For many decades, linoleum has remained one of the most popular floor coverings for residential premises. Among its many advantages is the possibility of installation without the help of repair specialists, however, some nuances of laying linoleum, such as correct connection joints still require some specific knowledge from the performer.

Types of connection

If you need to connect two sheets of linoleum, you should get an idea of ​​all possible options docking.

Currently, seams can be installed using the following means:

• Mastic;
• Hot welding;
• Cold welding.

By mastic, which is used when working with linoleum, we mean a type of multi-component adhesive paste (bitumen-based mastic is usually used). The direct purpose of such “putty” is both to fix the main area of ​​the coating relative to the floor and to glue the joints of the material together. Adhesive mastic should not be confused with protective mastic, the function of which is to keep linoleum in good condition and extend its service life.

The use of mastic directly to connect surface joints is a proven method that still has some popularity.

The main “trump card” of this method is the high strength of the joint.

However, you need to be prepared for the fact that maintaining the integrity of the product if it is dismantled is impossible. In addition, joining joints with mastic requires some additional preparation: in addition to cleaning the edges of the panels from dust, it is recommended to degrease them.

The second way to reliably glue linoleum seams is hot welding. As the name itself suggests, the connection principle is based on the treatment of canvases with a stream of hot air and subsequent adhesion of surfaces softened by heating. To process a seam by hot welding, a special tool is required - a hot air gun (welding heater) with a filler rod, which fills the gap between the panels and then welds the linoleum.

Despite the high strength and complete tightness of soldering obtained by joining joints in this way, it is not popular among non-professionals for a number of reasons. Firstly, buying a hot air gun significantly increases the financial costs of repairs; replacing this narrow-profile tool with a soldering iron, which is available in many homes, is impractical (the seam will turn out to be intermittent and uneven). Secondly, welding seams using air heated to 400 degrees is only possible when working with dense and hard linoleum, since the soft one will simply melt and be hopelessly damaged.

In addition, working with a welding torch requires considerable perseverance and attentiveness, and most importantly, a certain skill and experience that a beginner in repair simply cannot have. Another obvious disadvantage of joining by hot welding is the rather rough seam as the final result of the work.

The most optimal and in a simple way, which allows you to quickly and accurately glue the joints of linoleum, is the latest type of its connection - cold welding. Adhesion and fixation of the canvases occurs through the active dissolution of the material and its transformation into a monolith after hardening. This method of work has a number of advantages over its analogues.

First of all, the use of cold welding does not require the acquisition of special tools, as well as the possession of professional skills and abilities. All you need for installation is a tube of liquid glue (a thin needle tip is included) and a steady hand.

All installation work, including preparation for docking and its final stage, occurs simply and quickly. Complete drying It also won’t keep you waiting long: after two hours you can step on the seam without fear, and after 8 hours complete hardening occurs (for comparison, adhesion of joints obtained by hot welding occurs only after 24 hours).

The second indisputable advantage of cold welding is its versatility: this joining method is suitable for any material and class (operational purpose) of linoleum.

Repairing an old coating using this glue is also possible: cold welding is often used to process the seams of a patch installed at the site of damage.

In addition, in comparison with seams obtained during installation using mastic or hot welding, joints made using this method are much more solid and neat, which means they are less noticeable to the naked eye. It should be noted that they are no less durable than solderings made with a hot air gun.

Another “advantage” of cold welding is the ability to create joints of any shape.

This method is indispensable when installing panels covering turns from room to room or when working with the floor of a home with a non-standard layout.

Despite many compelling arguments in favor of cold welding, there are some restrictions on its use. Thus, it is not recommended to use this fastener for joining panels of multi-layer linoleum or coverings with insulation, since the seam in these cases will be clearly visible. In addition, the glue that is used for this joining method is highly toxic and harmful to the respiratory tract, and therefore, when working with cold welding, it is necessary to strictly monitor the stable supply of fresh air into the room, and also not to forget about a respirator and protecting your hands with gloves.

Types of glue

Having made your choice in favor of cold welding as a means of fixing linoleum seams, you should pay attention to the presence of three types of suitable glue.

• Type A;
• Type C;
• Type T.

Having no significant differences in the principle of operation, characteristics and composition (most of these sealed and waterproof adhesives produced on the basis of tetrahydrofuran and PVC with the addition of plasticizers), each type of cold welding has its own narrow purpose.

• Type A best suited for installing new or hard covering (ideally made of polyvinyl chloride). The thin needle of the tip is adapted to penetrate and fill gaps with glue no more than 2 mm wide, while the edges of the panels must be perfectly smooth. Having a large part of the solvent in its composition, type A welding has a fairly liquid consistency, so you should not be hasty when working with it. The seam obtained by this type of cold welding is distinguished by its accuracy and correct location to a source of natural light (the joints should be perpendicular to the window) invisible.

• Unlike type A, type C used primarily for gluing diverging seams of old coverings. Having a thicker consistency, this astringent glue allows you to connect even panels that are far apart from each other: the gap between the joints can be 2 mm or more. The glue is supplied from a wide “spout”, however, working with such a tube does not require special care, since after drying the excess is removed with a sharp knife. Once hardened, type C cold welding does not lose its elasticity, and the resulting seam is characterized by increased elasticity.

Compared to type A this type cold welding provides less reliable fixation of joints to each other.

• Regarding welding type T(the letter in the name in this case reflects the shape of the tube nozzle), this glue is used mainly for soldering linoleum on a felt backing or for multi-component products based on PVC and polyester. Among the advantages of type T glue are the high reliability and elasticity of the seam, as well as the line of connection between the panels that is invisible to the eye. However, working with such glue requires some experience, so if its use is justified, it is best to refuse self-installation coating and entrust the work to a professional.

