How to smooth linoleum on the floor with your own hands, rules and methods of leveling
When laying linoleum or during operation, defects appear on the floor in the form of blisters or waves. Such violations are due to various reasons. Therefore, in order to solve the question of how to smooth linoleum on the floor yourself, you will need to find out what led to the appearance of the defect. And only after that you can begin to eliminate the lack of coverage.
The nature of surface disturbances on linoleum
Linoleum is a type of PVC flooring. This material is characterized by increased flexibility, due to which a variety of defects appear over time. These include:
- waves;
- bloating;
- influx.
Basically, flooring defects arise due to non-compliance with installation rules. To avoid the appearance of waves or swelling, it is necessary to lay out the linoleum, leave it for at least three days, and then cut the material.
There is a permanent deformation. In linoleum, this indicator varies from 0 to 4.The higher the permanent deformation, the more likely the appearance of defects. Therefore, when buying material, you should pay attention to labeling.
For household needs, it is recommended to purchase a coating with a permanent deformation of no more than two and a natural shrinkage of up to 0.2%.
Waves
The most common type of fault. Waves usually arise due to the fact that linoleum has been stored for a long time in a folded state and in a horizontal position.
Swelling
Blisters are caused by laying the flooring on an uneven surface and using poor quality caulk that does not dry evenly.
Influx
Sloshing occurs if the linoleum is laid immediately on the floor, without aging for three days. Due to this, the material shrinks after the completion of the installation, which leads to the formation of the indicated defect.
The main ways to solve the problem
It is recommended to eliminate creases on linoleum immediately after the appearance of a defect. This will avoid the need for mechanical exposure methods or building hair dryers.
Lie
To eliminate the crease, it is enough to spread the flooring on a flat surface and leave it in this form for 2-3 days. During this time, the fault usually disappears. If this method does not help, it is recommended to lay the linoleum back to the floor. In this position, the material should not be kept for more than two days. Otherwise, waves will also appear.
Mechanical impact
If creases appeared during operation, the following algorithm helps to remove the creases:
- using a thin needle or an awl, you need to pierce the place where the bubble formed;
- press the linoleum so that the crease disappears and level the material with your hand;
- draw an adhesive composition into a syringe, by means of which the material was attached to the "rough" floor;
- insert a small amount of glue into the hole made;
- align the linoleum with a roller.
This method of solving the problem is suitable for cases where a large crease has appeared. In other situations, other methods are recommended.
Cargo Application
To straighten the linoleum, in the place where the defect formed, you need to put a heavy object for several days. In this case, it is recommended to use a hot sandbag. Material heating linoleum will eliminate the defect.
Warming up with a construction hair dryer
Warming linoleum is the best way to repair floor defects. However, in this case you need to be careful. Excessive heating will damage the flooring. To quickly level the material, you need to take a construction hair dryer and put the nozzle at a distance of 20 centimeters from the linoleum. The procedure must be completed after the fold disappears.
How to Iron Through Aluminum Foil
To level the flooring, follow these steps:
- Heat the iron well (it is recommended to take a device with a steam function).
- Place aluminum foil or a soft but thick cloth on top of the bubble. The latter should be rolled up in 2-3 layers.
- Pass the heated iron several times over the problem area, making circular movements. This effect makes it possible to straighten the coating quickly.
Usually these actions are sufficient to eliminate the defect.But if the described effect did not lead to the desired result, then after sufficient heating, a heavy object should be placed on the bubble and left for 1-2 days.
If problems occur during operation
Due to the fact that linoleum is made of PVC, the properties of this material depend on the operating conditions. In particular, over time, various defects may appear on the floor covering due to insufficient heating of the room. In the cold, PVC loses its former elasticity. In addition to the indicated reasons, mistakes made during the installation process lead to swelling of linoleum:
- installation on an uneven base;
- use low-quality glue;
- pose on a support without adhesive;
- installation on a wet base.
It is recommended to lay this floor covering on a special base (cork and other), due to which the likelihood of the occurrence of the described defects is reduced.
The installation was done without glue
Laying the floor covering without glue is allowed in rooms with an area not exceeding 20 square meters. In this case, it is necessary not only to level the material before installation, but also to firmly fix the linoleum against the walls with a plinth. In larger rooms, the coating is laid on an adhesive mortar.
If the installation was carried out without observing the specified conditions and swelling appeared on the floor, the following measures should be taken to eliminate the defects:
- remove the covering by dismantling the plinths;
- using a long stick or other means (roller, etc.) to level the material;
- trim linoleum near the walls if necessary;
- spread heavy objects on the fractures and keep in this form until the defects disappear.
After that, it is necessary to re-lay the material, gluing the base.
The coating was glued
If in the course of laying the material was glued to the "rough" floor, then the described methods can be used to eliminate defects.
If it is impossible to get rid of the bubble using the indicated methods, then in this case you need to cut out a piece of linoleum in the problem area (it is recommended to move according to the picture) and glue this part in back.
Rules of operation
In order for linoleum not to lose its original properties, the following operating rules must be observed:
- avoid direct exposure to sunlight;
- maintain a comfortable room temperature for living;
- do not carry heavy objects on the surface of the material, including rolling furniture;
- quickly remove water and wet tissue from the surface of the coating;
- immediately remove aggressive substances from the surface;
- avoid contact with sharp objects and abrasive substances.
It is also important to fill the gaps in a timely manner. To do this, you need to cut out a small part of the linoleum in the place of the defect and glue it with a new piece.
Additional tips and tricks
After buying linoleum, it is recommended to unfold it and roll it up again so that the back side is outward. In this state, the material should not be kept for more than one day.For leveling, the coating should be fixed with one side to the ground using a plinth, then take a stick or a board with a weight fixed on top and slide it over the material, moving in the direction opposite. After that, linoleum can be glued to the base and fixed around the perimeter.
To eliminate swelling and ripples, in addition to the above methods, use heated table salt, folded in a bag or heating pad, which should be applied to the problem area for several minutes.