Vinyl flooring is gaining more popularity day by day. It’s something that looks like wood, but it is a cheaper alternative. However, one question that keeps coming around is can you caulk around vinyl flooring?
The answer is yes; you can caulk around vinyl flooring. You should caulk around the vinyl floor. Due to the environment or improper installation of the floor, it can leave gaps between the planks. These gaps can create further issues in your home or workplace.
In the caulking process, a sealant is used to mend the gaps between the vinyl planks. This resists them from getting bigger. It is the easiest method to deal with floor gaps. Caulking also helps not to accumulate debris on the floor. You can get rid of lots of problems from caulking your vinyl floor.
Reasons For Gap In Vinyl Flooring
Before going to solve a problem, it is wise to understand the reason behind the problem. There can be several reasons for which a gap can be formed on the floor. But the two most common reasons are the weather and a faulty installation.
The Weather
Vinyl flooring has the same effect on the weather as wood. Depending on the temperature and the moisture, vinyl planks can expand and shrink.
If vinyl planks come into contact with sunlight or the weather is pretty hot, it tends to shrink. On the other hand, if the weather is cold, the moisture level is high, or it is raining outside, the vinyl flooring will tend to expand.
If the installation was done in cold or wet weather, then there is a possibility that you will find gaps between the planks on the floor on warm days. In these cases, it is vital to fill up the gap with caulking.
Wrong Installation
When the primary installation is done, the installer might have left a gap between the planks.
In the case of vinyl flooring, the planks are supposed to be placed tightly with each other. There shouldn’t be any gap left intentionally. But sometimes, due to improper installation, there can be slight gaps between the planks.
If the installer is not experienced in this field, gaps between the planks might be visible. And over time, there is a possibility that these gaps will expand. They will not only be bad to look at but also have a huge probability that dirt and debris will be formed in the openings.
Benefits Of Caulking Your Floor
Caulking your vinyl flooring helps them to stay in good shape. The gaps between the vinyl planks or tiles can cause licking. Caulking helps with the licking issue.
Not only that, the gaps can hold in dust, dirt, and debris. If you are someone with a dust allergy, this will help you at some point. Filling the gaps allows you to keep your floor clean.
Caulking allows you to paint on them. Painting it with the matching color of your floor will enable it to have a perfect look you will want for your floor.
Types of Caulk
There are mainly three types of caulk available in the market. It’s best to know about each kind and then decide which one to use for your vinyl flooring. Choosing the wrong type of caulk can result in unexpected outcomes.
Latex Caulk
Latex caulk is very dependable. The expansion quality of it makes it usable for larger gaps. It comes in various colors. You can even paint over this. But latex caulk is not very durable.
Acrylic Latex Caulk
This is made from acrylic and latex resins. The best quality of acrylic latex caulk is its durability. If you are working on a long-term project, this is an excellent choice to work with.
Siliconized Acrylic Latex Caulk
This caulk is best for a harsh environment. Siliconized Acrylic Latex Caulk is always preferred for heavy-duty jobs. One downfall of this caulk is to paint on it. You will need to do the priming first.
How To Caulk Vinyl Flooring
Caulking has gained popularity because it is easy to get and easy to apply. It blends with flooring in such a way that it becomes pretty unnoticeable.
In a few easy steps, you can do caulking on your floor. Here’s a basic rundown.
Step 1: Cleaning The Floor
Before you start caulking on the floor, clean the floor. You can clean the floor with a wet mop.
Carefully remove all the dirt and debris from the gaps. If needed, use floor cleaners to take out stubborn stains. You can also use a vacuum cleaner. It helps to take every bit of loose dirt on the floor.
No dust on the floor is a must. Otherwise, the caulk will not stick.
Step 2: Drying The Floor
The floor must not be wet before you do caulking. Give it about 24 hours between mopping the floor and caulking the floor. After the floor has dried, vacuum it for one last time to get rid of all the dust particles.
Step 3: Applying Caulk
The caulk comes in a bottle with nozzles. With the help of that nozzle, put the caulk directly into the gaps. Do not overfill the gaps. Instead, make sure it is the perfect amount according to the gap. Push the caulk into the gaps with a putty knife or something similar. Make sure no gaps are unattended.
Step 4: Removing Excess Caulk
Take the help of the putty knife. With it, remove the excess caulk on the floor. You can even use a sponge or tissue paper to clean the excess caulk.
Step 5: Standing Time And Shading
After the cleaning process is done, allow the caulk to dry. Do not step over or drop any liquid on the floor before the caulk dries.
After drawing, comes the shading. Matching the color of your floor, paint over the caulk.
With these easy five steps, you can do your caulking and keep your vinyl floor running for a long time.
Maintenance Tips For Caulking Vinyl Flooring
Caulking your vinyl is not a permanent solution. Over a certain period, it can disintegrate. And if it is done on a floor that remains wet most of the time, the disintegration will happen fast.
Maintenance of the caulked area is also essential. After a few years, you might need to do a reapplication of caulk. A few tips might help you in the long run in case of caulking the vinyl flooring.
- Do caulking on a dry and clean floor.
- Every 2 to 3 years, do retouching on the caulking.
- Be sure that the floor doesn’t get wet often, and the room’s moisture is not too high.
- Always remove the excess caulk after filling the gap. Having excess caulk will do harm rather than benefit.
- Remember to paint over the caulking. This will give a bit of wet protection to the caulk and accentuate the look of your flooring.
Final Words
Vinyl Flooring is not as sensitive as wood flooring, but it will need caulking. Caulking will help your floor to last long. It prevents dirt and debris. There are some other methods to fill the floor gap, but caulking is easy to do. The availability of it makes it less costly. Also, as you can apply it by yourself, you will save the money of hiring someone.
Caulking might not be a permanent solution, but taking care of it will help to take it a long way!