As for the pricing policy, the cost of cold welding glue ranges from approximately 140 to 450 rubles per tube of about 100 ml (material consumption is indicated on each tube). Among the brands that received the best reviews among professionals are Sintex (Spain), Homakoll and Forbo (all Russia).

While focusing on the types of glue for joining the coating, you should not forget about purchasing a fixing agent directly for the floor. The already mentioned bitumen mastic. Coupled with the type of cold welding that is needed in a particular situation, this adhesive allows you to reliably glue the material to the floor and ensure durable fixation of the coating even under high loads on it.

Preparing tools

To install linoleum joints using cold welding, it is recommended to use the following tools:

• a cloth for cleaning the edges from dust;
• wide masking tape for guard flooring from getting glue;
• plywood (placed under the covering when it is cut along the joint line);
• a long metal ruler for drawing a cutting line;
• stationery or wallpaper knife;
• gloves and a respirator to protect hands and respiratory organs from toxic substances of glue;
• a narrow roller for smoothing the seam.

Features of the process: how to weld correctly?

The most important tool to be used in the work is the cold welding of the selected type. Despite the fact that each tube of glue contains detailed instructions for its use, there are general operating principles that allow you to correctly join seams. First of all, it should be remembered that gluing the joints is carried out first, even before fixing the main area of ​​​​the coating. The next thing that needs to be taken into account when working is maintaining the greatest possible cleanliness both during preparatory work, and during the gluing process itself.

Timely cleaning of the material from dust and dirt is the key to the accuracy and durability of the seam.

When cutting out the material with your own hands, you must ensure that the edges of the panels are even. No matter how powerful the solvent the glue is, it will no longer be possible to perfectly weld imperfect edges with its help. In addition, when finally combining two pieces of linoleum, due attention should be paid to matching the coating pattern, if any.

Step-by-step instruction

The most important guarantee is indeed successful installation joints of the floor covering is to strictly follow the step-by-step instructions.

Seam formation

In order to correctly form the future seam, first of all it is necessary to obtain absolutely smooth edges of the panels. This can be achieved without additional effort by simultaneously cutting two pieces superimposed on each other. The edges are overlapped, and plywood is placed under them to avoid damage to the floor. Next, to prevent uneven cutting due to dust and dirt trapped between the panels, the edges of the linoleum are thoroughly cleaned with a damp soft cloth and dried. Having aligned the panels, they are cut with a stationery knife along the preliminary marking line drawn using a long ruler and pencil. When comparing pieces of material, you should strive for maximum tight joining, so as to reduce the width of the future seam to a minimum. Now you can proceed to the next stage.

Surface preparation

To protect the rest of the linoleum surface from glue, apply wide masking tape along the entire length of the joint. Next, the tape is cut with a sharp knife along the entire length of the future seam. Another option for protecting linoleum from accidental ingress of adhesive is also possible: adhesive tape is attached to the edges of each panel separately. After completing the work to protect the coating, they begin to fix it relative to the floor (this can be done using mastic, glue or double sided tape). After this, it is recommended to iron the fixed surface with a narrow roller and wipe it again with a damp cloth, not forgetting to leave time to dry the cleaned areas.

Before applying the glue, some experts recommend heating the joint, and this can be done by ironing the seam with an iron through a metal plate, however, this installation stage is not strictly necessary and is left to the choice of the performer.

Applying glue

To prepare for the glue application stage, you need to shake the tube thoroughly and clean its tip, which is then carefully inserted into the gap between the sheets. The glue must be applied gradually, carefully and without haste, pressing on the tube, while holding it with one hand and the needle itself with the other. As soon as the flow of glue has made itself felt, the tip of the tube begins to be carefully guided strictly along the joint, the glue strip should be at least 3-5 mm wide. Only then will welding completely fill the gap and thoroughly dissolve the edges of the panels. There is another way to apply glue to canvases: first, the edge of one piece is coated with glue, then it is attached directly to the floor, and the same operation is repeated for the second piece of material, after which the two panels are moved as tightly as possible to each other and leveled with a roller.

When laying linoleum, the sheets can be joined by hot or cold welding. Both methods do not require special skills, which means you don’t need to seek help from specialists. The main thing is to adhere to the technology of work in one way or another.

Cold welding of linoleum seams

This method is the most popular. But before we describe the technology itself, let’s consider what advantages and disadvantages this type of welding has and what tools need to be prepared.

Advantages and disadvantages of cold welding linoleum

Cold welding of linoleum joints is more popular than hot welding. This is due to the following advantages:

• This method allows you to make the seam almost invisible.
• During installation work, no special equipment is used, in addition to an edge trimmer, which can be completely dispensed with.
• Even novice craftsmen will not take much time to complete the work (several hours at most).
• The technique allows you to accurately join relief seams.

As for the shortcomings, the list here is much shorter. Cold welding is not suitable for working with multi-layer linoleum, as the joint will ultimately be visible. You should not use this method even if insulation is installed under the floor covering.

Tools and materials for cold welding linoleum

Before you start installation work, you need to prepare tools and materials. In addition to the linoleum itself, we will need a roller, double-sided tape, a sharp construction knife, a metal strip, an edge trimmer, and a “cold welding” adhesive composition. The latter is sold at any hardware store.

The consumer is offered several types of glue for cold welding:

1. Adhesive composition type A. It is used to work with new polyvinyl chloride sheets. The substance is quite liquid, which allows it to penetrate thin seams. It is used to connect joints, the gap between which does not exceed 1 millimeter.
2. Adhesive for welding linoleum type C. Used when working with old canvases. During the operation of the floor covering, the seams become slightly wider (1.5-2 millimeters), so choose liquid formulations not suitable for gluing. Type C glue has a more viscous consistency and, after hardening, resembles linoleum in its structure.
3. T type glue. Used by professionals. It was developed for bonding linoleum to a polyester backing.

