How to fix damaged hybrid floor plank?

gracejac

Our floorer filled a couple of gaps in our vinyl hybrid flooring joins using a pvc cold welding liquid. It seems to have done that however it has seeped onto one of the floor boards and looks to have damaged/dissolved the top wear layer of the board in one spot? Do you think this can be fixed without having to have the board replaced? It’s in a high traffic area and would be a nightmare to have to pull up.  

MitchellMc

Hi @gracejac,

I'm not familiar with the specific PVC cold welding liquid your floorer used, but I suspect the translucent buildup you’re seeing around the damaged area may be the residue from that product. It’s possible that the liquid has reacted with the surface layer of the hybrid board, which could explain the damage you’re seeing. That top wear layer is usually quite durable, so it's surprising to see a reaction like this—definitely something worth raising with your floorer.

I'd suggest speaking with them first to clarify what product was used and why it may have caused this issue. If it's something they’ve worked with before, they might have a solution, especially since replacing a board in a high-traffic area can be a headache.

As for fixing the visible damage, disguising it might be possible. You could try using a repair product like WaxStix to blend the damaged area with the rest of the floor. It's not a perfect fix, but it can reduce how noticeable it is.

If the damage is too severe to hide, board replacement might be the only real solution. The good news is that some installers can cut out the affected board and glue a new one in place, rather than pulling up the whole floor. It depends on the layout and how the boards were originally installed, so again, your floorer would be the best person to advise on that. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell