Ethan Clarke
Vinyl plank flooring is a stylish, affordable, and durable flooring option that is easy to install and maintain. Over time, however, you may need to replace a single tile or your entire floor due to wear and tear. Before replacing vinyl flooring, it is important to identify the type of vinyl flooring you have, the installation method used, and whether you will need to repair or replace the subfloor. This guide will walk you through the process of removing and replacing vinyl flooring, offering tips and tricks to ensure a successful project. Whether you're a novice or seeking professional advice, this guide will help you transform your space with new vinyl flooring.
Characteristics and Values Table for Replacing Plastic Vinyl Flooring
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation Method | Glue-down, click, or loose lay |
| Tools | Ruler, hairdryer, crowbar, hand roller, floor roller |
| Safety | Protective gear, well-ventilated workspace |
| Subfloor | Clean, rigid, level, free of cracks |
| Adhesive | Hard-set or pressure-sensitive |
| Expansion Space | Manufacturer-recommended, usually about 1/4-inch |
| Baseboard | Removed temporarily, replaced by nailing to the wall |
| Individual Plank Replacement | Easier with pressure-sensitive adhesive |
| Water Resistance | GripStrip, click-lock |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of vinyl flooring
Identifying the type of vinyl flooring you have is an important first step in replacing it. Here are some ways to identify your vinyl flooring:
Visual Appearance
Vinyl flooring often has a uniform, symmetrical pattern with a consistent pattern that repeats throughout the floor. It can mimic the appearance of wood, but natural wood has unique variations like knots and grain patterns. Vinyl flooring is synthetic and typically has a multi-layered profile ranging from 2mm to 10mm thick. A 4mm thick multi-layered profile is a strong indicator of vinyl flooring.
Installation Method
Natural wood flooring is typically installed using nails and staples, whereas vinyl flooring is usually installed using click, floating, or glue-down methods. Vinyl flooring can often be installed over existing surfaces, including concrete, tile, wood, or vinyl, using a simple tongue-and-groove click-together technique.
Location
Vinyl flooring is commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens due to its water-resistant properties. If you notice vinyl flooring in these areas, it is likely SPC vinyl designed for wet areas.
Plank or Tile Width
Vinyl flooring planks or tiles typically measure between 150mm and 180mm in width. Wider planks or tiles are more likely to be natural wood or engineered wood.
Wear Layer
Vinyl flooring has a transparent wear layer that makes it more resilient to stains, dents, and scratches compared to natural wood.
Backing Type
Peel-and-stick vinyl flooring tiles have an adhesive backing, making them easy to install without extra materials or tools. Sheet vinyl, on the other hand, typically has a felt-backed, modified loose-lay, or vinyl-backed sheet that requires adhesive or glue.
Professional Identification
If you are still unsure about the type of vinyl flooring you have, you can reach out to flooring specialists or consider using a material identification lab to help identify your flooring and find matching or similar products.
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Prepare the subfloor
Preparing the subfloor is a crucial step in the process of installing plastic vinyl flooring. Here are the detailed steps and instructions for ensuring a smooth and successful installation:
Firstly, identify the type of subfloor you have. Common types include concrete, floorboards, particleboard, and chipboard panels. It is important to note that old vinyl flooring, carpets, and linoleum are not suitable materials for a subfloor and should be removed. If your subfloor is concrete, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of smoothing compound to ensure a completely smooth surface. Make sure to read the instructions on the compound, as some require a primer beforehand.
For wooden subfloors, such as floorboards, particleboard, or chipboard, fix SP101 flooring-grade plywood to the subfloor, ensuring the joins are filled to prevent them from showing through over time. If your subfloor is not level, address any low spots with a self-leveling product and sand or grind down any high spots to ensure a flat surface. It is important not to sand down old vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos; instead, remove it entirely if it is not level.
Before installing the vinyl flooring, ensure the room temperature is normal, and leave the vinyl for at least 24 hours to acclimatise to the new environment. This will help reduce the chances of the vinyl warping or cracking. Additionally, plan how you will lay the planks to make the installation process quicker and easier. Divide the room width by the plank width to determine the width of the border planks, ensuring they are at least half their initial width for the best appearance.
Finally, some general preparation tips include removing all furniture from the room and ensuring the subfloor is clean and free from debris. If you are using adhesives, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and only use adhesives suitable for the type of subfloor you have.
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Remove the vinyl flooring
To remove vinyl flooring, you must first identify the type of vinyl flooring and the installation method. The way your floor was installed—whether it’s glue-down, click, or loose lay—will affect how you remove it.
If your vinyl flooring is glued down, you will need to soften the adhesive with heat. You can use a hairdryer or a heat gun for this. Be careful not to damage the floor if you plan to reuse it. Once the adhesive is softened, you can use a lightweight crowbar to lift the edge of the flooring and then apply more heat to remove the rest.