Important! If you use type C adhesive, there is no need to cover the surface of the linoleum with masking tape.

Cold welding technology for linoleum joints

In contact with linoleum, cold welding, which is essentially a solvent, turns the edge of the flooring into almost liquid material. As soon as the solvent evaporates, and this happens very quickly, the canvases are fastened to each other. This connection is highly durable.

If everything is ready, then you can proceed directly to laying the linoleum. We work in the following sequence:

• First of all, it is necessary to complete all measurements. If there is a pattern on the linoleum, then you should think in advance about how to position the canvas (the image can be located in the center of the room or symmetrically relative to the center). In this case, it makes sense to first draw a diagram and cut the linoleum according to the sketch made.
• The canvases are laid overlapping. The pieces of material should overlap each other by at least 3-4 cm. If there is a pattern, you need to calculate the amount of overlap as accurately as possible. Otherwise, after trimming, its geometry will be disrupted. There is no way to fix this. You will have to either buy new linoleum or put up with the result.
• Using a sharp construction knife, you need to cut the linoleum at the intersection of the two panels in the middle. Both pieces cut right through. To ensure that the cutting line is even, it is necessary to use a rigid metal strip during work. It is advisable to make the cut in one motion. IN construction stores They sell special knives for cutting linoleum, which are much easier and more convenient to work with. However, if you are not going to do repairs professionally, then buying expensive equipment is not advisable.
• Excess linoleum must be removed. It is better to do this with the help of an edge trimmer. First, carefully remove them from the top sheet. Then we put it under the bottom, and start working with the bottom piece. If you don’t have an edge trimmer at hand and you don’t think it’s necessary to buy one, you can use a sharp construction knife or scissors. If special equipment was used when cutting linoleum, then the excess linen can be removed without a knife.
• At the next stage, the junction of the canvases is glued from the inside. Use double-sided tape for this. Doing this carefully on your own is quite difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to enlist the help of an assistant. First, the tape is glued to subfloor. Then you need to lay the floor covering on it (each sheet is laid separately). The seam must be rolled with a narrow construction roller, while pressing the linoleum to the floor.
• Before applying cold welding, it is advisable to seal the seam with masking tape. So that during further work it does not lag behind the surface of the linoleum, it must be pressed. The most convenient way to do this is with the same paint roller that was used in the previous step. This is done in order to glue mixture, which is quite difficult to remove, did not get on the surface of the linoleum. And so that you can get to the seam, use a utility knife to cut the masking tape along the joint line.
• Some experts recommend slightly warming up the joint before applying cold welding. To do this, you need to place a metal plate 15-20 cm wide on the seam. We install the iron on it and connect it to the network. As it heats up, it will warm up the metal, which in turn will warm up the floor covering. Do not overheat the seam.
• All that remains is to apply cold welding. It comes in tubes with a sharp needle at the end, which allows you to seal seams carefully. Before using the glue, the contents of the tube must be shaken and ensure that there is no debris or dust on the needle. Slowly squeezing out the substance, we fill the joint between the linoleum sheets.
• When removing excess cold welding, you must act extremely carefully. The resulting connection is elastic and can spring back. If you trim too much adhesive composition, then a depression will form at the joint, which will be extremely difficult to repair.

Sometimes cold welding is applied not to both sheets at the same time, as described above, but to each sheet separately. First, the edge of one piece is processed, after which it is laid on the floor. Then the edge of another canvas is processed, and it is laid end-to-end with the first. After this, the linoleum is rolled with a paint roller to make the joint invisible. But not everyone can do this kind of work accurately the first time. You can first practice on unnecessary scraps of flooring.

Note! Its strength directly depends on the length of the seam. The strongest joints are the short ones.

Hot welding of linoleum seams

It is advisable to use this method of sealing seams if you have to work with natural materials. When exposed to hot air, they will not melt, and the heating temperature of the edges will reach 6000 degrees. The technique is also used for laying linoleum in high-traffic areas.

Pros and cons of hot welding linoleum

Hot welding of linoleum has the following advantages:

1. Since the procedure occurs when high temperatures ah, the resulting seam is sealed.
2. This method is more reliable than cold welding.

As for the disadvantages, hot welding can be used exclusively when manipulating hard types of linoleum, since they are the only ones that do not melt under the influence of high temperatures. The work requires special equipment and skills to work with it.

Materials and tools for hot welding linoleum

To work, in addition to the floor covering itself, you need to prepare a cord for welding linoleum, a hot air gun, an arcuate knife or scissors shaped like a month.

An alternative to a hot air gun can be a regular soldering iron. However, you should not expect that the quality of the seam made with its help will be the same as when working with a hot air gun. In addition, the soldering iron is not equipped with a thermostat. Therefore, it is not possible to control the heating temperature.

An arched knife can be replaced with scissors, the blade of which is curved in the shape of a crescent. Direct specialists do not recommend using it, because it is almost impossible to carefully remove excess glue with them.

The cord for welding linoleum is similar in composition to the floor covering itself. Under the influence of high temperatures, the edges of the panels melt and the rope penetrates into the structure of the material. The seam made in this way has increased strength. If all the work was done carefully, the joint will not be noticeable when you first look at the floor.

If you see a hot air gun or a machine for welding linoleum for the first time, then preference should be given to the cold method.

Method of hot welding linoleum seams

Hot welding of linoleum involves the use of special equipment. But there is no point in buying it in order to make repairs 2-3 times. Therefore, this method is used mainly by professionals.

