Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) gives your home a distinct style and a nice clean feeling. However, things happen, and wear and tear are common in spaces that have been lived in. So, if you’re seeing cracking, warping, or other damage to your flooring, don’t worry. In this blog, Landmark Interiors looks at how to repair Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring.
Repairing LVT Flooring
When it comes to working on Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring, there are a few factors to consider. From the type of flooring to the underlying issues, here are a few things to consider when it comes to repairing your LVT floors:
Location, Location, Location
Whether you just moved into your house or renovated the floors years ago, repairing Luxury Vinyl Tile is a lot like real estate: location matters. The first thing you’ll need to assess is where your LVT needs to be repaired.
Fixing or replacing a plank on the edge of the room or in the corner is a much different situation than working on the tile in the middle of the room. Once you know how many tiles need to be repaired and where they are, you’ll have a better idea of what needs to be done.
Figuring Out Why the Planks Failed
The next step in repairing your LVT is seeing what caused the damage. This can be easier said than done. Surface level issues, like scratches caused by moving furniture or appliances like a refrigerator, are easier to figure out than problems under the planks.
Issues such as substrate failures, moisture under the tile, job site conditions, or warping due to temperature changes are harder to determine. Usually, you’ll need to bring in a professional to get to the bottom of these problems.
Variation by Installation
On top of finding the source of the problem and figuring out what kind of issues your LVT is experiencing, repairing luxury vinyl tile flooring can also vary depending on how the planks were installed.
For example, loose lay-down planks and flooring that clicks together can be quickly and easily replaced. On the other hand, planks that have been glued down require some extra steps, such as cleaning the subfloor and attaching a new set of planks.
Removing & Replacing The Tile
Once you’ve located the damaged tile, it’s time to get to work. The process of getting the tile up and installing new ones can vary. If you’re dealing with tile that’s been glued down, follow these steps:
- Tape off the Area: Think of this project like roadwork. Rope off the section of the floor that you’re working on.
- Apply Heat: You’ll need to soften up the glue underneath the tile to remove it. Grab a heat gun, an iron, or a hair dryer. Then place a cloth or newspaper over the tile and turn it on high.
- Pull the Tile Up: Once the glue is warmed up, you should be able to remove the tile. To lift it up you can use a flat head screwdriver, a pair of pliers, or a utility knife.
- Remove Excess Adhesive: Chances are there will be some glue leftover after you remove the tile. While you can use a solution to get it off the subfloor, sometimes you’ll have to use a scraper instead.
- Make Any Repairs: Now that you’ve removed the tile, you can finally fix the root of the problem. You may need a fan to dry moisture or fill in any cracks with a patching compound.
- Apply New Adhesive: After you’ve fixed the problem, you can add new adhesive to glue the new flooring down.
- Set Your Tile: Finally, you can put new tile down and enjoy a floor that looks as good as new.
If you have floating flooring, you won’t have to worry about dissolving glue. You can just pry the tile up with your tools, address the problem underneath, and reset your tile.
Call a Qualified Contractor
While spotting planks that need to be repaired is usually easy for the average homeowner, assessing the problem and replacing LVT is a job for a qualified floor contractor. No matter how the planks are fastened together to the floor, hiring a professional is always the best option when it comes to fixing your flooring.
Contractors have the training and experience to know when to leave gaps for expansion, remove individual planks by cutting them from corner to corner, install new ones properly, and leave your floor looking smooth and level.
If the repairs look extensive or you’re more comfortable leaving things to a professional, it’s recommended that you call a contractor instead.
Learn More About Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Repairs
If you need to repair your LVT flooring, contact your nearest Landmark Interiors dealer. We can help put you in contact with a contractor who knows our products well and will ensure that your flooring is expertly repaired. Contact your nearest Landmark Interiors dealer today!