How To Fix Vinyl Flooring Seams? (A Step By Step Approach)

Q: How do you fill gaps in vinyl flooring?

There are several ways to fill gaps in vinyl flooring . You can use a filler compound, which is an adhesive that will stick to the vinyl and fill any gaps. You can also use caulk, which is a sealant that will also adhere to the vinyl and fill any gaps. Many people choose to just leave the gap unfilled, but this may cause problems with the floor in the future.

For many homeowners, seams in vinyl floors are a concern because they can allow moisture to penetrate, which could eventually lead to mold and mildew growth. However, there is a simple solution to this problem.

Repairing vinyl flooring seams is a simple process that will not take up a lot of time, and not only will the seams be fixed, but the floor will also look new again.

Having said that, before learning how to fix vinyl flooring seams, you must first understand why the floor seams?

Why your Vinyl Floor Seams?

Despite being overlooked, vinyl flooring seams can be easily repaired with the right tools and materials.

However, the main reason why vinyl floors buckle and roll is that vinyl floors use adhesive to stick in position, and as time passes, the adhesive loses its strength, causing the vinyl floor to wobble.

The dried adhesive is not the only reason for vinyl flooring seams to peel, there are several equally valid reasons. They include:

Not Reading Instructions

Many of us make the mistake of not reading the instructions before installing our floor. Reading a manual will make you more confident about the process of installing the floor. Each flooring product has instructions for securing it properly.

Solution: Read the user’s instructions to know the perfect temperature range in which the product should be installed. Because if you install vinyl flooring when the temperature is too high or too low in a room, the vinyl will not adhere to the floor.

Installing On An Uneven Subfloor

A second reason is installing vinyl flooring on an uneven subfloor, which might cause the vinyl to grow mold, crack, or pop up. All these reasons make vinyl flooring prone to seams.

Solution: Ensure the sub-flooring is even and dry so the adhesive adheres firmly and doesn’t lift the vinyl.

Using Low-Quality Adhesive

Your vinyl flooring may also develop seams over time if you use low-quality adhesive during installation. Using the wrong adhesive during installation could cause the flooring not to stick properly, resulting in the seams developing over time.

Solution: Make sure you use an adhesive that is specifically designed for vinyl floors.

Not Allowing the Floor to Settle

You might not be allowing your vinyl flooring to settle properly after installation. Allow your vinyl flooring to adjust to the room’s environment before installing it. It is another factor that could be causing seams in your vinyl flooring.

Solution: Give your vinyl flooring at least 12 hours, ideally 24 hours, to settle after installation.

Must See: Do I Need Expansion Gaps for Vinyl Flooring? (Explained)

Pros and Cons of Sealing Your Floor

Pros

Sealing your floor will help it stay fresh and new for a long time.
Stains and spills will also be less likely to damage it.

Stains and scratches become less likely to affect the flooring.
Makes cleaning easier.

Cons

Sealing a floor can be very expensive, especially if you hire a professional.

Sealing makes it difficult to maintain your vinyl floor’s finish if it’s not done correctly.
Increases difficulty in removing tiles later.

Here’s How to Fix Vinyl Flooring Seams

Fixing vinyl flooring seams is not a difficult task. However, if you are not familiar with the process of repairing vinyl flooring seams, it might seem complicated.

The first step in fixing a vinyl floor seam is to get all the necessary tools for the job.

Hair drier
Putty knife

Vacuum cleaner
Flooring adhesive
Vinyl floor seam sealer

Soft cloth
Mop

Step 1: Clean the Floor

Before fixing seams in vinyl flooring, you should completely clean the flooring with a vacuum or wet mop. If your flooring has seams, dust, hair, and other debris have accumulated in them.

Step 2: Heat the Area

Use a heat gun to warm up the flooring around the elevated seams. It will soften the flooring and make it easier to work with. If you don’t have a heat gun, use a hairdryer.

Step 3: Scrape out the Old Adhesive

To begin, use a putty knife to scrape off the old adhesive. The best tool to use is a plastic scraper. Don’t use a metal scraper as it can damage the flooring.

Secondly, you should rinse the flooring with water and a mild detergent to loosen the remaining adhesive. You may need to repeat this process until all of the adhesives have been removed. It’s okay if a little glue is left behind.

Step 4: Vacuum the Area

After scraping, clean the area thoroughly using a vacuum cleaner. Once you have vacuumed all of the dirt, turn off the vacuum and remove any visible dirt from the surface of your vinyl floor with a cloth or paper towel.

Step 5: Apply Adhesive

After that, apply the adhesive to the vinyl floor by using a putty knife and spread evenly across the surface in one direction only (lengthwise). Make sure that you cover all of the areas, including corners and edges.

Press the vinyl back into place and remove excess adhesive with a soft cloth.

Step 6: Put Some Weight on it for 12hrs

To weigh down the vinyl, press the vinyl back into place and remove excess adhesive with a soft cloth. Place a heavy object on top, such as a stack of books or a box.

Step 7: It’s Done

And the process is completed. The only final step that is remaining is to use a vinyl flooring seam sealer.

Most vinyl floor seam sealers come with an applicator. Just follow the instructions on the package, and don’t forget to wipe off any spills. Now, wait until the area has dried completely and set up before walking on it.

FAQ: How to Fix Vinyl Flooring Seams?

How do you fill gaps in vinyl flooring?

There are several ways to fill gaps in vinyl flooring. You can use a filler compound, which is an adhesive that will stick to the vinyl and fill any gaps. You can also use caulk, which is a sealant that will also adhere to the vinyl and fill any gaps.

Many people choose to just leave the gap unfilled, but this may cause problems with the floor in the future.

Do vinyl flooring seams require extra maintenance?

Vinyl seams don’t require additional maintenance, but they do need to be repaired right away since they could cause serious damage to your flooring in the future.

Read More on Vinyl Floors

How to Fix Vinyl Flooring Seams? (A Step By Step Approach)