Knowledge about Vinyl Maintenance

Flooring, no matter how new or beautiful, is meant to be walked upon. Vinyl flooring is no exception. Time and the onslaught of foot traffic will certainly take its toll. However, with a little bit of knowledge, you can keep your vinyl as attractive as when it was installed.

Please take the following advice so that you can be smarter about maintaining your stylish vinyl flooring.

Consistency is the key. New vinyl floors are extremely durable and long lasting, but like any floor covering they still need regular maintenance to keep it looking its best.

As always, for more detailed instructions, please refer to the manufacturer’s procedures, but below are some general guidelines for your vinyl flooring.

Know this about time and temperature. For the first 24 hours after your new vinyl floor is installed, protect all the seamed areas and don't walk on the seam sealer.

The room the vinyl has been installed in should be maintained a 68° F or greater for at least 2 days after its installation.  This will allow the flooring adhesive to properly set.

For at least 5 days after installation, heavy objects should not be placed on the floor.  Observing this will avoid compressed marks and allow for a more even floor.

Allow 5 days before thoroughly washing your floor. This will give the adhesive time to cure.

 


It’s smart to spread your weight around. Before moving heavy objects across your vinyl floor, place underlayment sheets or plywood down to disperse the weight.

As with any new flooring, chairs and other furniture should be checked for proper casters or rollers.  Any casters or rollers that are missing or worn should be replaced.

Applying felt protectors to the legs of furniture will help protect your new vinyl flooring.

Get down and dirty with dirt. Remove dust, sand and grit particles frequently by sweeping or vacuuming your vinyl floor.

Vacuums with a beater bar should be avoided as they could damage your floor.

Utilizing your vacuum’s attachments will aid in cleaning hard to reach areas and edges.

If sweeping or vacuuming is not sufficient to removing dirt, you can use a mop with clean warm water.

Rinse the floor thoroughly with fresh water. If water alone does not clean the surface, use cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer.

If you are unable to determine the manufacturer’s recommendations, use one tablespoon of liquid dish washing detergent to one quart of water.

One tablespoon of clear ammonia to one quart of lukewarm water is also efficient; though remember to rinse the surface after as to avoid a film.

Prevention is key.  Place non-staining, walk-off mats or rugs at every outside entry to your room.

This will help keep sand and grit from being tracked on to your floor in the first place.

Avoid using rugs or mats that have a rubber backing as they could discolour or damage your floor.

Instead use mats or rugs made especially for vinyl floors and remember to treat them accordingly. Shake, shake, shake!

Spills happen. Use these tips.   Spills and spots should be wiped up immediately.  If using a cleaner, be sure to use a clean cloth.

The cleaner should be in accordance to the manufacturer’s specifications and that the label indicates “self-cleaning,” as this will mean that you will not get an accumulation of wax on your floor.

Rinse the spot or spill area thoroughly and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Do not use cleaning tools that abrasive and made for scrubbing, as these will leave scratches on your floor.

Also, avoid abrasive solvents, soaps, cleaners, or paste waxes as these could also damage your floor.

How to get the old sparkle back.  If your floor becomes dull looking, first, try cleaning it with lukewarm water and clear ammonia to see if there’s a film on your floor causing the dullness. (Exact proportions of water to ammonia are stated above.)
If that doesn’t do the trick, use the manufacturer's recommended floor polish to restore your vinyl floor to its original gloss level.

Any vinyl floor that has a PVC wearlayer should be protected with 2-3 coats of the recommended floor polish immediately after installation.  This will help keep your floor looking beautiful, as PVC wearlayers are prone to scuffs and scratches. 

For serious damage, call on the pros.   Should a seam open, cover it immediately and do not wash the area.  Contact us immediately so we can get a vinyl floor covering profession to come repair the seam.

If your floor gets a cut or gouge in it, cover the area immediately and call us. A professional installer can repair the area, but if the cut is filled with dirt it may be difficult to repair correctly.

Remember to refer to your manufacturer’s manual for more specific instructions for your flooring.

You can’t avoid wear on your vinyl flooring, but knowing how to care for and maintain it can keep you floor in beautiful condition and make it a source of pride for years to come.