Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
We recently noticed a small tear in our vinyl flooring (laundry room if that matters.) I'm assuming overtime a mixture of air and dirt will begin causing bubbles to form, and it will impact the rest of the flooring.
What's the best way to repair or patch this tear?
The best solution is to replace a unit of the flooring. In your case, this would be one of the simulated tiles, putting the new seam on the simulated grout line where it's less visible. You can use spare material or you can remove some from an inconspicuous location (and replace it with a scrap from a store, for example).
The technique involves securing the patch piece in place with tape and cutting through both layers to achieve a good fit. Then remove the damaged tile and adhesive, bond the repair in place, and apply seam sealer to the perimeter joint.
I would get some clear silicone caulk. Tape around the tear with masking tape, so extra caulk that squeezes out of the repair won't get all over the rest of the "tile" face.
Carefully pry up the places where the tear has occurred with a knife blade, inject the caulk into the spaces. Try to get some caulk under the final decorative color layer too, if possible. Then lay everything back out as close to the untorn state as possible.
Lay a bit of wax paper, cling wrap, or plastic sheet over the top of the tear. Lay a flat board over the plastic. Lay heavy weight on the board.
Let the caulk dry for 2 or 3 times its curing time. When the board and plastic are removed, the tear and caulk should be squeezed flat again. It may not look 100% factory, but it will at least be sealed shut.
Carefully pry up the masking tape. and clean off excess caulk that squeezed out.
This tear may have happened because something was dragged across the floor. Be careful about dragging things on vinyl floors.
