Vinyl floors are simple to install and easy to maintain, but they need some level of care to keep them in good condition. Avoid doing the following with your vinyl flooring.
Contents
- Don't lay a foam backed sheet vinyl over the top
- Don't use rubber-based mats/accessories/furniture
- Don't leave wet mats on the bathroom floor
- Don't leave water spills
- Don't leave food spills
- Don't forget to seal the edges in the bathroom
Don't lay a foam backed sheet vinyl over the top
Laying a foam backed sheet vinyl over the top of a vinyl floor is a recipe for disaster. Placing a foam backed sheet over existing vinyl presents difficulties as it can lead to plasticiser migration. This is where a chemical reaction with the plasticiser chemicals in the vinyl absorbs into the surroundings. The consequence of this is that the vinyl on top will become discoloured.
This discolouration will appear quicker in busy areas like the dining room or kitchen since there will be more pressure on the floor. To avoid this, you should remove the old vinyl and prepare the subfloor for the new installation. To give you a helping hand with laying down the new flooring, here's our guide to laying down your foam-backed sheet vinyl.
Don't use rubber-based mats/accessories/furniture
It's sensible to keep rubber-based items in the home, such as mats in the hallway to wipe your shoes or rubber tips on heavy furniture to avoid scratching the floor. However, this is best avoided with vinyl as rubber-backed items can permanently stain the floor.
Use alternatives when dealing with vinyl. For example, felt backed tips for your heavy furniture and non-rubber-backed mats in the hallway.
Don't leave wet mats on the bathroom floor
After washing, drying and grooming yourself, it can be easy to forget about the bath mat. Now, while vinyl is water-resistant when installed correctly, the pressure of a damp mat can exasperate the flooring and lead to it becoming warped if you aren't careful. Be sure to wring out any excess water from your bath mat and hang it up on a drying rack once you're finished in the bathroom.
Don't leave water spills
Leaving a wet mat lying around or simply forgetting to clean up a water spill can slowly but surely damage your vinyl floor. Ensure you clean up your water spills quickly to keep your vinyl floor lasting for longer.
Don't leave food spills
Kitchens and dining rooms can be busy, messy places in the home. Whether you have a messy eater or take part in the occasional food fight, food spills are going to happen. With vinyl flooring, it's ideal you clean these messes up quickly as stains will stick around if they're left untreated for too long. If you have a stubborn food stain that doesn't seem to want to go away, we'd recommend using James Stain Remover to finish the job.
Don't forget to seal the edges in the bathroom
Sealing the edges in the bathroom can become an afterthought after laying down your new vinyl flooring. However, this is an essential part of finishing your DIY project. Without sealing those edges, water can find its way and seep into the flooring, which will erode its durability and damage it. Don't forget to seal the edges with a recommended vinyl adhesive.
For all other vinyl flooring queries, don't hesitate to contact our team of flooring experts.
