Vinyl plank flooring is a good approach for efficiently covering your bathroom floors. However, no matter how strong your vinyl planks are, they still need to be sealed with a good sealant.
How to Seal Vinyl Plank Flooring in a Bathroom? You can seal vinyl plank flooring by preparing the floor by using cleaning wax or polish and then applying sealant. You can seal the full floor or seams only. The sealant can protect the floor and provides durability, and is affordable.
It is better to consider sealing the seams or floor with an excellent sealant to give it protection, a good shape and improves its overall appearance.
How do you seal vinyl plank flooring in a bathroom?
You can seal your vinyl plank flooring bathroom using a good sealant that is compatible with this type of flooring.
Prepare the floor
Preparing the area is better when applying a sealant on it. Sealing it without cleaning the dust and dirt from it can make it look rough and unpleasant.
You can take a soft broom with a log stick as it is easy to use. Wipe it on the surface and clean all the dirt and dust on it.
The dirt particles are usually present at the seams and accumulate there. Therefore, it needs special attention to clean this area. Now, you can take a mop with woolen treads and a bucket of water.
You can use warm water with vinegar to clean it. Dip the mop in solution and wipe it properly. Focus on the seams while cleaning because there are more chances of dirt accumulation here.
Do not rub too hard, as it can cause the floor to look dull. Instead, you can use a vacuum cleaner to dry it and remove any leftover bits and dust that remain in plank seams.
Clear the stuff that can cause any obstruction in the way of sealing. For example, you can remove extra objects that hinder your way. However, the process of cleaning it can take 30-60 minutes.
Use the polish or wax on the floor
Waxing and polishing can protect it and make it look shiny and fresh. But when you are going to seal your vinyl plank bathroom floor, it is better to clean the wax or polish on it.
Cleaning a wax can be challenging if you are not aware of any good technique to remove it.
You can take 2-4 gallons of hot water and 2-3 cups of ammonia. Mix them in a bucket and stir the solution properly.
You can take a mop and dip it in the diluted solution. Wipe the surface and leave it for 6-9 minutes. Then, scrub with your mop gently over the area, especially at the corners.
You can take 2-3 gallons of hot water in another bucket and pour it on this surface again. Scrub it again to remove any additional wax that can remain on it.
Use clean water and dry it with any towel or dry mop. You can also use a vinyl floor stripper to remove wax or polish. Repeat this process if the wax is still present.
Drying it with a mop or a cloth can reduce the time for the sealing process. Removing the wax from it can take approximately 1-2 hours.
Use the sealant
Applying the sealant requires special caution to avoid any damage to your bathroom’s toilet, bathtub, and wall corners. Therefore, it is necessary to do this step carefully, slowly, and technically.
You can take a lambswool applicator or any paint roller to apply the sealant on the floor. You can use any sealant suitable for your vinyl planks.
Coat the sealant with a lambswool applicator and move it all over this surface. Do not try to do it quickly; otherwise, there are chances of getting bubbles in the sealer, or your toilet and bathtub can get stains.
It can take 10-12 hours for a sealant to dry. Coat another layer of sealant when it is dry and repeat the procedure 2-4 times, depending on the thickness of sealant you want. The process can take 3-4 days.
Seam sealing
You can seal the seams only instead of the whole surface. In this case, you will first clean the seams in planks properly to remove all the dirt from them.
Take a straight bar of wood, plastic, or metal to fill the seams in planks. Seal all the seams carefully and leave them to dry.
Ensure the surface is dry completely before using your bathroom; otherwise, water can stand in seams. This can waste all your hard work, and the planks can rift off due to poor sealing.
Full floor sealing
Full floor sealing of vinyl plank is more effective and long-lasting. In addition, it can make it look shiny and clean.
You can it one by one, as you can mend the planks when they are stripping off. Finally, you can use any good sealant and coat it over the complete area using a lambswool pad.
Let it dry for a night, and coat another layer of sealant on it. It takes around three to four days for this full process.
Why would you seal vinyl plank flooring in a bathroom?
It is better to seal vinyl plank flooring to get all of its advantages. I have explained all the details here.
Protect the floor
You can protect the surface from dirt by properly sealing the vinyl planks, and this will also make it waterproof.
Water standing on it or in the seams will cause the planks to pull off as it enhances water resistance.
Bacteria and other microorganisms will make it unhygienic, and different diseases can spread from it. It can give it good protection from scratches and marks.
Durability
This sealing will make it durable. Once you make your bathroom with proper sealing, it will run for a long time.
As a result, this surface will be tough, and the chances of having cracks reduce when the floor is sealed correctly.
Affordable
It is affordable as you do not need to change the floor more often.
It can protect and make it durable, which will eventually reduce your repair cost.
It is an economical approach but, of course, not free. You can select any sealer within your cost but always try to use a product that is compatible.
What kind of sealants can you use for vinyl plank flooring?
You can use an inorganic type of sealer that will harden the vinyl planks and seal the seams. You also can use water-based polyurethane sealants.
Simply apply it with a lambswool pad on the floor. It is better to use waterproof silicone sealants. Sealants that are specifically made for vinyl planks are recommended for use.
Other sealants can make it rough and dull. You can select any good sealant online or from a nearby store in the range of $15-$40.
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