How to Repair Damaged Vinyl Tile

Vinyl is an organic compound that is used for many purposes, one of which is making tiles. Vinyl tiles are a very popular choice when it comes to flooring, mainly because they are quite reasonable in price. At the same time, they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, apart being very easy to install as well as replace. Combine all the reasons and you know why vinyl tiles make such a popular medium for flooring. However, vinyl floor topping has limited life and need to be repaired or replaced after some time. In the following lines, we will provide you with the procedure of repairing damaged vinyl tile flooring.

How to Repair Damaged Vinyl Tile Flooring

Things Needed

Aluminum Foil
Cloth
1/8-inch (3-mm) Notched Trowel
Adhesive
Artist's Acrylic Paint
Clear Epoxy
Painter's Masking Tape
Plastic Spreader
Iron
Rolling Pin
Heavy Weight
Solvent
3-inch (7.5-cm) Scraper/ Stiff Putty Knife

Instructions (Replacing Damaged Tile)

First of all, you need to remove the damaged tile.
Take aluminum foil and cover the damaged tile with it.
Now, using an iron on moderate temperature setting, warm the tile.
With a scraper or stiff putty knife, pry up the tile and scrape away all adhesive from the substrate.
While scraping, make sure to start at the edge of the tile and scrape toward the center.
Using the notched trowel, spread fresh adhesive on the floor, in the area from where you have removed the tile.
Now, place the new tile on the adhesive-coated floor and push it in with a rolling pin.
Dampen a cloth with water and use it to remove any traces of adhesive from the new tile.
To ensure that the tile sets in properly, place a board and a heavy weight on it, for at least 8 hours.

Instructions (Fixing Loose or Curling Tile)

Take aluminum foil and cover the curled/loose area of the tile with it.
Now, using an iron on moderate temperature setting, warm the tile. This will make the tile flexible and also soften the adhesive.
Raise the tile slightly, enough to spread fresh adhesive on the bottom or the floor.
Now, use a putty knife or plastic spreader to spread adhesive.
Push in the tile, with a rolling pin.
Use a wet cloth to remove any traces of adhesive from the tile.
Place a board and a heavy weight on the tile, for at least 8 hours.

Instructions (Repairing Small Hole)

Using painter's masking tape, mask the area up to and around the hole to about 2 inches (5 cm).
Take a two-part clear epoxy and color it with artist's acrylic paint, so make it match with the tile.
Put the epoxy in the hole and spread evenly.
Using a plastic spreader or putty knife, level it properly.
Let it dry.

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