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Acclimation of Vinyl Flooring
Q. How important is it to follow the manufacturer's recommendation that vinyl flooring sit in the room of installation for at least 48 hours prior? It's hard to believe that the temperature and humidity are that much different from the hardware store I got the floor from. Is this just the manufacturer being cautious to cover flooring stored in a very hot or cold place?
A: Not allowing the flooring to acclimate is the leading cause of shrinkage in vinyl flooring. Being in a hurry can be expensive. You should always follow the directions precisely. Not doing so can void your warranty and cause these costly problems. Along with acclimation, temperature and humidity levels must be strictly maintained.
Vinyl Floor Shrinkage
Q. I read somewhere that new vinyl flooring can shrink. What is the cause of this? Can anything be done to shrink them before installation. Can I open the box and lay the tiles out in the air or sun?
A: When new tiles shrink, it means they were not acclimated to temperature levels in your home. They expanded when they got hot. Overtime vinyl loses its plasticizers and shrinks, causing gaps and curling at the edges. The felt backing doesn't shrink but the plastic does.
Vinyl Floor Open Seam
Q. The seam of my vinyl floor is starting to open slightly in a few places. There is black stuff in the slits. Could this be asbestos if the house was built in 98? What's the best way to seal these slits?
A: You should not worry about asbestos. If you know the manufacturer, you can contact them for the right seam sealer. This prevents discoloration. You can buy all-purpose adhesives and seam sealer kits at home store or flooring centers. You'll need a blow dryer to heat the seam and peel back the vinyl with a putty knife, so you can remove dirt and grit. Use mineral spirits to clean the seam for greases and oils. Use the putty knife to apply the adhesive. Rub with a seam roller and cleaning rag to remove excess adhesives. Blow dry again to soften the vinyl to get it to lay flat and stick. Use painters tape to cover up the seam and weight it down with something. Once the adhesive sets, you can use the recommended seam sealer.
Removing vinyl tiles from garage
Q. I laid down square vinyl flooring in my garage 4-5 years ago. I want to now remove it. I am able to scrape it, but it pulls up the concrete sub floor a little. What can I use to soften it up? Are there any better tools to remove it than the pry bar I am using? A putty knife wasn't strong enough.
A: Try using an electric heat gun to soften it, using a putty knife at the same time. These are usually in the paint sections of the big home improvement stores. You still have the problem of residual adhesive. For this since it's a garage, you can try Soy-Gel and you can flood it to rinse it.