Cutting in a patch
1 of 3Find a patch
Cut out a piece of flooring from an inconspicuous place. Make sure the piece
you cut out has a pattern that matches the piece you'll replace.
2 of 3Cut the patch to fit
Tape the replacement piece over
the damaged section. Cut through
both pieces with a sharp utility knife,
following grout or pattern lines. Keep
the blade straight up and down.
3 of 3Glue the patch in
Remove the damaged section of
flooring and any backing material
that may be stuck to the floor. Glue in
the replacement section and seal the
seam with vinyl-floor seam sealer.
You don’t have to live with
unsightly holes, burns or
worn-out spots in your vinyl floor.
If you can find a hidden spot on the
same floor to steal a little flooring
from, you can cut out the damaged
area and make a nearly invisible
patch.
Inside closets and under appliances
are good places to look for
matching flooring. Or, if you’re really
lucky, you’ll find some scraps left
behind by the flooring installer. The
replacement piece should match
the pattern of the damaged one and
extend about 1/2 in. beyond these
pattern lines. Keep in mind that the
patch will be less conspicuous if
you make the seams along grout
lines or other divisions in the pattern.
With a utility knife, cut a
square from the floor in a hidden
location. Loosen the adhesive in
one corner with a hair dryer and lift
the corner with a putty knife. Then
work the piece loose by applying
heat to the old adhesive while gently
pulling up the vinyl (Photo 1).
To install the patch, you’ll need
vinyl flooring adhesive, a 1/16-in.
notched trowel or notched putty
knife for spreading the adhesive,
and a seam-sealing kit. You’ll find
all these items at home centers or
flooring stores. Patch the floor as
shown in Photos 2 and 3. Follow the
instructions on the label for spreading
and drying time. Finish up by
applying seam sealer according to
the kit instructions.
