How To Fix Cracked Linoleum in a Camper (Chipped, Peeling)
A cold dry winter is all you need to start a crack in your linoleum flooring. These cracks can be long or they can be short. In either case, you will need to fix them to keep that good look you have inside your RV or travel trailer. It is a task you can do yourself.
All you will need is a sharp utility knife, some linoleum-approved glue, and some scraps of linoleum if the crack is small. Sometimes you won’t even need the scraps as many small cracks can be resealed by glue or seam sealer. The edges still have to be tight for that repair.
To learn more about this easy repair, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can make the repair yourself and save some money. Take a few minutes to see how this important information can solve your cracked flooring problem.
Can Linoleum Be Repaired?
Yes, and this is a material that is usually easy to fix if the crack is not that large. If the crack is in an out-of-the-way spot that is never seen, then you can always cut the crack out and replace it with a matching scrap of linoleum. It will look just as good as the original flooring.
Sometimes it is hard to match up the designs, especially if you have a complicated pattern on your floor. But there is a way to fix this issue. All you have to do is shave the scraps that look the same as the pattern.
Then apply the glue to the crack and not the shavings. Once the glue is in place put the shavings on top of it, using a putty knife to push them in the right spot. Then cover the repaired crack with some acrylic sealer.
This method should make the crack disappear and look as if it never happened. You do need to be careful though as it is easy to cut yourself or put the shavings in the wrong spot or face the wrong direction.
How To Fix Cracked Linoleum In a Camper
The method you use will depend on the size of the crack and its location. Some people have advised owners with cracked flooring that it is cheaper and easier to simply replace the linoleum.
That is one method of repairing the crack. It may be time for new flooring anyways and you may get a new guarantee to cover any future damage. For cracks that still have a tight edge, lift those edges with a putty knife and place some seam sealer under those edges.
Then put some wax paper over the crack and run a seam roller over it to help seal the crack. After that is done, place some books on top until the seam sealer dries. Larger cracks are a little more involved.
One method would be to place a piece of scrap linoleum over the cracked area, making sure it is larger than the crack. Then draw a line around the scrap piece. Once that is done, remove the scrap and take your utility knife, and cut out the crack and a little extra linoleum.
Next, heat the cut linoleum to loosen the adhesive before lifting it out of place. Be careful not to burn the flooring around the crack. That means you have to keep the heat gun moving.
Once the adhesive is loosened, you simply remove the cracked piece carefully. Then apply glue to the replacement piece and fit it in the exact same spot. Then like repairing the crack, you simply run a seam sealer over the replacement piece using wax paper and put weight on it.
Wait 24 hours for the glue to set, then remove the books and walk on the flooring like you used to do.
How Do You Repair a Tear In a Vinyl Floor In an RV?
The first step in this process will be to clean the floor area where the tear is located. The second step will be to take your heat gun and heat the torn area. You do not need to make any cuts or find scrap pieces. Just heat it as this will help the bonding process when you add the new glue.
Plus, the heat will help the linoleum expand making it a lot easier for you to pull the two edges together in a seamless fashion. After you have heated the area enough, be careful not to burn the rest of the flooring, place some glue or seam sealer under both edges. You may need a paintbrush or putty knife to do this step.
Now place the two edges together wiping up any excess that would adhere to the heavy weight you are going to place on the spot. You can use wax paper a piece of newspaper to cover the spot first, then place those heavy weights on top.
When the weight is on top wait up to a day before removing it. Check your work to make sure the tear has been fixed.
How Do You Fix a Split In Linoleum?
Any of the methods already described here can be applied to this situation. You just have to look at the split and see if it is reparable and which option would do the best job. Also, the style of linoleum you have will dictate the method.
For example, if the flooring you have is a complete continuous sheet, the methods mentioned above would be perfect for this problem. If, on the other hand, you have tile linoleum, then you may have to do is replace one tile.
The key to that repair is picking the tile that matches the split piece. Replacement is going to be the fastest and easiest option in this case. Just heat the split piece and when the adhesive is soft enough lift it off the floor.
Next, apply some glue to the area and put a new tile in its place. If the split goes through a few tiles, you will have to replace them all at the same time. Or you can take this opportunity to upgrade the flooring to a new more modern look and get tougher, improved linoleum.
The choice is up to you and you need to decide which option is best for your RV and budget.
How To Fix Chipped Linoleum
If there are a lot of chips, and this is a possibility if you have a dog or cat living with you in your RV or travel trailer, then you may have to consider replacing the linoleum with something stronger.
There would be just too many chips to fix. The best method to use on this problem if there are only a few chips would be the shaving and glue option. Shave some like-colored linoleum scraps and place some glue into the chip.
Then maneuver the shavings into the proper position and let the glue set. If you do this correctly, no one should be able to tell the difference. It is a difficult procedure as you need to make sure the shavings match the area and have the same color.
At the same time, you have to be careful not to cut yourself as you do the shaving step. Placement is tricky and once the shavings hit the glue, you may have a difficult time maneuvering the pieces into place.
How To Fix Peeling Linoleum
When you see your linoleum starting to peel, repair it right away before it gets too large to handle properly. There are several steps involved in this process:
Step 1: Use a hairdryer or heat gun to warm up the flooring material. Once heated enough gently pull it up and away from the area.
Step 2: Clean the sub-floor underneath the linoleum so the glue can stick better to both materials.
Step 3: After cleaning, spread the adhesive evenly over the exposed sub-flooring. Once that is done lay the peeling linoleum back down over the glue.
Step 4: Wipe any excess glue that may pop up at the seams, then cover the area with wax paper or newspaper and place weights on top of those items. Make sure to use enough weight so the glue can really attach itself to the linoleum piece.
Step #5: Let the flooring dry overnight before removing the weight and walking on it again.
Some Final Words
This is a task that even without handyman skills you can do. It is a matter of being careful, measuring right, and picking the right method to repair the problem. However, if you have bad knees, get someone else to do the job for you.
You will be on your knees a lot and you do not want to make your condition any worse than it already is. If you do the job right, no one will be able to tell the difference.
