Replace Broken Vinyl Floor Tiles in Three Easy Steps

The nice thing about vinyl tiles is they're easy to replace. If you have a couple of spots that are looking ugly, there's no need to replace the whole floor, as you might have to do with sheet vinyl or other materials. Here are the three simple steps to replacing vinyl tiles:

1. With a heat gun, blow air onto the tile to soften the underlying adhesive. Make sure to move the gun rapidly back and forth, so you don't melt the tile.  Once the adhesive gives way, use a putty knife to life the tile free.

2. Brush on some mineral spirits, which will dissolve any remaining adhesive.  Next, scrape away the residue (you can use the putty knife for this too).  If needed, repair the underlayment.  

3. Now apply new adhesive to the underlayment using a notched trowel. The last step is to set a new tile in place (hopefully, matching the other tiles...) and roll it with enough pressure to create a secure bond. Wipe off any adhesive that leaks out, and you're done.

Source: Home Improvement 101

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