Proper Procedure Of Sealing Vinyl Plank Flooring Seams
Raised seams are not only ugly; when people walk over them, they can trip and fall. It's critical that you take care of them very once to prevent more damage to your vinyl as well as to maintain its aesthetic appeal. Compared to persons who have placed sheet or plank flooring, people who have put vinyl floor tiles are more prone to have seam peeling. The cause is because vinyl tiles utilize adhesive to stay in place, and with time, this adhesive can lose its strength, allowing the vinyl to rise or roll up. In order to seal vinyl plank flooring seams, gather the required tools first before proceeding to the below mentioned step by step process carefully:
Tools Needed
- Vacuum Cleaner & Putty Knife
- Warm Water (If Needed) & Soft Cloth
- Mild Detergent (If Needed) & Hair Dryer
- Flooring Adhesive & Seam Roller
- Vinyl Floor Seam Sealer
Step 1: Clean The Area
- It's likely that dirt, hair, pet dander, and other debris will accumulate in a vinyl seam when it becomes elevated or begins to peel. You will need to first remove this scum in order to mend the seam.
- Grab a vacuum and thoroughly clean the seam of all dirt. Even though it may seem straightforward, if you omit this step, the adhesive you use to reattach the vinyl to the floor will probably not stay firmly and the seam will begin to roll up once more.
Step 2: Remove Old Adhesive
- Roll the vinyl's elevated portion away from the ground. Next, take a putty knife and scrape the floor of any remaining old adhesive. If you can't get rid of all the glue, don't worry. You should be alright as long as you are able to get rid of the most of it.
Step 3: Vacuum Again
- We cannot stress this enough: The clarity of the floor will have a significant impact on how firmly your vinyl adheres back to position. Therefore, vacuum the area once again to ensure that all debris has been removed after you have removed the old adhesive with a scratching motion.
- If you don't have a vacuum, warm water and a light detergent should be added to a container. After that, use a delicate piece of cloth dipped in the solution to wipe the solids from the seam. Before moving on to the next stage, make sure to give it enough time to dry completely.
Step 4: Heat The Seams
- Blow hot air around the ripped seams with a hair dryer. The material will warm up and soften as a result, making it easier for you to deal with. not only that, In order to avoid having to replace a whole tile or area of flooring, heating the vinyl flooring will also stop it from cracking.
Step 5: Apply Adhesive
- Apply a thin layer of flooring glue to the floor beneath the vinyl that has been peeled using a putty knife and flooring adhesive. Put the seam back together by pressing and sealing it with your fingers. Next, remove any extra adhesive with a dry piece of cloth.
Step 6: Add More Pressure To The Seam
- To apply more pressure to the vinyl, roll a roller over the seam. Strong bonds between the seam, the adhesive, and the subfloor will also be made by rolling the roller along the length of the closed edge. Any air pockets beneath will also be removed.
- You might see some adhesive spilling out through the seam as you keep pressing the vinyl. Simply wipe it away.
- If a seam roller is not available, simply place a large object on the vinyl. An object like a stack of books, a pail of water, or a garbage can will work just as well as or better than a roller to weigh down the seam.
Step 7: Let The Seam Dry
- To allow it to thoroughly air dry, let the area alone for about half a day. Remove any heavy items you may have placed on the seam carefully when you return.
Step 8: Seal The Seam
- In order for your seam to remain fused to the floor underneath, it must be sealed. Additionally, sealing will prevent water, debris, and other substances from collecting in the seam and eventually causing it to peel.
- The majority of vinyl floor seam sealers have an integrated applicator, making application simple. Simply adhere to the directions on the packaging.
- Remember to clean spills off the seam. Before stepping on the area, allow it to totally dry and set up.