How to repair vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is popular for its affordability, so the last thing anybody wants is an expensive repair service when signs of damage start to appear. While vinyl is typically quite durable, accidents are bound to happen, so it’s useful to know how to fix your floors in the event of minor damage.

We’ve assembled some of our top tips for dealing with a range of vinyl flooring issues, such as scratches, tears, and dents. We’ll also tell you when it’s better to call a professional, as not all damage has an easy home solution. Read on for all you need to know about repairing vinyl floors at home.

How to repair a scratch on vinyl flooring

Vinyl floors are known for being resistant against scratches, but it’s not totally scratch-proof, meaning you’re bound to find a few scuffs eventually. Luckily, it’s easy to fix your scratches with some home solutions:

1. Rub the scratch with the rough side of a sponge scour pad to sand down any edges
2. Wipe the area over with the soft side of your sponge to remove any dirt or debris from the scratch
3. Using a clean cloth, add a small amount of WD-40 to the scratch and rub it in
4. Blend the lubricant in with another clean cloth, being sure to remove any residue surrounding the affected area
5. Apply a vinyl floor polish to the whole floor to create a protective layer, guarding against future scratches

If you’re looking to get other surface-level marks out of your vinyl, you can read our guide on removing stains from vinyl flooring.

How to remove bubbles from vinyl flooring

A faulty installation of vinyl sheet flooring can lead to pockets of trapped air, giving you uneven surfaces. If you have a bubble in your vinyl floor, try this simple method to remove it without spending money on expensive replacements:

1. Cut through the middle of the bubble with a sharp utility knife
2. Use a glue syringe or squirt bottle to apply a vinyl floor adhesive underneath the tile where you’ve cut
3. Spread the adhesive evenly using a plastic putty knife or a similar straight-edged tool
4. Use a clean cloth or rag to remove any excess adhesive from the outside of the cut
5. Roll over the area with a rolling pin or a similar tool to ensure the vinyl sticks evenly to the floor
6. Cover the area with heavy objects to apply pressure

How to repair a small dent in vinyl flooring

Dents can appear in vinyl flooring when a heavy object has been dropped. They’re deeper than scratches, meaning they can affect the smoothness of your floor. To remove a dent from your vinyl at home, try this simple technique:

1. Cover the dent with a damp cloth
2. Apply a small amount of heat to the affected area, using a hairdryer or heat gun on a low setting (keep the heat source a few inches away from your floor)
3. Gently press on the area with a soft cloth and lift the dent, as your vinyl floors will slowly expand as they’re exposed to the heat
4. Leave the area to cool by weighing the floor down with heavy objects

How to repair a small tear in vinyl sheet flooring

Tears in a vinyl sheet can be repaired at home, but the amount of maintenance needed depends on the size of the rip. For smaller tears, you can use this method to press your floors back into place:

1. Remove any dirt or debris from the tear
2. Using a sponge and warm water, wash the area around the tear, then leave to dry
3. Take a putty knife and apply some vinyl floor adhesive under the damaged tear’s edge
4. Firmly press the torn piece back into its original position, then cover with decorator’s tape to secure it
5. Place a heavy object on top of the tear until your floor has settled back into place
6. Remove the tape

How to repair a large tear in vinyl sheet flooring

If you have a larger tear in your vinyl, you may need to replace a section of your floors to remove it. This technique requires more effort than with small tears, as you’ll need to lay new vinyl flooring, but it shouldn’t require the help of professionals:

1. Find a large piece of the same vinyl you’ve used for your flooring – you may have some rolls spare, but lifting a patch from under your furniture or cutting around an object where your floors won’t be seen can also give you a suitable patch
2. Lay the patch over the damaged area, making sure its pattern lines up with the surrounding vinyl, and tape it down firmly
3. Use a sharp utility knife to cut an area around the tear, being sure to cut through both pieces of vinyl
4. Carefully pull the damaged floor away from the adhesive using a putty knife
5. Use a scraper to remove the old adhesive from your subfloor, then clean the area to ensure there’s no residue left behind
6. Add a new layer of adhesive to the affected area and replace the damaged piece of vinyl with your new patch, which should be the same size and shape
7. Press the new patch firmly to stick it into place, then blend the edges together using a seam roller or a similar tool

When should you call a professional to repair your vinyl flooring?

Some damage to your vinyl floors will be too major for household solutions. If you encounter any issues with your vinyl that are too significant to repair yourself, you should call a professional floor repair service immediately to avoid any further damage.

The issues that are most likely to require professional help are more widespread than small scratches or dents. This includes water damage, extensive wear, frequent bubbling across your whole floor, and other problems on a similar scale. With factors like this, attempting a DIY repair can cause even more damage, so it’s important to avoid the risk and contact a trusted contractor.

You should now be familiar with how to repair small pieces of damage to your vinyl floors, but if you don’t feel confident in your DIY skills to fix your own vinyl, don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you need to.

Looking for new vinyl floors for your home? Trust Flooring King to find great materials at affordable prices. Our collections of sheet vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles have options to suit your home’s design, no matter how you choose to style your room. Get in touch today and see how we can help you find your perfect flooring!