Vinyl flooring such as LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) or VCT (Vinyl Composition Tike) is an excellent choice for any room, but it’s not immune to damage and it is good to know how to repair vinyl flooring when you need to.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Scratch Repair And More
Vinyl floor scratches are a real pain point to what is otherwise a fantastic and cost effective flooring option. If your vinyl flooring becomes scratched, there are some quick ways to fix the scratches – if they are not too bad – as in deep.
You can try using a polish or wax to cover up the scratch, but this may not work well if the scratch is too deep – worth a try though. Another option is to use a vinyl floor scratch remover – the most common type is a touch-up marker specifically made for vinyl floors; these are available at most home improvement stores or Amazon.
If the scratch is very small, you may be able to just brush over it with a brush that has been dipped in liquid floor wax. With this one, be sure to test any solution on an inconspicuous area of your flooring first to make sure it does not discolor or damage the surface. Better to be safe than sorry.
Even for deeper scratches, the good news is that when your vinyl planks become scratched or damaged, you can repair them with a few simple supplies. These quick and easy repairs will have the floor looking like new in no time!
Important To Avoid Scratches When First Installing Vinyl Flooring
In a perfect world, installing new flooring would be a breeze. You’d simply unroll the material, cut it to size, and lay it down. But in the real world, there can be a few bumps in the road – like scratches. That’s what can happen when you try to do it yourself (DIY) by installing vinyl sheet flooring or vinyl plank flooring.
If it’s not your everyday job, you’re in DIY mode and you’re not an expert, don’t try to do it all at once. With plank flooring, Install one row at a time and make sure each plank is securely in place before moving on to the next row. Also, be careful when handling the planks – they are thin and can easily be scratched or damaged if not handled properly. Of course, you’re going to be using sharp objects for cutting in the process. Do your best to keep them away from the new flooring while the laying is in progress.
Important To Maintain Vinyl Plank Flooring
Keep your vinyl plank flooring clean and free of debris. Scratches are more likely to occur in a dirty environment where bits of refuse can act to scour the surface of the flooring.
It is also important to maintain your vinyl floors. While they are durable and resilient, with high scratch resistance and the inherent strength of the planks, sometimes it is important to act fast to stop any lasting damage. For example, if dog urine is mopped up quickly and not left to sit, it will not cause lasting stains on your vinyl floor; simply act immediately and remove the evidence.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to quickly and easily restore vinyl plank flooring back to its original luster when it becomes damaged or how to fix a gouge in vinyl plank flooring.
It is always good to keep a few extra planks on hand in case of emergencies like these that require more significant patchwork.
How To Fix A Scratch In Vinyl Plank Flooring
When it comes to how to repair scratches in vinyl plank flooring, there are different approaches depending if the scratch or scratches are major or minor in nature.
Repairing Scratches In Vinyl Plank Flooring When Minor
The quick and easy fix for minor scuffs? A pencil eraser! Rub the original spot firmly until it is gone. Take care of any remaining eraser shavings by sweeping them up as they can cause stains themselves if left unattended.
Next step up, you can repair a small crack or a tear in vinyl plank flooring with something like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which is available at any retail store where cleaning products are sold. To test it out first on a small hidden area of finish, the eraser may prematurely expose some finish on floors with different finishes.
How To Repair More Severely Scratched Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank flooring can be quickly and easily repaired when it becomes damaged by sharp items such as jewelry or keys. The flooring can be restored to near its original luster with a few basic supplies. You should keep a few extra planks on hand if you plan to install vinyl plank flooring for replacement in case the flooring needs to be patched.
What You’ll Need
A few basic supplies are required to repair a scratch in vinyl flooring. These can be purchased cheaply at your local home improvement center.
- Dishwashing Detergent
- Sand Paper: P320
- Sand Paper: P500
- Sand Paper: P800
- Car Wax Compound
- A Soft Clean Cloth
Make Sure The Floor Is Clean
Before any repairs are made, the floor needs to be deeply cleaned. Floor dirt needs to be removed from the flooring. You can remove dirt and grease with warm water and dish soap. Use a sponge to get a deep-down clean with a quarter cup of dish soap in a bucket of warm water.
