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Remove the old tile and clean off excess adhesive from the surface where the new tile will go.
Remove the backing sheet on a self-adhesive tile.
Place the tile in the prepared spot.
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Resilient flooring is tough. It stands up to traffic, food spills, and moving furniture for many years before starting to show its age. Lucky for you, resilient flooring problems are relatively easy to fix. Here's how.
Resilient flooring is a big family of finished flooring products that includes vinyl, polyurethane, linoleum, cork, and rubber materials. Resilient flooring comes in sheets of 6- to 12-feet wide and in small tiles, typically 12-inches square. Both types are laid in solvent- or water-base adhesive on concrete, plywood, or hardboard. Some tiles have the adhesive already applied to the back, called self-adhesive tiles. Resilient floors are easy to maintain, and they resist moisture and stains.
Reglue a loose tile:
- Soften the adhesive under the tile by placing a clean towel under a warm electric iron on the tile surface.
- Carefully lift the loosened tile with a putty knife, then remove adhesive from under the tile.
- Use a notched spreader to apply a water-base adhesive under the tile.
- Press the tile down firmly and place a weight on the tile overnight.
Remove a bubble under resilient flooring:
- Soften the adhesive under the tile by placing a clean towel under a warm electric iron on the tile surface.
- Use a utility knife to carefully slit the bubble from one edge to the other.
- Use the utility knife's blade to hold the slit open while you insert a syringe of water-base adhesive under the tile. You can buy adhesive in syringes at most hardware stores.
- Press down firmly and place a weight on the tile overnight.
Replace a single resilient tile:
- Soften the adhesive under the tile by placing a clean towel under a warm electric iron on the tile surface.
- Carefully lift the loosened tile with a putty knife and lift the tile out. Alternately, you can cut the tile with a utility knife and remove it.
- Remove old adhesive with a putty knife, making sure the surface where the new tile will go is flat and clean.
- Test the size and location of the tile, trimming it as needed.
- Apply new water-base adhesive using a notched adhesive spreader or brush, following instructions on the adhesive. If you are reinstalling a self-adhesive tile, remove the backing sheet.
- Heat the new tile by placing a clean towel under a warm electric iron on the tile surface.
- Carefully place the new tile into the prepared spot.
- Press down firmly and place a weight on the tile for 24 hours or as directed by the adhesive manufacturer. Some manufacturers suggest using a joint sealer between tiles.
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