How to Repair a Raised Seam in Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Raised or peeling seams in a sheet vinyl floor can detract from the look of your home and serve as a trip hazard for visitors and family members. Failure to repair these peeling edges can lead to further damage over time, and eventually you may have to replace the entire floor. Fortunately, repairing a raised seam in vinyl sheet flooring to restore the look of your floor requires only basic tools and elementary do-it-yourself skills.
Heat the vinyl flooring around the raised seams using a hair dryer. This softens the material and makes it easier to work with to help prevent cracking.
Peel the raised section of vinyl back from the floor. Scrape away as much adhesive from the floor as you can using a putty knife, but don't worry if some adhesive is left behind.
Vacuum the area under the raised section to remove adhesive debris, dust and dirt.
Protect the edges of the vinyl floor along the seams with a layer of painter's tape. The tape should run adjacent to the edge of the flooring along the entire length of the damaged seam. Repeat to cover the flooring on both sides of the seam.
Apply a layer of sheet flooring adhesive to the floor under the raised seam using a putty knife. Press the vinyl back into place and wipe away excess adhesive using a rag.
Lay a sheet of wax paper over the repaired seam. Cover this wax paper with a sheet of plywood or other scrap wood, then place a heavy object, such as a stack of books or a trash can, on top to weigh down the vinyl.
Allow the floor to dry for 12 hours or more, then remove the heavy objects and the plywood. Carefully pull the wax paper away from the vinyl. Apply a vinyl seam sealer to the seams using the sealer's built-in applicator. Allow the floor to dry completely before walking on the seam.
- If the edges of your vinyl floor are chipped or damaged, consider a metal transition strip to secure raised edges and conceal signs of damage.
- Repair raised seams in sheet flooring as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the floor and prevent trips and falls.