Make sure it’s not too wet so that water doesn’t seep into your flooring and damage any underlying layers of laminate or padding underneath (although vinyl plank floors are resistant to mild moisture).
After scrubbing out the scratch, allow the floor to dry thoroughly. Any dirt inside the scratch will hinder the repair process. If the scratch is not too deep, continue straight to the waxing stage, otherwise, if it is more significant, continue with sandpaper instructions next (be very careful and read carefully!).
If The Scratch Is Deep
Only do this process with graduating grit grades of sandpaper if you think the scratch is too severe to be dealt with by using the wax alone. Also, this approach will work better if the flooring is of a single consistent color and a smooth consistent texture. If you feel unsure, best to get a professional involved with this more advanced sandpaper approach.
It is best to utilize 3 different types of sandpaper. Be careful not to ruin the finish of the luxury vinyl board by sanding too hard.
Be careful because if you rub the floor too hard, you will end up scoring it, and you will have to install new flooring in that area. Sandpaper should not be attached to or disc sander (or orbital sander) that spins too fast. You should sand it by hand and rub it softly.
Sand the scratch with the p320 grit medium coarse sandpaper, wiping and rubbing it in the same direction that the scratch was created. You will be able to remove most of the scratches with this grade of sandpaper by rubbing out its edges and smoothing them.
You should now use a p500 grit sandpaper. Rub it in a circular motion around the scratch. This will prepare the board for waxing later by removing the overlying wax. However, be gentle when rubbing, as you don’t want to ruin the finish.
In the end, you can switch to 800 grit sandpaper. Again, rub it in the same manner as before. Rub gently until the scratch is smooth and level. Use your fingertips to touch it to make sure it is even.
Wipe the board and its surrounding area clean with a fresh cloth and clean water. Make sure to get rid of any dust created while sanding. Let the floor dry well before continuing with the waxing.
Wax The Floor
If the damage is light, you can restore the original shine to vinyl with a little liquid car wax. Take a quality car wax and a clean rag, and buff the wax into the scratch in circular motions. Remove excess wax from the vinyl by wiping it away carefully from the scratch. Smooth and consistent results can be achieved by gently wiping the surface with a clean cloth after waxing.
Use Floor Protectors To Prevent Damage
It’s simple to fix small scratches on vinyl plank flooring, but it’s always better to avoid them altogether. Put felt or silicone floor protectors beneath dining chairs’ feet to prevent them from scratching the floors as they’re pushed in and out. They not only allow the chair to slide smoothly, but they also protect the vinyl flooring underneath. A large rug in a living room can ground the space and protect the floor from furniture feet.
Getting rid of vinyl plank scratches should take you only a few minutes to complete and only a couple of supplies. When done, the scratches should no longer be visible, the floor should still look good, and the floor will feel soft to the touch. Job well done!
Ensure Vinyl Floor Is Installed Correctly
If you still have trouble with scratches after trying these tips out make sure that your flooring is installed properly; it can help keep vinyl plank floors from tearing up or becoming damaged quickly.
Stain removal On Vinyl Flooring
When spills are allowed to dry, stains can form on vinyl floors. Mopping up spills immediately is the best remedy. You can also use a paste of baking soda and water to remove acidic stains from foods such as wine and tomatoes.
Scuff marks can be removed with WD-40 or Jojoba oil – just apply a few drops to a soft towel and they will disappear if you rub the marks vigorously. Then you will need to use a mixture of water and mild liquid soap to clean away traces of the oil followed by water only so as to remove any remnants of the soap.
Soft-bristled brushes and household solvents can be used to remove some stains if you do it very carefully and sparingly. Mineral spirits, acetone, and rubbing alcohol are powerful solvents that will cut through many stains from crayons, markers, and make-up, but you need to be super careful to apply sparingly so as to not dull the vinyl surface.