When laying flooring and joining seams by hot welding, follow these instructions:

• Unlike cold welding, the sheets are laid end-to-end rather than overlapping. At the junction using construction knife a small v-shaped recess is cut out, the width of which is 2-3 millimeters. The depth should not exceed 2/3 of the thickness of the linoleum. This recess must be cleaned of dirt, dust and construction waste. The best way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner.
• We heat the hot air gun to 450-500 degrees.
• It is necessary to place the welding cord into the prepared groove using a special nozzle. To prevent gaps from eventually forming, it must be firmly fixed between the cord and the canvas at the very beginning of work. Its free end should be parallel to the joint of the linoleum. Don't take too long a cord. Its length should not exceed half the length of the seam. The cords are joined with an overlap (3-4 cm).
• After laying the cord for welding, you must immediately remove the excess adhesive that protrudes above the surface of the linoleum. If it hardens, you won't be able to do it neatly.

Pay attention to how to properly lay linoleum from an aesthetic point of view. If the room has a shape close to a square, then the flooring sheets can be joined both along and across the room. In this case, you need to consider how the light falls. The seam will be less noticeable if it is not exposed to direct sunlight.

Watch a video about welding linoleum below:

We looked at how to glue linoleum using cold welding and what hot welding is. When choosing a method for designing joints, first of all you need to pay attention to what kind of flooring you are going to work with and what equipment is at hand. In addition, it is worth taking into account the traffic flow of the room: in offices or shops it is advisable to seal the seams with hot welding, but in apartments you can limit yourself to cold welding.

Aesthetic appeal and good performance characteristics, variety of design and color solutions, safety and durability of use make linoleum a separate group of modern floor coverings, and the ideal ratio High Quality And affordable price makes its use almost universal.

Methods for joining linoleum

Being a universal floor covering, linoleum is successfully used in residential and office premises, warehouses and industrial areas. To perform high-quality linoleum flooring, the contractor must have extensive experience and knowledge of the basics of installation technology, a professional approach and accuracy. When arranging a floor with linoleum, problems may arise. non-standard situations, requiring prompt and, most importantly, correct decisions. So, for example, during the work process, quite noticeable gaps can form at the joints of the canvases, which can only be hidden and made into a single piece by using hot or cold welding for linoleum. To get a high-quality seam, you must follow certain rules and recommendations.

The main methods of welding linoleum with your own hands are 2 methods:

• hot way
• cold way

each of which has its own undeniable advantages. At the same time, we note right away that the simplest and least labor-intensive method, which does not require special skills, is cold welding of linoleum with glue, while hot welding is very painstaking work, which can only be completed by an experienced professional using special tools.

Hot welding

Hot welding is applicable for sealing seams of commercial linoleum in those rooms where there is a significant intensity of mechanical impacts on the floor surface, for example, in public buildings. This coating is characterized by increased strength and high cost, which means it will require professional skills and a special tool - a welding heater (soldering iron) and filler rods with a round or triangular profile made of plasticized polyvinyl chloride. Note that high-quality welding is possible only after gluing the coating to the floor surface, so the best time to perform welding activities is the next day after gluing.

The technology for welding linoleum is as follows:

Before starting work, edges are pre-cut on adjacent panels specifically to the shape of the rod, thereby forming V-shaped grooves. A welding heater is used to generate hot air streams. Moving through heating elements, temperature compressed air rises and reaches 300-400 °C in the tip area. During the welding process, the torch, and along with it the filler rod, is passed along the joint. The flow of hot air softens the surface of the linoleum and the two sheets are reliably welded under the action of the pressure roller. After the seam has cooled a little, using an arc-shaped knife or a flat chisel, carefully cut off the part of the fused cord protruding above the coating and grind the seam until a smooth surface is obtained.

If you don’t have a welding torch at hand, then you can use a regular soldering iron, which can probably be found on a workbench. However, the result may be disappointing - you will not be able to get uniform, beautiful seam along the entire length of the coating. Therefore, if you need a high-quality, perfectly even seam and you do not have special equipment, then it is better to use cold welding.

Cold welding

So, what does the expression “cold welding for linoleum” mean - a combination of seemingly two opposite concepts? The answer lies in the technology of connecting two canvases - a special glue, being a solvent, turns the edges of the material into a liquid state in a short period of time. The canvases are connected, and after the solvent evaporates, an aesthetic connection of increased strength is formed. Technological process cold welding completely eliminates the treatment of linoleum with hot air.

The end result - a strong and even connection - is in no way inferior in quality to the result of a connection based on temperature melting, and there is no need to purchase an expensive soldering iron. Therefore, to connect household covering sheets, as well as to obtain an intricate or complex (in shape and configuration) seam, experts recommend using the method of cold welding of linoleum, the price of which is affordable for any category of buyers. The main disadvantage of the method is that the adhesive contains volatile solvents that are harmful to human health. Therefore, when performing cold welding, ensure fresh air movement in the room.

Cold welding of linoleum with glue: varieties

Depending on the glue used, cold welding can be of two types:

• cold welding with A-glue,
• cold welding with C-glue.

Have you purchased linoleum and, having barely had time to lay it out, want to combine several of its parts into a single piece? Then use the first type (A), designed specifically for welding seams of “freshly laid” coating. But if your floor covering has had time to sit in the apartment for some time, and you begin to notice slightly loose seams, then it is better to use the second method (C). The main difference between glue A and glue C is consistency, in other words thickness.

C-glue is much thicker, since its task is to connect the separated joints of two canvases, and this is several millimeters. By pouring glue C between the covering sheets, you fill the empty space, which, after drying, forms an extremely strong bond. Cold welding can be done without tape, since the thick glue will not spread, which means that the likelihood of unwanted melting of the coating is zero.

