How To Fix Water Damaged Linoleum Tile

Water damage to your linoleum tile is a common occurrence in areas such as a bathroom, entry way, or even in the kitchen. Spills, water leaks or just walking on them with wet shoes can cause water to be trapped under the tile and cause the adhesive to give way or cause stains.

Repairing the linoleum tile that has been damaged by water is a easy, straightforward process. The key to making the repair a success is the initial preparation.

Materials Needed

There are a few basic tools needed for repairing your linoleum tiles.

• Matching Vinyl Tiles 
• Vinyl Tile Cutter or Utility Knife 
• Straight Edge 
• Scraper 
• Tile Adhesive 
• Tile Roller 
• Warm Water and Sponge 

Remove Damaged Tile

Begin your linoleum tile repair by lifting out the water damaged tile. Using your utility knife, make a few passes with it to score the damaged tile. Using your scraper edge, pry underneath and lift the tile up. You may have to remove several pieces rather than just 1 full tile.

Matching the Tiles

The good thing about linoleum tile is that you can match it by taking a piece into the hardware store once you have it removed from the area. The tile may have to be ordered from the manufacturer if the home center doesn't have in stock.

Prepare Floor

Once you have the matching linoleum tile, then get the floor ready for the new tile.

1. Check the underlayment of the floor for more water damage. If the underlayment is also damaged you will have to do a more extensive repair. 
2. Scrape off old adhesive and debris until the floor is clean. 
3. Use warm water and sponge to wash the surface down and clean it any type of remaining dirt. If after the warm water wash, there is still more adhesive residue left, then continue scraping, and washing, until it is fully removed. 
4. Vacuum the floor to remove any left over clumps of tile or adhesive. 

Install New Tile

There are 2 types of linoleum tile that you can be using at this point. The first is a peel-and-stick type of linoleum tile. The second type will have to be installed with the use of an adhesive that must be spread out like mortar.

1. Apply adhesive to floor. 
2. Using notched trowel spread out the adhesive for a complete covering. Make sure that the entire area is uniformly covered. 
3. Clean up any adhesive that gets on any other tiles immediately. You can do this with a sponge and warm water. 
4. Lay down new tile and press firmly into place. Use a roller to make ensure there are no air bubbles under the tile and to make a firm contact with the tile and the adhesive. 

Clean and Let Sit

Once you have the tile installed, clean off any adhesive that came through the seams with a sponge and warm water. Then let the tile sit for a day to ensure a firm bond.


Source: www.DoItYourself.com