LVT Floating Floor Plank Repair
Materials and Tools Needed: Adhesive, Masking tape (2”–3” wide), Chisel, Circular saw with carbide blade. Crow bar, Drop cloth/floor cloth, Hammer, Pencil or marker pen, Putty knife, 1¼” wide, Replacement plank, Safety glasses, Scrap plank flooring, Tapping block, Utility knife, Vacuum cleaner Weights.
You must read and understand these instructions completely before beginning repair. It is recommended to wear your safety glasses throughout this project.
PLANK REMOVAL: Make sure the replacement plank matches the rest of your flooring material. Carefully examine the replacement plank for material defect. The new plank must be acclimated a minimum of 72 hours prior to installation.
1. Protect: To protect your floor, tape around the board to be replaced such that the tape is adhered to the flooring that will remain in place and runs along the seam edges. Cover the surrounding floor with a protective cloth. To further prevent your work and resulting debris from damaging the floor, tape this cloth in place.
2. Cut: On the damaged plank and about one inch (1”) in from all four edges, draw lines parallel to the edges of the plank to be replaced. This will result in a rectangular saw line around the plank. Drill Holes near each corner of the plank to facilitate sawing the cuts. Set saw blade depth to thickness of plank and cut on the saw lines making sure not to over cut into the masking tape that protects the flooring to remain.
3. Removal: Using the putty knife, gently pry up and remove the cut-out section of plank.
For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
4. Relief Cuts: Again, careful not to over cut into the remaining planks, make several cuts along the long edge of each plank and diagonally by the corners. These cuts can be made with the saw or by using the chisel.
It is a good idea to thoroughly vacuum the work area at this point to keep debris from gaining access beneath remaining flooring. Continue to monitor this as you progress through each stage of the project.
5. Edge Removal: Along one of the long sides, use the crow bar to slightly lift the flooring. With pressure relieved, you will be able to gently move a remaining segment of the damaged plank up and down. Be careful to make only slight upward movements so as not to damage the surface layer of the taped flooring. Repeat this procedure until all remaining segments have been removed.
PREPARATION FOR NEW PLANK: Vacuum area where the plank was removed paying special attention to the area under remaining flooring. Use the chisel and utility knife to remove residual plank particles and surplus adhesive from the uncovered tongue and groove. With an unused scrap piece of plank, check to see if the tongue and groove are clean and permit a true fit without forcing.
INSTALLING NEW PLANK: To confirm fit, turn plank upside down and place in opening.
1. Tongue Removal: Remove long and short end tongue of the replacement plank.
2. Adhesive: In the exposed groove of short end of the existing plank on the floor, spread a bead of ethyl cyanoacrylate(super glue) around the four side of the plank.
3. Inserting Plank: Install the new plank by inserting the tongue edge first, at an angle, into the groove of the remaining flooring. A tapping block will be helpful at this stage to protect the edges. Move the tapping block down the length of the replacement plank, gently tapping with a hammer as you go. Do not allow any portion of the carpet tape to come between the joints as the plank is maneuvered into place. Once the plank is in place, use the tapping block and hammer to set all the seams.
Use a clean cloth, slightly dampened with water, to remove any excess adhesive.
4. Wait to dry: Place weights on the new board to apply pressure for 24 hours allowing the adhesive to set up. During this time, do not walk on or disturb the area.
Check out our Video on our YouTube channel:
LVT Plank Replacement - YouTube