subject: Do's And Don'ts With Vinyl Floors [print this page] Vinyl floors are universalVinyl floors are universal. They're used in all environments, whether they're the right surface for the place or not. That means they're often subject to serious extra wear and tear and need some maintenance to survive. Vinyl floor cleaning can prevent a major replacement bill, and fix problems before they evolve into expensive problems.
Vinyl floors- A tale of long suffering surfaces
There wouldn't be a person alive who hasn't seen a vinyl floor in the process of falling to pieces, usually through neglect and lack of maintenance. Heavy duty vinyl is a very good material, and modern vinyls are even better than their predecessors, but vinyl also has its limits.
Unlike other types of flooring, vinyl needs regular maintenance and to be kept in good condition, because it's a polymer surface. Polymers, which are organized chains of molecules, when broken, tear, and the surfaces are compromised. Every bit of pressure after that damage aggravates the tear. Their only real defence is to be well maintained, with proper surface protection.
Important Don'ts with vinyl floors
If you remember the old lino floors that seemed to last forever, one reason for their longevity was that they were properly laid and properly maintained. It's the classic case of spending a dollar now or a thousand later.
Don't assume a vinyl repair kit can do much more than a band aid. The area being repaired is effectively a stress fracture. Some types of repair can actually make a situation worse, and serious damage won't be actually repaired, just masked.
Don't ignore tile damage. There could also be damage under the obvious areas, meaning the floor is being damaged progressively by wear, because it's no longer really set properly. Areas of tile can separate under this pressure, creating an unsafe floor.
Don't ignore any areas of floor which seem different, particularly around floor edges. The vinyl may have been affected by a leak, water damage, or other situations. It may also have come loose from its bonding, meaning it's in need of repair before the problem spreads.
Don't put off a proper repair job. A comparatively minor, but thorough, repair can save you replacing a whole section of floor, or an entire floor, over time.
Absolute Do's with vinyl floors
Do make sure to repair any damage promptly. Get any damaged areas of vinyl flooring repaired immediately.
Do make sure your vinyl floor is properly sealed. Some older floors aren't, and they take a lot of unnecessary damage for that reason.
Do check the finish on your vinyl floor. Ground in dirt, chemicals, and the usual selection of things tramped in from outside build up, destroy the finish, and start eating away and damaging the surface.
Do get professional advice about your floor. You can get professional floor polishing, sealing, and advice that can put another 20 years life on your floor with a single call to a flooring specialist. A professionally restored floor really does look fabulous. It's also a lot cheaper than getting a new one. Check out what you can do with your floors
