Seam sealer should not be used to bridge gaps in your flooring. When installing vinyl floor tiles, you will have a seam where each tile meets. This seam requires a sealer to fuse the tiles together at the upper layer and to prevent dirt, water and other debris from depositing in the seam. Seams can sometimes fail on existing floors, as well, and these need to be re-sealed. Flooring manufacturers typically make seam sealers for their flooring, but you can often purchase general-purpose vinyl seam sealing kits at your hardware store. Roll over all seams with a flooring roller. Uneven seams can cause the sealer to flow to the low side, leaving no sealer on the high side. Clean the seam using a damp cloth. Dry the seam and the surrounding tile thoroughly with a clean towel. Warm the edges of the opened seam with a hair dryer and vacuum dust and dirt from the subfloor beneath the seam. Clean the area around the seam with a damp cloth and dry with a clean towel. Apply flooring adhesive to the back of the raised tiles with a soft brush, and then press the edges down with a flooring roller.

Wipe away excess adhesive with a dry cloth. Set a heavy item, such as a board, along the seam and leave the adhesive to dry for at least eight hours. Prepare the seam sealer according to the package directions. Make sure the lid to the applicator bottle is screwed on tightly to prevent leaks. Apply a small amount of seam sealer to a piece of scrap flooring or cardboard to make sure the nozzle is clear and the sealer flows smoothly and evenly. Tip the bottle over at a 45-degree angle and set the nozzle into the seam. Apply a bead no larger than 1/4-inch thick, centered on the seam. Apply light, constant pressure to the bottle and run the bead of sealer along the entire length of the seam. Keep the nozzle at a 45-degree angle as you work, and move slowly to avoid accidents. Release pressure on the bottle slowly after you finish the seam, and tip the bottle upward to prevent air bubbles. If air bubbles occur as you are applying the seam sealer, break these with a thin, sharp object such as a toothpick or a wire.

Leave the sealer to dry according to the package directions. /Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionSheet vinyl is a popular finishing option for interior floors.  Advantages of this material include the variety of colors and styles available, its moderate durability, and the relative ease of maintenance.  Sheet vinyl repels dirt and resists scuffing fairly well.  Its moisture-resistant properties provide protection from spills, making them easy to clean up.  Rent To Own Houses Apple Valley CaThe variety of colors and styles that vinyl sheet flooring is available in allows it to be used in many places in the home.  Rubber Flooring Raw MaterialsIt can also mimic the appearance of other flooring materials, and is able to match virtually any chosen décor.Weight Loss Before And After Time Lapse

A sheet vinyl floor can be a cost-effective option that is typically less expensive than other types of flooring, but the cost of a sheet vinyl floor is directly related to its quality. Though it tends to be cheaper than other types of flooring, inexpensive vinyl may be of low quality, while more expensive vinyl is usually of better quality. Low-quality flooring can last for 10 years, while high-quality vinyl floors can last for 30 years or more. All vinyl flooring has a wear layer, but the more expensive vinyl generally has a thicker wear layer than the cheaper versions, providing more durability. Proper installation of sheet vinyl flooring actually requires a high level of skill, in addition to specific training.  Sheet vinyl products have their own set of instructions and factory-approved compatible products.  Underlayment, adhesives, nailing patterns, subfloor, and seam-sealers are not always interchangeable between different types of vinyl.  Every component of the installation must be factory-approved for use with the specific type of vinyl being installed. 

Techniques specific to different vinyl materials may also need to be employed.  The major sheet vinyl manufacturers print detailed instructions and guides that should be followed, and they also offer extensive factory training for professional installers.  When sheet vinyl flooring is incorrectly installed, it leads to problems down the line. After installation, time and temperature are important.  For the first 24 hours after new vinyl flooring has been installed, all the seamed areas should be protected, and the seam sealer should not be walked on.  The temperature of the room should be kept at around 68° F for at least two days after installation to allow the adhesives to set up properly. The use of good-quality, compatible underlayment is essential to proper installation.  Numerous types of underlayment can be paired with sheet vinyl, and it is important to correctly match products approved for use by the factory with the specific type of vinyl being installed. 

The underlayment must be completely free of any ink, oils, dirt, factory stamps, and residue from old adhesives before it is covered with vinyl in order to ensure that surface irregularities or adhesive failure do not occur. Many commercial floor-cleaning “protectors” and polishes are available that provide a glossy surface and seal on the floor.  However, some of these are not appropriate for all vinyl floors, and may, in fact, dull the floor rather than polish it.  Those suitable for vinyl floors coat the surface to reduce wear and tear, and add an additional sheen to the surface.  Using the wrong polishes will only dull the floor.  The manufacturer’s recommendations for specific products should be checked before using any of these so-called "floor polishers." Once or twice a year, it may be advisable to strip a vinyl floor.  A stripping solution (often provided by the manufacturer at the time of installation) is designed to remove the inevitable buildup of oils and soap residue that accumulate over time, even with regular maintenance. 

The stripping solution should return the vinyl floor to its original condition. Heat and direct sunlight can also cause discoloration.  Areas near heating vents, radiator legs or supply pipes, as well as spots near windows and glass doors, may be at risk.  It is best to avoid installing sheet vinyl flooring in spots that will be subject to high levels of heat, and to use curtains or shades on windows that would allow vinyl to be bathed in direct sunlight for extended times during the day. These are usually the result of negligence or accidents.  Furniture can cause scratches and dents if it is slid along the surface of the vinyl, or if couches or chairs with metal or angular feet that could be potentially damaging are used.  Some types of shoes with very hard bottoms can scratch or scuff the surface of the vinyl, as well.  Hard or sharp objects dropped on the floor can also cause gouges and dents.  Padding under the legs of furniture can help prevent gouges, as can removing shoes before walking on the floor.

Repairs should be approached slightly differently, depending on the type of flooring and damage.  With vinyl tile, it is generally best to simply replace the marred tile.  Sheet vinyl requires patching or fusing of the surface. Small cuts and scratches can be permanently fused with liquid seam-sealer, a clear compound that's available wherever vinyl flooring is sold.  Once the area is cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in lacquer thinner, a thin bead of sealer can be squeezed into the damaged area.  After the sealer has dried, the repair should be virtually invisible. For tears and burns, as well as larger dents and scratches, the ruined area can be cut out and replaced with a patch.  This is done by placing a scrap of the same material over the damaged area and cutting through both pieces simultaneously to create a perfect- size replacement patch.  The damaged area is then removed, and the freshly cut patch is glued down in its place.  Installers will usually leave some scrap pieces of vinyl for exactly this purpose.