One of the most popular floors on the market is vinyl. It offers fantastic water and stain resistance at an affordable price. More impressively, it impeccably resembles the appearance of wood and other types of flooring. But it’s not perfect and can be damaged. In today’s article, I want to share my approach on how to fix cracks in vinyl plank flooring.
For this tutorial, you will need the following:
- Adhesive for vinyl
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- brush or sponge
- putty knife
- Vinyl seam sealer
- Rubbing alcohol or acetone
- Mild detergent or cleaner
All of these items can be acquired at your local hardware store, or you can order them from Amazon Prime with same-day delivery.
What Causes Vinyl Plank Flooring To Crack?
There are a number of reasons why vinyl flooring cracks, and they are as follows:
- Improper installation.
- Moving heavy furniture haphazardly.
- Dropping sharp objects onto the floor.
- Expansion and contraction caused by severe changes in humidity.
- Harsh chemicals strip away the top coat, allowing cracks to form.
Thankfully, small cracks can be rectified and fixed using a DIY approach. If a single plank has been cracked, you could attempt to fix it or replace it with a replica.
However, if more than one crack has appeared on different planks, I’d advise you to try repairing it using this process before replacing the vinyl floor planks.
Step-by-Step Instructions On Fixing Cracks In Vinyl
Step 1: Clean and prepare the vinyl plank
Before conducting any type of repair work on the floor, I recommend cleaning the floor so that you can accurately assess the extent of the damage and conduct the repairs in an orderly fashion.
Use a mild detergent or cleaner to remove any signs of dirt, stains, or debris from the floor, especially where the floor has been cracked.
Once cleaned, allow the floor to dry before using rubbing alcohol or acetone to eliminate any oil residue from the cracked plank.
Step 2: Prepare the adhesive
Once the cracked area has dried, grab the putty knife and apply the vinyl flooring adhesive to it. Use a generous amount, and be sure to select an adhesive that matches the color of the vinyl floor.
Push the cracked edges together as tightly as possible and make sure everything is aligned.
You can place something weighted on either side of the plank to make sure that it doesn’t move and that the edges are aligned and connected.
Step 3: Apply the adhesive
Use the putty knife to apply the adhesive to the crack.
Make sure to insert enough adhesive between and onto the crack.
However, avoid applying too much, as it can seep onto the rest of the floor. Smoothen the adhesive using the putty knife until it has been evenly distributed while removing the excess.
Step 4: Sand the crack
Allow the adhesive to dry for the appropriate amount of time, as stipulated by the manufacturer.
Once dried, you can proceed to lightly sand the repaired plank with the fine-grit sandpaper.
The point of using fine-grit sandpaper is to avoid damaging the top layer of the plank while leveling the surface so that they seamlessly blend into each other.
Step 5: Seal and finish the repaired crack
What prevents vinyl planks from cracking is the use of a top coat or sealer that enhances the appearance, durability, and resilience of the floor.
Use the sponge or small brush to apply an even layer of sealer to the repaired plank for a consistent finish.
Don’t apply too much of the sealer and be sure that you apply it in the direction of the grain or the design.
Let the area dry or cure completely before walking on it or moving furniture back onto the floor.
Additional Step: Observe and clean regularly
After making any kind of repair to the floor, you need to observe the area for a few days to ensure that no future cracks have formed or that the repair holds up despite normal usage.
Once repaired, the floor will look better but it won’t have the same kind of strength and resilience that it once had.
So, exercise some caution when moving furniture or cleaning over the repaired vinyl plank.
At the same time, regular cleaning with a gentle detergent and a soft mop will preserve the appearance and extend the lifespan of the floor.
Final Thoughts
If you follow the steps stipulated in this guide, you will have the best chance at repairing cracks in vinyl plank flooring without having to change that plank or the flooring in that room.
That will save you money and time while preserving the current style of the room because when you change floors, there’s a strong chance you have to make changes to the rest of the room.
When purchasing an adhesive, try to use a brand or product that offers superior hold and strength, even if it costs a bit more than some of the other products on the market for the best results.
With that being said, I hope you found this article on how to fix cracks in vinyl plank flooring to be insightful and helpful. If you did, be sure to check out some of our other helpful guides that are linked below.
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