How to glue linoleum using cold welding with A-glue?

A-glue “works” in a completely different way: new parts of linoleum tightly laid on top of each other must be bonded. The glue actually melts the edges of the coating, forming a solid and perfectly smooth panel. Unique properties glue ensures a high-quality and durable weld on the floor covering, especially if it is securely glued to the subfloor.

Technological features of cold welding

Creating a Weld

If the flooring has been purchased but not yet laid, then the primary task will be to trim the sheets to obtain a minimal seam. To do this, overlap two parts of linoleum (at least 5 cm). The cut line will be located in the middle of the overlap. Using a pencil and a ruler, markings are applied, along which the material is subsequently cut with a special wallpaper knife. The edges obtained in this way will fit perfectly together.

The reliability and durability of the weld, and linoleum in general, are determined by the strength of the fastening and the immobility of its edges. It should be remembered that glued linoleum does not deform during operation, it is not afraid of wet cleaning in the room and even rearranging pieces of furniture. The covering can be glued to the floor using glue or double-sided tape.

If your room has an area of ​​more than 20 sq.m., then gluing the covering is a mandatory stage in the design of the floor space.

Cleaning the future seam

Since the glue contains harmful volatile solvents, gloves become a mandatory attribute of the welding process. Using a vacuum cleaner, thoroughly clean the joint from particles of dust and dirt. If water gets into the seam, wipe it dry.

Since cold welding, coming into direct contact with the front surface of the floor covering, can make it less attractive and spoil the overall impression of the interior, you should think about protecting the edges of the linoleum panels, especially if the linoleum has glossy surface. To avoid unpleasant surprises in the form of damaged, melted coating, you need to use wide, single-sided masking tape. It can be glued in two strips to each panel along the edge, or one strip can be glued to the future weld. Then carefully cut the tape at the connection area, avoiding possible damage coverings.

The photo shows soft linoleum, for welding which two strips of masking tape are used.

Cold welding application

To perform cold welding, you must carefully cut the tape over the joint of the panels, and when applying the adhesive composition, you should take into account the presence of a “needle” on the tip of the tube, along which the glue will flow. Therefore, to avoid excess glue getting onto the surface of the coating, keep a cotton swab ready. Slowly apply glue to the joint between the panels being fastened. To do this, just run the tube along the seam, evenly dosing the composition along the entire length of the surface to be treated. While working, maintain the height of the glue strip at 4 mm and monitor the movement of the needle strictly along the cut.

There are two ways to apply glue:

The first method is to apply glue to two canvases at once, as in our example. The glue that gets into the seam interacts with the coating and polymerizes.

The second method is to apply glue to only one panel, which is processed separately and then attached to the floor surface. Next, the adhesive composition is applied to the second canvas. They are laid as tightly as possible next to the first one and carefully leveled, thereby ensuring high-quality joining of the glued pieces.

The method you choose is determined by your convenience, the consistency of the adhesive, the current condition of the flooring and other factors.

After the glue has dried (1-2 hours), you can safely walk on the floor.

Removing excess glue

After the glue has dried, you can remove the masking tape.

When performing cold welding, some of the adhesive may come out. There is no need to rush to remove excess during the welding process, since the adhesive may peel off from the coating, and this can lead to a decrease in the quality of the weld. In addition, there is a possibility that, using dirty tools, the wet layer of glue will become dirty. And finally, the last argument is that dried glue is easier to cut off.

Note! Fresh cold welding is a little springy, and at the moment of tension when cutting, a depression may appear, so it is recommended to remove excess in two passes.

As you can see, cold welding of linoleum is a simple job that absolutely anyone can successfully handle!

You can learn how to cold weld linoleum at a high quality level and in a short time from the video on YouTube.

The advantage of modern repair methods and technologies is that professional work techniques can be easily repeated by anyone without serious financial costs. Even such a process as reliable and durable gluing of linoleum. It is enough to have the necessary funds and some tools on hand.

To understand all the intricacies of working with floor flexible material, you need, first of all, to know basic characteristics and product classification. This will definitely come in handy in the future.

So, linoleum (Latin linum - flax, oleum - oil) is roll material, used for decorative and protective floor finishing. There are a lot of varieties, let’s name the two most common:

Natural(Forbo, DWL, Tarkett)

This is the very first type of linoleum products. Made from a mixture of resin, linseed oil, wood flour, beeswax, fillers and pigments. All components are mixed in special mixers, and the resulting “dough” is rolled out onto a fabric base (jute, linen, poskon). Today this is the most expensive and safest type of product for health and the environment, better known as marmoleum.

PVC linoleum(Tarkett, Juteks, Grabo)

This is a product made of thermoplastic mass, coated with a special protective layer - transparency. The base can be foamed polyvinyl chloride (VPVC) or synthetic felt (polyester fiber). High-quality material is moisture-resistant, durable, non-biodegradable, easy to install and maintain.

The range of polymer and natural linoleum products is huge. According to the scope of application, there are:

By structure they produce:

• Homogeneous - a homogeneous layer, the pattern in which is repeated throughout its entire depth. This series includes commercial and specialized coatings.
• Heterogeneous - a multilayer material consisting of a protective layer, a decorative base layer and a base.

According to the class of wear resistance to abrasive loads, it is divided into coatings of 21-23 (household), 31-34 (semi-commercial and commercial) and 41-43 classes (commercial and specialized).

The number of decors can be envied by any other finishing material. They produce smooth and structured linoleum like boards and palace parquet, matte porcelain tiles and glossy marble, textiles and even with images of paintings, graphic drawings, etc.