If your vinyl flooring is a click-lock type, you can simply kick the plank in the direction of the gap with shoes that have a good grip. This action can often be enough to close the gap. For minor lifting, you can gently heat the adhesive underneath the plank using a hairdryer and then press the plank back into place.
If your vinyl flooring is loose lay, you can simply lift up the planks. However, if you have used glue at the edges of the room for added stability, you will need to follow the same process as for glued-down vinyl flooring.
Once you have removed the vinyl flooring, you should inspect the subfloor for any damage or imperfections. If there are any significant cracks or damage, you will need to repair or replace the subfloor before installing new flooring. Make sure to check for any excess moisture, and if you’re installing your new flooring over a concrete subfloor, ensure there’s a damp-proof membrane (DPM) in place.
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Repair or replace individual tiles
Repairing or replacing individual vinyl tiles is a delicate process that requires careful consideration of the type of vinyl flooring you have. Firstly, identify the installation method of your vinyl flooring. The most common types are glue-down, click, or loose lay. If you have glue-down vinyl flooring, you will need to soften the adhesive to remove the damaged tile. This can be done using a heat gun or a hairdryer. Be cautious not to damage the surrounding tiles or the subfloor during this process. Once the adhesive is softened, use a putty knife or a scraper to gently lift and remove the damaged tile.
If your vinyl flooring is of the click or loose lay variety, you may be able to simply lift and remove the damaged tile without needing to soften any adhesive. However, always exercise caution to avoid damaging neighbouring tiles. Once the damaged tile has been removed, carefully inspect the underlying subfloor for any imperfections or damage. It is crucial to address any issues with the subfloor before proceeding with the new tile installation. Look out for cracks, depressions, or raised protrusions that may have caused the damage to the original tile.
If you have access to extra vinyl tiles from the original installation, use those as replacements. Otherwise, you can scavenge a tile from a less noticeable area, such as inside a closet. When installing the new tile, ensure that the subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Apply adhesive to the underside of the new tile, being careful not to use too much, as excess adhesive can be challenging to clean. Position the tile accurately and press firmly to remove any trapped air pockets.
For glue-down vinyl flooring, you may need to weigh down the new tile until the adhesive fully cures. If you are using loose lay vinyl flooring, ensure that the new tile is securely in place and does not shift. Finally, clean the area thoroughly to remove any residual adhesive, as dirt, pet hair, and other contaminants can stick to it. By following these steps, you can effectively repair or replace individual vinyl tiles, maintaining the aesthetics and functionality of your flooring.
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Lay the new vinyl flooring
Laying new vinyl flooring is a straightforward process, but it is important to be careful and take your time. Before you begin, ensure you have measured the size of the room and purchased enough vinyl plank flooring. It is recommended that you buy about 10 to 20 percent more flooring than you need to account for errors and future replacements.
First, lay the first row of vinyl plank flooring along the wall, leaving the manufacturer-recommended expansion space between the plank's edge and the wall. This is usually about a quarter of an inch. If you are using vinyl that requires adhesive, spread the hard-set adhesive along the subfloor, then lay the vinyl planks on top, pressing down firmly and administering even pressure over each plank with a hand roller. Alternatively, your vinyl may have pressure-sensitive adhesive already on the bottom of the plank, in which case you simply need to press the plank into place.
For the second plank, hold it at an angle and insert its tongue edge into the groove edge of the first plank. Lower the plank to snap the two together. Continue in this manner for the remainder of the row, trimming the last plank as needed. For the second row, use the same angle-and-snap method, attaching the planks side-by-side to the first row and to each other. Continue this process for the rest of the room, trimming border planks as needed and leaving appropriate expansion space.
Finally, replace the baseboard by nailing it to the wall, not the floor. When installation is complete, roll the entire floor in both directions using a 75-pound or 100-pound floor roller.
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Frequently asked questions
If your vinyl flooring has scratches, gaps, or lifting, you may be able to repair it without replacing it. However, if the damage is significant, or if you want to replace the entire floor, it may be time for a replacement.
The removal process will depend on the installation method of your vinyl flooring. If your vinyl flooring is glued down, you will need to apply heat to soften the glue before lifting the edges. If your vinyl flooring is loose lay, you can simply lift the planks or tiles.
First, measure the size of the room to determine how much vinyl flooring to purchase. Then, remove any existing flooring and temporarily take out the baseboard. Prepare the subfloor by repairing any damage and checking for moisture. Finally, lay the vinyl planks or tiles according to the manufacturer's instructions, using either a glue-down or dry-back installation method.
Always wear protective gear and ensure the workspace is well-ventilated when working with adhesives. Do not try to sand down old vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos.
