as inside a closet or under an appliance. Find a section, say, under your
washing machine that matches the area you want to replace and cut out a patch
using the forthcoming instructions.
Note: You will have to make a patch using
a comparable-grade vinyl to replace the section you’re removing so that
the underlayment isn’t left exposed to moisture.
For this project you’ll need:
- A sharp utility knife
- A piece of matching replacement vinyl
- A metal framing edge (an "L" shaped ruler)
- A metal putty knife or paint scraper
- Mineral spirits (if adhesive on old section remains)
- Liquid flooring adhesive
- Liquid seam sealer
1. Measure the section of floor you intend to replace and cut a piece of
new vinyl that extends beyond the hole, stain or other damage. Make sure
the piece you cut contains the same pattern as the area you’re replacing.
2. Align the patch over the damaged section so the pattern is just right
and tape it in place.
3. Use a metal framing edge to guide your utility knife (use a sharp new
blade or you’ll have jagged edges) as you carefully slice through
both the patch and the old vinyl beneath.
4. Remove the patch and set aside. If needed, score the square around the
damaged section again, making sure to keep your edges clean. Use extra care
as you reach the edges so you don’t cut into the surrounding floor.
5. Pry up the damaged section. If the section has tight adhesive behind it,
you may need to scrape it away from the subfloor with a paint scraper, metal
putty knife or other applicable tool. If adhesive remains, loosen its hold
with mineral spirits and scrape again to create a clean, level platform
for the replacement patch. Thoroughly clean away any spirit residue and
allow the area to dry completely.
6. With a brush, putty knife or spatula, apply a thin, even coat of adhesive
to the subfloor. Install the patch and smooth with a clean damp sponge.
If any adhesive oozes out the sides, make sure to wipe it off immediately.
Once you have it seated perfectly, cover it with a layer of wax paper and
place something flat and heavy over the top (a couple dictionaries or hardbacks
by Tolstoy, Proust or James Joyce will suffice).
7. Allow the patch to dry for at least 24 hours. Then apply a thin line of
liquid seam sealer (available at home improvement and hardware stores) to
the four edges to keep the corners flat and to make the patch disappear
within the rest of the floor.
