How to repair vinyl floor like the experts

It’s not uncommon to have a damaged vinyl floor, but that doesn’t stop it from being a frustrating eyesore. The good news is, it is possible to repair vinyl floor, and we’re going to show you how.

Can you repair vinyl floor?

Whether you’re dealing with a scratch, gouge, or tear in your vinyl floor, don’t panic, it can be fixed!

Vinyl floor is a popular choice for homeowners due to its affordability and variety of styles. It’s a much more cost-effective way to achieve a similar look to wooden or stone flooring at a fraction of the price.

However, vinyl flooring can be damaged by heavy furniture, appliances, or other weighty objects, causing tears, scratches, or gouges in the material.

Daily wear and tear can also lead to the need to repair vinyl floor. So let’s get into it – how do you restore your vinyl floor with professional results?

How to tackle vinyl floor scratch repair

Vinyl is generally quite a resilient material, however, vinyl floors can still suffer from scratches from things such as:

• Furniture being scraped across it
• Footwear, especially high heels and hard soles
• Pets leaving claw marks
• Debris. e.g. grit or small stones that can be dragged across the floor underneath your shoes

To repair a scratch on your vinyl floor you will need:

• Clean cloths and kitchen roll
• A sponge scourer pad
• WD-40
• Vinyl floor polish

Step-by-step:

• Lightly go over the scratch with the rough side of your sponge scourer pad. This will take off any rough edges or loose fibres
• Next, wipe the area over with the soft side of the scourer pad to remove any debris
• Apply a small amount of WD-40 to a clean cloth or kitchen roll and rub it into the scratch
• Blend in to remove any excess residue using another clean cloth
• Apply a vinyl floor polish to the entire floor surface to provide a protective layer and enhance the overall appearance

Scratch still visible?

For deeper scratches, you can purchase a stain pen or repair kit. A repair kit contains all the tools and materials needed to repair vinyl floor yourself, even those with variations in colour and texture.

Tip: to help prevent scratches and tears in future, use furniture pads and place a door mat by the front door. Regularly sweep or vacuum your vinyl floor to remove any debris.

How to fix a gouge in vinyl plank flooring

It’s possible to repair a gouge in vinyl plank flooring by removing the damaged plank and replacing it with a new one.

This does require more DIY experience. If in any doubt, contact an experienced professional.

Depending on the type of vinyl plank flooring you have, you’ll use one of two methods.

1. Floating floors

Floating floors are snapped into place as opposed to being glued down.

You will need:

• Some basic tools
• A replacement vinyl plank

Step-by-step:

• Starting at the wall closest to the damaged plank, remove the skirting board or molding
• Lift the vinyl plank nearest to the wall and continue removing planks until you reach the damaged one
• Remove and replace the damaged vinyl plank
• Click the planks back into place until you reach the wall
• Replace the skirting board or molding

2. Glued-down floors

If an adhesive has been used to install your vinyl plank flooring, you’ll need to take a slightly different approach. Rather than being connected to each other, the planks are glued to the floor.

You will need:

• Some basic tools
• Vinyl adhesive and a brush for application
• A scraper
• A dustpan and brush
• A replacement vinyl plank

Step-by-step:

• Using a sharp, flat tool, reach underneath the damaged plank to remove it from the floor
• Scrape the old glue off the floor
• Clean the exposed area where the plank was previously glued to the floor
• Use a brush to apply adhesive to the floor and allow it to go tacky
• Place the new vinyl plank in place and press down
• Leave some weighted objects across the new plank to make sure it sticks effectively
• Use a damp cloth to clear away any excess adhesive

Fixing a tear in your sheet vinyl flooring

Depending on the size of the tear in your vinyl flooring, you’ll take one of two approaches to fix it.

1. For small tears

For minor rips or tears, use this method to repair your sheet vinyl flooring.

You will need:

• A sponge
• Decorator’s tape
• Putty knife
• Dustpan and brush
• Vinyl floor adhesive

Step-by-step:

• Clean away any dirt or debris
• Wash the damaged area with warm water and a sponge and allow it to dry
• Use a vinyl floor adhesive and a putty knife to apply some adhesive under the edge of the torn piece
• Press the torn piece firmly into place and cover the tear with tape
• Place a weighted object on top and leave it for the recommended time on the product instructions
• Finally, remove the tape and admire your handy work

2. For larger tears

If you have a larger tear in your sheet vinyl flooring, you’ll need to use a custom-cut vinyl floor patch to replace that area.

You will need:

• Vinyl floor patch
• Utility knife
• Decorator’s tape
• Putty knife
• Scraper
• Dustpan and brush
• Vinyl floor adhesive
• Seam roller

Step-by-step:

• Find a larger piece of the same vinyl, either from an offcut after the original install, or a hidden section under an appliance or piece of furniture
• Lay the vinyl floor patch over the damaged area (aligning the patterns between the two pieces) and tape it down to secure it in place
• Use a utility knife to cut through both pieces of vinyl. Where possible, cut in a less obvious part of the pattern, e.g. the ‘grout lines’ or ‘joins’
• Use a putty knife to remove the damaged vinyl from the floor, pulling it away from the adhesive
• Scrape off the old adhesive from the floor and clean the area
• Use a putty knife to apply a fresh layer of vinyl adhesive and place the new vinyl floor patch in position
• Press firmly to encourage the adhesive to stick properly; refer to the product instructions for the recommended drying time
• Use a seam roller to blend the edges together

Find an experienced and approved vinyl floor specialist in your area

If you’re not able to tackle the repair of your vinyl floor yourself, don’t hesitate to call in an expert.

Find trusted and reliable flooring specialists, checked and approved by Checkatrade, by entering your postcode into our search.