Keep Vinyl Flooring In Good Condition With Regular Care
Vinyl flooring is a great choice because of its durability and low cost. However, like any other flooring material, vinyl requires regular care in order to maintain its appearance and performance. Here are 8 tips for keeping vinyl flooring in good condition:
- Sweep your floor regularly (at least once a week) to remove loose dirt. scuffs, marks, scratches. Follow this with cleaning with a mild soap and water solution to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Be sure to use a soft brush if necessary to scrub stubborn stains. You can also use a custom vinyl floor cleaner such as Mannington Vinyl Flooring Cleaner.
- Dry quickly with a cloth or paper towel after washing. Do not let the vinyl flooring sit wet for long periods of time as this can damage the surface finish.
- Avoid walking on the vinyl surface barefoot as this can cause wear and tear on the plastic fibers that make up the flooring. Instead, use slip-on shoes or socks when walking on vinyl floors.
- Inspect the seams and edges of the vinyl tiles regularly for tears or wear. If there are any problems, patch them up as soon as possible to prevent water damage.
- Do not walk on the vinyl surface with high heel shoes or stilettos – this can cause scratches that will need to be repaired later on.
FAQ
Q: How can I remove scratches from vinyl flooring?
A: To remove scratches from vinyl flooring, you can start by cleaning the area around the scratch with mild soap and water. Then, apply a vinyl scratch repair kit according to the instructions provided. This will help to fill in the scratch and make it less noticeable.
Q: What should I do if I have scratches on luxury vinyl?
A: If you have scratches on luxury vinyl, you can try using a scratch concealer specifically designed for luxury vinyl flooring. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply the concealer and blend it into the surrounding area.
Q: Can I fix minor scratches on my vinyl flooring?
A: Yes, you can fix minor scratches on your vinyl flooring. Start by cleaning the scratched area, then apply a vinyl scratch repair product using a soft cloth or sponge. Gently rub the product into the scratch, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Wipe away any excess product and let it dry.
Q: Is there a specific type of vinyl flooring that is more resistant to scratches?
A: Yes, some types of vinyl flooring are more resistant to scratches than others. Luxury vinyl flooring, for example, is known for its durability and scratch resistance. If you’re concerned about scratches, consider choosing a luxury vinyl option for your flooring.
Q: How can I prevent scratches on my vinyl flooring?
A: To prevent scratches on your vinyl flooring, you can take a few steps. Place felt pads on the bottom of furniture legs to prevent them from scratching the floor. Avoid dragging heavy objects across the floor and use rugs or mats in high-traffic areas. Regularly clean and sweep your vinyl flooring to remove any debris that could potentially scratch the surface.
Q: What should I do if I have deep scratches on my vinyl flooring?
A: If you have deep scratches on your vinyl flooring, it may be best to seek professional help. They can assess the damage and recommend the best course of action, which may include repairing or replacing the affected area.
Q: Can I use paste wax to remove scratches from vinyl flooring?
A: Yes, you can use paste wax to remove scratches from vinyl flooring. Apply a small amount of paste wax to a clean cloth and gently rub it into the scratched area. This can help to fill in the scratch and make it less visible. However, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test the product in a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire scratched area.
Q: What are some common causes of scratches on vinyl flooring?
A: Common causes of scratches on vinyl flooring include moving furniture without using protective pads on the legs, dragging heavy objects across the floor, and walking on the floor with shoes that have sharp or pointed heels. Dogs or pets with long nails can also cause scratches on vinyl flooring.
Q: Can I learn how to remove scratches from my vinyl flooring?
A: Yes, you can learn how to remove scratches from your vinyl flooring. There are many online resources and tutorials available that provide step-by-step instructions on how to repair scratches on vinyl flooring. Additionally, you can consult with professionals in the flooring industry for advice and guidance.
Q: Will removing scratches from my vinyl flooring prevent future scratches?
A: While removing scratches from your vinyl flooring can improve the appearance and durability of the surface, it does not guarantee that future scratches will not occur. Regular maintenance and care, such as using protective pads on furniture legs and avoiding dragging heavy objects, will help to minimize the risk of future scratches.
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