Help With Gaps in Vinyl Tiles

Causes

• Tiles are more likely to develop gaps if they are placed on an uneven floor. Gravity encourages the tiles to slide if they are not carefully applied. The adhesive holding the tiles in place also can't be effective long-term if the floor is dirty or already had old glue on it when it was applied. Cleaning solvents can get underneath the tiles and break down the adhesive, resulting in the vinyl tiles sliding as people walk over them.

Fixes

• If tiles start sliding, you can slide them back; but that is only a temporary fix. Fresh adhesive helps lock down the tile to prevent fresh gaps from forming. Move the tile back into its proper position to close the floor gap, then squirt in fresh adhesive with a syringe or apply it with a flat trowel to get it underneath the tile. Flatten the tile down after applying the adhesive to help prevent air bubbles from forming.

Prevention

• The subfloor needs cleaning prior to vinyl tiling application. Mop the floor extensively with warm water and mild detergent to remove any old adhesive or dirt, then dry it with a towel. Apply a primer to the floor before adding tile, to further aid in forming a strong bond between the vinyl tiles and the floor underneath. The floor should not have a sealer on it, as a sealer would interfere with the adhesive and the tiles won't stick properly. Use a higher-quality adhesive because cheaper glue is more likely to break down sooner.

Other Notes

• Some vinyl floor varieties come in sheets instead of tiles; gaps don't form in these sheets because the flooring is all one piece. It gets applied in similar fashion to the individual tiles. Test a surface prior to floor installation by sticking a single tile to it and then checking the tile 24 hours later. If the tile comes up easily or slides, the subfloor isn't properly prepared; more work is necessary to prevent sliding and gaps.