And if 2 or more pieces are mounted, then a problem arises - how to fix the seam? We will describe the features of this technology below.

How to glue linoleum at joints

To prevent the seam from coming apart in the future, you can secure it using an aluminum or plastic threshold. But this method is not suitable for many. Therefore, it comes to the rescue here chemical method– cold or hot welding. Let's take a closer look.

Cold welding

This is an adhesive polymer mixture that consists of almost the same components as PVC linoleum. Tetrahydrofuran or synthetic rubber compounds are used as a base. The mechanism of action is simple: upon contact with the flooring material, the adhesive composition reacts with it and slightly melts the edge. The result is that the edges are joined, the seam is almost invisible, waterproof and durable.

The material works on natural and PVC linoleum of all types - from household to commercial. Most often the product is used for work in residential areas.

Of particular importance is the composition of the material - homogeneous or multilayer. The type of adhesive mixture used depends on this. Such giants as Forbo, Tarkett, Werner Müller produce the following types of cold welding:

Products processed by cold welding can be used in the temperature range from -40 ºС to +60 ºС. Any variety is slightly toxic and flammable, so you need to protect it from fire, heat, and use chemicals when working personal protection(gloves, glasses, respirator).

Hot welding

This term denotes a process, the essence of which is the following: a welding cord of a color suitable for PVC or natural marmoleum is tucked into a special nozzle for a hair dryer, melted in it and applied to the area where the linoleum is being glued. The excess is cut off, and the seam is strong, resistant to deformation and stress.

Welding cords are made from complex polymer compounds with the addition of pigments. Since the product is produced in a wide range of decors, the manufacturer’s range of styling accessories includes at least 100 shades. If you wish, you can order your own shade, but the execution time is not short - up to 3 months.

Bonding technology using a welding cord is recommended for all linoleum products in rolls and tiles. Since specific tools and equipment are required, this method is most often used by teams of professional installers on commercial homogeneous and heterogeneous coatings, which are laid over large areas.

Application of cold welding

You will need:

The surface under the linoleum should be clean, free of dust and foreign debris. The coating should also be thoroughly wiped, removing dust and greasy marks. According to manufacturers' recommendations flooring material First it is glued over the entire area, after a day you can process the edges of the canvas.

First of all, you need to get a so-called tightly cut seam, that is, an absolutely even and well-fitted joint. To do this, the edges of the linoleum pieces are overlapped (from 3 to 5 cm). The strips are pressed with a steel ruler or strip and both sheets are cut simultaneously with a sharp knife or a special cutter. The trimmings are removed.

If necessary, one of the linoleum sections is fixed to the base using double-sided tape. If you are afraid of damaging the upper protective layer, then you can glue paper to the edges before trimming adhesive tape, and after work - remove the remains along with the trimmings.

Scheme of working with cold welding glue.

Now you can glue masking tape onto the resulting tightly cut seam. It will protect the linoleum from excess glue, but it is necessary to seal the joint by rolling the tape with a rubber roller. You need to carefully make a cut in the middle with a knife and heat the coating a little with a hairdryer. Next, put a needle attachment on the tube, insert it into the cut and carefully squeeze out the glue, gradually moving along the seam. After 10-30 minutes (according to the instructions on the package), you can remove the paper tape

When working with type C cold welding, the joint area must be cleared of debris, glue residues, etc. Place a nozzle with a flattened nozzle on the tube and slowly fill the seam with transparent glue with a small margin (adhesive compounds shrink up to 75%). Allow to dry for 2-24 hours depending on the width of the gap. If necessary, repeat the process by applying glue over the old one.

It is not advisable to fill gaps of 4 mm or wider with two parallel or more seams. It is better to glue a strip of linoleum.

Hot welding work

To glue the joint of commercial linoleum sections, you will need:

Advice! The temperature and speed of welding work must be adjusted based on the characteristics of the coating. For optimal results, it is advisable to carry out a test weld on scrap or a small section.

Work order:

Groove Formation

For all types of linoleum, a semicircular cutter is suitable, with which a gap is cut, which will subsequently be filled with the melted cord. If a homogeneous commercial coating is being laid, it is better to use a triangular hand tool or a milling machine. In the latter case, it is necessary to leave a small gap of 0.3 mm wide between the canvases.

Carrying out welding

Measure the length of the future seam and cut the appropriate amount from the roll. Insert the tape into the nozzle and turn on the hair dryer. The device must be held straight so that hot air falls on the cord and partially into the cut channel. Press the edge of the heated strip to the joint and, gradually moving, completely fill the groove with it.

Removing excess

After the cord has cooled a little, trim the protruding part with a knife with a guide. Final adjustment and smoothing should be carried out after the work area has cooled completely.

The finished coating should be monolithic, waterproof and almost invisible. To get the perfect result, entrust styling to professionals.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for selecting them. Just submit in the form below detailed description work that needs to be done and you will receive offers by email with prices from construction crews and companies. You can see reviews about each of them and photographs with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

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How to glue linoleum in five different ways

Joining linoleum has always been one of the most problematic stages of installing this type of coating. At the moment, perhaps the most popular method of joining panels is the so-called cold welding method, but it is far from the only one. In this article I will try to explain in detail how to glue linoleum using cold welding, and also talk about other effective ways Do-it-yourself linoleum joints.

Existing methods of joining materials

It would be wrong to label and categorically state that there are good and bad docking methods. Since these methods exist, it means that they are in demand in some niche. Since linoleum joints can be glued together in different ways, the main thing here is to correctly determine which method is suitable in a particular case.

