So you got the perfect refrigerator. For the perfect
kitchen. Miles and miles of virgin stainless steel. Perfect
width. A virtual soda fountain in the door. And as your
husband (just a shade less than perfect) pulls it across the
floor to that perfect spot wayyyyy on the other side of the
kitchen, you hear a slight ripping sound. Can stainless
steel rip? Not likely. Your husband gives it another pull.
The same sound. Looking down to investigate (as any perfect
homeowner would), you discover that your perfect vinyl
flooring now has a wide, perfectly-jagged tear. Yikes!

Here is how you can make the perfect repair:

1. Measure the extent of the damage. Width? Length?

2. Is your vinyl flooring relatively new? You should be able
to find the pattern at your local home-improvement or
flooring supply store. If your pattern is unavailable, you
may have to replace the entire floor.

3. Buy enough of the flooring to repair the damaged area and
a little extra to save for future repairs.

4. Cut a piece of the new flooring a bit larger than the
damaged area. A sharp utility knife should do the job
(handle with care!). Use a straight edge or ruler to help
keep the blade vertical.

5. Match the pattern of the new piece with the old at each
edge of the damaged area.

6. Take out your handy dandy duct or masking tape and tape
the new piece to the floor below. You don't want the new
tile to slip, so make certain you have taped it securely.

7. Ok. This is tricky. Use your knife to cut through both
layers of vinyl. Cut around the damaged area (make certain
you cut it just a bit bigger so that you will remove all the
damage).

8. Now remove the new vinyl on top and the piece of damaged
vinyl beneath. If you have difficulty removing the old
vinyl, a hair dryer works great to soften the adhesive!

9. Scrape away all of the old gunk (Gunk. That's a technical
term!) with a putty knife or an old mismatched table knife
(not a steak knife!). Be sure to sweep clean!

10. Using your putty knife, apply adhesive to the back of
the new piece of vinyl. Make sure your kitchen is well-
ventilated. That stuff can be harmful!

11. Press the new piece into place. It's best to start at
the center and work towards the edge to make certain all
those little air bubbles are worked out.

12. If you have excess adhesive around the edges, wipe it up
with a clean, damp sponge.

13. This is the fun part! Take your rolling pin (you DO have
a rolling pin, don't you?) and roll the patch firmly. You
will have to wipe the excess adhesive again.

14. Now you can let the adhesive dry (no dancing on it for
about 24 hours!).

Zowie! Now your perfect kitchen has returned! Wait! Is that
a perfectly awful footprint I see?

Pamela Cole Harris is an editor and writer with 35 years
experience. Visit her website,
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com  for a free newsletter with remodeling, home improvement and decorating ideas for the financially challenged, creatively deficient and
technologically illiterate.

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