Our customers love their vinyl plank flooring for many reasons. One of the best features of vinyl planks is how low maintenance it is to care for. But let’s be honest, if your home is anything like ours, yours floors get a lot of use–from kids, to parties, to weekend BBQs–oh and PETS! We demand a lot from our vinyl plank flooring. And despite our best efforts, you may have noticed a scratch or two. Scratches happen for many reasons but fear not, your vinyl planks aren’t ruined. Let’s talk about a few steps you can take to fix your floors and get them looking new again.
Why We Love Vinyl Plank Flooring.
Vinyl Planks is an excellent choice for interiors because it offers all the beauty and charm of traditional hardwood floors with superior performance benefits. This type of flooring is made from several layers of PVC vinyl and finished with an image layer that looks like wood, a natural stone, or tile. The top layer is a clear wear resistant top layer that protects the floor from scratches and stains.
The excellent scratch resistance in the wear layer of luxury vinyl flooring is one of the key reasons why more and more homeowners opt for this type of laminate flooring. Today’s vinyl plank flooring is known for its durability and resistance to stains, scratches, and dents. But, it is not entirely scratch-proof. While the possibility of getting scratches on the luxury vinyl plank flooring is there, this shouldn’t be a deterrent. You can easily fix scratches on vinyl planks with the help of a few simple steps.
Where Do Scratches Come From?
Scratches on luxury vinyl flooring usually occur due to heavy objects being dragged across the surface or due to improper cleaning methods. Other common causes of scratches include moving furniture or pets and children playing on the laminate flooring.
Furniture: Moving heavy, durable furniture around can cause scratches, so using felt or other protective padding on the legs of chairs and tables when you move them is essential. This will help reduce the risk of scratches and scuffs.
Dirt from outside: Dirt and debris can also be tracked in from outside. This is why cleaning your floors regularly is essential to maintain them, especially if you have pets or small children. Besides, improper cleaning techniques can also cause scratches on luxury vinyl floors.
Pointy toys and objects: Pointy toys and objects should also be avoided because they can cause scratches on the wall and floor.
Repairing Vinyl Plank Scratches
Here are some of the material needed for this project:
· Warm water
· Bucket
· P320, P500, and P800 grit sandpaper
· Soft cloth or a sponge Mild detergent
· Car wax
· Scraper
· Hammer
· Vinyl repair kit
Step 1: Clean The Affected Area
Using a soft cloth or a sponge, mix a mild detergent with warm water and then use it to clean the affected area. Ensure you use a gentle cleaning solution and don’t scrub too harshly, as this can worsen the scratch. Cleaning the site helps you assess the scratch’s severity and make it easier to repair.
Step 2: Scrape Off Any Loose Pieces Of Vinyl
Using a scraper, carefully scrape off any loose pieces of vinyl from the scratched area. Be careful not to dig too deep, as this can cause further damage.
For best results, start with a P320 grit sandpaper.
Step 3: Sand The Scratched Area
Using the sandpaper, gently sand the scratched area to make it even with the surrounding area. Start with a P320 grit sandpaper and then move up to a P500 grit sandpaper. The P320 grit sandpaper should remove most of the scratches and give you finer edges. The P500 grit sandpaper removes any existing wax, preparing the floor for waxing later.
If you still see some scratches, move on to P800 and rub the dent in a circular motion until the spot is totally smooth and even with the plank.
Once satisfied with the result, clean the area with warm water and then dry it thoroughly. Use a soft cloth to wipe away any dust particles.
Step 4: Wax The Scratched Area
Apply quality wax, preferably car wax, to the affected area. Waxing help smooth and seal the scratches and also protect it from further damage. Use a clean cloth to spread it evenly. Rub in a circular motion until the whole area is coated with a thin layer of wax.
Let it sit for 15 minutes, then buff and polish it with a clean cloth. You can also use a vinyl repair kit for smaller scratches containing the necessary waxes and putties. The scratches will no longer be visible if you’ve done an excellent job.
Floating Floors: Floating floors are vinyl flooring that is not attached to the subfloor. As such, you can easily repair scratches by replacing the damaged vinyl planks themselves. The process is similar to that of repairing a scratched vinyl plank, but you’ll need to disconnect the planks to get to the affected area.
To repair a scratch on a floating floor, you’ll need to use a vinyl repair kit. Follow the instructions on the kit and then apply the wax in the same manner as described above.
Glue-Down Floors: For glue-down floors, you’ll need to use a hammer and nail set to pry up the affected area carefully. Once the section of glued down is lifted, you can use a vinyl repair kit to fill in the scratches.
Step 5: Replace Deeply Scratched Planks
Simple scratches can be easily fixed. However, if there is deep gouging on your plank, it’s best to replace it. The good thing about refinishing is that you don’t need to replace the whole vinyl plank flooring. Sure, the process can be pretty expensive, but it’s certainly not as tedious as replacing the entire floor.
Using a hammer, gently tap and remove the plank from the adjoining planks. Use the scraper to loosen it. Clear out the old adhesive and debris using the scraper. Once it’s clean, prepare the new plank by tapping it lightly with a hammer so that it fits into the gap. Lift the plank and apply a generous amount of adhesive to its underside. Put it back into place, tap down gently with the hammer and use a putty knife to remove any excess adhesive. You may also need to add some putty to make it level with the rest of the planks. Finally, clean it with a damp cloth and wax the plank to seal it.
Fix Your Damaged Luxury Vinyl Flooring!
Scratches on luxury vinyl flooring can be easily fixed. But if you’re unsure about the process and don’t want to risk damaging your luxury vinyl plank flooring, then it’s best to call a professional for help. We are a family-owned business and specialize in repairing luxury vinyl flooring. Our team of experts will be able to determine the severity of the scratches and then provide you with the best solution. We use only quality materials and tools to repair any damage to your luxury vinyl floors, ensuring the results are always satisfactory.
Contact us today and get your luxury vinyl flooring installed or repaired in no time! We guarantee the best results, good customer care, timely services, and affordable prices. We specialize in Luxury vinyl plank floors, laminate flooring, carpet, ceramic tile, and natural wood floors. We’ve been servicing the Twins Falls area for over 50 years and look forward to working with you on your next project.