Method No. 1 - landing with double-sided tape

Let us say right away that this method is fast, very easy to implement, but not very reliable and not durable. After all, adhesive tape, even the highest quality, was originally developed for temporary, lightly loaded connections.

Double-sided tape is a good thing, but it has one flaw: such tape will not adhere tightly to a porous surface. Therefore, before installation, any base, be it cement strainer, tree or concrete slab, it is necessary to treat it with strengthening primer.

Coverage on felt base It is impossible to properly connect using double-sided tape.

When the soil has dried, you need to remove the protective tape from below and glue the tape itself to the base. After this, with one hand you pull off the top protective tape, and with the other hand you simultaneously press the edges of the joined sheets. Upon completion of this procedure, it is advisable to roll the joint well with a hard roller. That's actually all the wisdom.

In fact, this method has only two main and only advantages. This low price and simplicity. Otherwise, I personally can recommend it as a temporary option lasting a maximum of a year. Then you will have to glue it as expected or change the coating.

Method No. 2 - overhead sill

The range of plastic and metal sills, although not particularly large, is usually possible to choose from.

As for complexity, the instructions for installing such thresholds with your own hands are not far removed from double-sided tape.

• Each such threshold has ready-made holes for fixing with self-tapping screws. First, you need to cut the strip to size and, placing it at the junction of the two panels, mark the entry points of the screws;
• After this, take an electric drill and use a six-millimeter drill to make a series of holes according to the markings. Plastic dowels are immediately inserted into these holes;
• Now all you have to do is attach the bar and secure it with self-tapping screws.

Everything would seem beautiful, but the problem is that the threshold is overhead, naturally it will stand out strongly on the floor surface. Since it is not necessary to glue the linoleum here, in fact, you just press it well, this method is perfect as an interior transition in the area of ​​the doorway. Or to connect two different coatings, for example, tiles and linoleum.

Method No. 3 - mastic

This method can safely be considered the patriarch of this direction. Mastic is a type of adhesive. In those days when the range of linoleum was, to put it mildly, small, all coatings of this type were glued to the base using mastic. The method is quite reliable, but if everything is done as expected, it will not be possible to dismantle such a canvas without tearing it.

Nowadays, quite often people prefer to use mastic only to join two canvases. Many craftsmen believe that gluing linoleum over the entire area is only relevant for production and public premises with a high load and on this I agree with them. At home, there is no point in completely fixing the canvas; it won’t go anywhere anyway.

This method is somewhat reminiscent of gluing with double-sided tape. In the same way, before gluing the joints of linoleum, the base will need to be primed, and the edges of the canvases will need to be degreased with any alcohol-containing solution. Just don’t try to degrease it with acetone or any solvents, because some models of linoleum can simply be corroded by these compounds.

After this, in the area of ​​the joint, mastic is spread on the base with a spatula, and the edges of the canvases are pressed; for reliability, you can also roll the joint with a hard roller. Only mastic is not adhesive tape; it will dry for about a day. And until it completely hardens, the edges of the linoleum should be pressed tightly. Usually a board is placed at the joint and a weight is placed on it.

Method No. 4 hot welding

Hot welding is a thorough and very reliable method, but it is not suitable for everyone. In this way, only high-density linoleum can be connected, which is most often used for arranging floors on industrial enterprises and in administrative buildings. Models intended for the residential sector are too thin and “loose”; at this temperature they simply melt.

But anything can happen in life, and perhaps in your case this will be what you need. I warn you right away that compared to other methods, hot welding is the most expensive.

To work, you will have to get a special hot air gun. In appearance, it looks like a regular soldering iron, only it is heated using hot air. In principle, the price for it is high, but the instrument is specific and highly specialized, so it is better to rent it.

Hot welding can only be performed if the coating is glued over the entire area of ​​contact with the floor.
First, the canvas “sits” on the mastic, and after it has firmly set, you can begin to weld the seams.

• Hot welding is similar to classical welding methods. The solder here is a special polymer cord. It is inserted into the nozzle of a hot air gun and, as it melts, fills the seam between the two sheets;
• First you will need to widen this seam. Some craftsmen prefer to simply join two edges with a small gap of 2 - 3 mm; theoretically, this can be done, but this is not entirely true. It is better to first join the two sheets without a gap, and then cut a V-shaped groove along the seam. Professionals use a special cutter for this, but at the amateur level a good sharp knife will do; I use an oblique shoe knife;
• The cross-section of the cord should be a couple of millimeters larger than the groove between the blades. It goes without saying that there should be no debris in the groove, and the edges of the linoleum should be degreased;

• Naturally, each soldering iron has instructions, plus there should also be an annotation on the packaging of the polymer cord. But if for some reason you do not have this information, then keep in mind that the average melting temperature of the polymer ranges from 300 to 500ºC;
• When the cord is inserted and the instrument is dialed desired temperature, the tip is brought close to the gap between the sheets and, as it is filled, the hot air gun moves along the seam. I simply place the tip on the groove and move the soldering iron;

It is better to solder the canvases first from one wall to the middle, and then in the same way, from the opposite wall to the middle.
The joints are joined with an overlap of about 30 mm.

• The joint must be filled completely, so that the liquid polymer protrudes above the joint. If the cord doesn't melt well, add a little heat. After finishing welding, leave the joint alone so that the polymer hardens;
• Now you will need to take an arched knife and carefully cut off the excess that is protruding. Just don’t try to “put things in order” while the polymer is still liquid, the fact is that it tends to shrink and if you rush, you will have a groove in place of the seam. Best time, this is when the composition has already set, but is still warm.

There is one more nuance in hot welding technology. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to achieve an invisible seam. The welding will be clearly visible; creative individuals often use this when creating original panels from linoleum.

To be completely honest, hot welding is only as easy as you read about it. When it comes to direct welding, without experience, you will have to tinker a lot. Therefore, it makes sense to think about hiring a specialist.

Cold welding or the most popular method No. 5

Without the experience to qualitatively and, at the same time, imperceptibly weld a linoleum seam at home with your own hands, the easiest way to join it is by cold welding.

To explain in a nutshell, this is pure form gluing surfaces. Only instead of regular glue, special compounds are used. They are selected depending on the type of linoleum and the specific connection conditions.

Types of adhesive composition

Since you won’t be able to properly glue linoleum with anything, you will need to choose one of three options.

After all, if the package says “Cold welding”, this does not mean at all that this composition is right for you.

• “Cold welding” type “A” is most often used. This composition has a fairly liquid consistency, thanks to which it easily penetrates into the pores of soft linoleum. Typically, such linoleum is used for residential premises; some also call it foam, although this is not true. If you are going to glue a new canvas, then this is exactly your option;
• The composition marked “C” will already be much thicker. This consistency allows gluing surfaces with a gap of up to 3 - 4 mm. Theoretically, it can also be used for gluing new coatings, but type “C” was developed more for repairing torn sheets and gluing open cracks. This connection method is somewhat reminiscent of hot welding with a hot air gun, only instead of a soldering iron and a polymer cord, a wide linoleum seam is filled with a jelly-like substance;

• Cold welding type “T” is not suitable for amateurs at all. It is used in a narrow niche of polyester-based PVC coatings. Working with such a composition requires serious practical skills; in addition, it is quite toxic and it is dangerous to work with it without training.

Cold welding technique

The question of how to properly glue linoleum using cold welding, due to its particular popularity, deserves more detailed consideration. As I already mentioned, the type “A” is most often used here. Any package of this type is equipped with a kind of adapter with fine needle, through which it is convenient to introduce the composition between tightly connected canvases.

You don't need too many tools. What you need, you will need to buy a roll of masking or regular stationery wide tape and a sharp knife, just don’t take a stationery knife, it is too weak to cut linoleum. To ensure an even cut, you can take a metal ruler or any even metal strip. I use a long building level; in addition to being level, this tool also does not bend.

When you lay the flooring in your home, first cover the room with linoleum in the position in which it should lie and leave it there for a week. During this time, it will adapt and all you have to do is glue the seams, evenly trim the excess fabric around the perimeter and press it along. Believe me, it won’t go anywhere and will stay there for as long as you like.

This method of installation allows you to do without gluing the canvas over the entire plane, which is not only cheaper and simpler, but here you can also easily remove the canvas and use it for other purposes. For example, if you decide to change the coating, then old linoleum It won’t be difficult to turn it up and take it to the dacha.

The base, that is, the floor, no matter what it is made of, must be clean and perfectly flat.
From my own experience, I’ll tell you, don’t expect that thick linoleum will hide cracks and uneven floors.
When the canvas settles, all existing defects will appear on it.

In order to ensure a tight, imperceptible seam without the slightest gaps, the two canvases are overlapped. If matching the pattern is not required, then an overlap of 3–4 cm is sufficient, in other words, the width of the tape. When dealing with a pattern, decide for yourself, but after cutting, the pattern on adjacent surfaces should completely match.

Cold welding glue is an aggressive thing; a carelessly falling drop can easily ruin the surface of the linoleum. In order to protect ourselves from such incidents, we will use tape.

At the beginning and in the middle of the future connecting seam, a tape of adhesive tape is glued along the bottom sheet. After this, in the same place the same tape is glued to the top sheet.

Now place a metal ruler in the middle of the tape and press it tightly, after which you cut this entire cake all the way to the floor with a knife. By removing the trim from the bottom and top, you will get a tight, even connection, both sides of which will be protected with tape.

Next, you will need to take a tube of cold welding, immerse the thin needle of the adapter deep into the seam and fill it so that the composition protrudes slightly from above (the needle is immersed approximately to the middle of the thickness of the fabric). You need to squeeze out simultaneously with the movement of the tube along the seam.

Any glue that comes out from above does not need to be wiped off immediately. The edges of our canvases are protected with tape, so you should wait until the composition is completely dry, and then, by pulling off the tape, you will get a clean seam. If there is any small excess left, you just need to carefully cut it off. If everything is done correctly, the seam can only be found by touch.

Linoleum repair

In the case when you do not plan to change the coating, but there are unpleasant cracks on it, you can repair them using cold welding grade “C”. The main thing here is to carefully fill only the crack itself with the compound, because accidentally smeared glue can make it even worse than it was.

Before gluing torn linoleum or cracks in the canvas, the defect site will need to be thoroughly cleaned and degreased. After this, tape is applied directly to the tear site. Now take a blade and cut out this very crack along the edge in the tape. It’s like a “surgical operation” when everything around is sealed and access is only to the site of the tear.

Next, you will need to carefully fill the crack with glue and wait until it dries. At the end, the tape is removed, and the protruding patches of glue are carefully trimmed with a knife. Theoretically, you can use any tape, but in this case I prefer to work with transparent stationery tape. The crack is clearly visible through it, making it much easier to cut out.

If we're talking about about a fresh rupture of the canvas, for example, due to careless movement of furniture, then while the edges of the canvas have not yet become severely deformed, it makes sense to glue with cold welding type “A”. Much the same way you would glue new surfaces together.

In this case, I stick tape, make a cut along the contour of the tear, fill the seam with glue, and cover everything on top with a rag or paper napkins and place a weight. Excess glue is absorbed into the rag, the next day, the tape, along with whatever is stuck to it, simply comes off, you only need to lightly clean the seam with a blade and that’s it.