How do you repair luxury vinyl plank gouges?

Luxury vinyl plank flooring is a popular flooring option for many homeowners due to its durable and waterproof features. However, like any flooring material, luxury vinyl planks can become damaged over time, especially if heavy furniture is dragged across the floor. Deep scratches or gouges in luxury vinyl planks can be unsightly and potentially lead to further damage if left unrepaired.

What causes gouges in luxury vinyl plank flooring?

There are a few common causes of gashes or scratches in luxury vinyl flooring:

• Dragging heavy furniture or appliances across the floor without using furniture pads
• Pet claws scratching the surface
• High heels or other shoes with sharp edges digging into the vinyl
• Dropping sharp or heavy objects on the floor
• Using harsh chemicals or steam mops on the floor

Even small particles like dirt or sand under furniture legs can cause scratches when moved across the floor. The key is to be gentle with the flooring and use furniture pads, area rugs or runners to protect the surface.

How deep can gouges in luxury vinyl planks be repaired?

In general, light to moderate scratches and gouges in luxury vinyl flooring that don’t fully penetrate the wear layer can be repaired. The wear layer is the top protective layer that provides the texture and pattern on the plank. If the damage fully penetrates through the wear layer and into the vinyl or plastic core, the gouge or scratch is likely too severe to repair. Here are some guidelines on repairable vinyl plank gouge depths:

Gouge Depth	Repairable?
Surface scratches, minor scuffs	Yes
Gouges less than 0.5mm deep	Yes
Gouges 0.5mm to 1mm deep	Sometimes
Deep gouges over 1mm to 2mm	Rarely
Gouges penetrating wear layer	No, requires plank replacement

As a general guideline, gouges less than 0.5mm can often be fully repaired, while deeper gouges over 1mm are unlikely to be restored back to new condition. The deeper the damage, the more difficult it will be to achieve an invisible repair.

How to repair minor vinyl plank gouges

For minor surface scratches and scuffs that don’t penetrate through the clear wear layer, use the following repair techniques:

• Vinyl plank scratch repair kits – These contain fillers, markers and touch-up tools designed for vinyl floors. Follow kit instructions to fill and blend scratches.
• Rubbing alcohol – Wipe scratches with alcohol on a clean cloth to remove residue and dirt from the damaged area.
• Magic vinyl plank eraser – Gently rub over scuffs and scratches to buff the texture and pattern smooth again.
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser – Lightly polish over damaged areas to remove scuffs and restore shine.

Always test products in an inconspicuous area first and avoid excessive rubbing which could make the damage worse. The goal is to simply clean and restore the texture of the vinyl wear layer.

How to repair deeper luxury vinyl gouges

For gouges that penetrate into the vinyl more than 0.5mm but don’t fully go through the wear layer, you’ll need to use vinyl plank fillers for an invisible repair:

1. Clean the damaged area thoroughly and trim any loose flaps with a utility knife.
2. Apply a thin layer of vinyl plank filler paste and scrape flush with a plastic putty knife.
3. Allow filler to dry completely according to manufacturer directions.
4. Sand flush with 120-150 grit sandpaper, then smooth edges with 220-320 grit.
5. Apply touch-up coating and sealers to blend repair into surrounding floor.
6. Allow full cure time before regular foot traffic.

The key steps are properly filling the gouge, smoothing the edges, and applying specialized touch-up coatings to blend the repair. Some fillers include finishing kits with markers, paints, or powders to help hide repairs. Be sure to follow all label directions for drying times and coating application.

Tips for preventing future vinyl plank gouges

To help minimize future gouges, scratches and damage to your luxury vinyl flooring:

• Attach felt pads to all furniture legs before moving into place.
• Lift heavy furniture or appliances when moving, never slide them across vinyl floors.
• Use area rugs or runners in high traffic zones.
• Trim pet claws regularly.
• Immediately wipe up spills or water.
• Avoid harsh cleaners like ammonia or abrasive scrub brushes.
• Sweep regularly to remove gritty dirt and sand particles.
• Consider adding vinyl plank floor protectant sealers in prone areas.

Taking preventative steps will help keep your luxury vinyl planks looking like new longer.

When to replace a vinyl plank instead of repairing

In some cases, deep gouges and damage may be too severe to repair. Signs that luxury vinyl plank replacement is needed include:

• Gouges are deeper than the wear layer and into the vinyl core.
• Edges are cracked, lifted or warped around the damaged area.
• Repairs are visible despite touch up work.
• Damage covers a large percentage of the total floor area.

If the gouge penetrates through the wear layer or repair efforts aren’t providing invisible results, it’s best to replace the damaged planks. Fortunately, luxury vinyl flooring is designed for simple plank replacement as needed. Just be sure the new planks match the color, style and fit with your existing flooring.

Professional vinyl plank repair costs

For DIY-averse homeowners or very severe vinyl plank damage, professional repair may be the best option. Vinyl flooring repair costs typically range from:

• Minor scratch filling – $3-$8 per linear foot
• Deep gouge repairs – $10-$18 per linear foot
• Full vinyl plank replacement – $4-$7 per square foot installed

Factors like labor rates in your area and the extent of repairs needed can affect overall costs. Get multiple estimates to compare pricing from qualified vinyl flooring contractors near you.

Conclusion

Repairing gouges or deep scratches in luxury vinyl plank flooring takes patience and the right materials and techniques. For light surface damage, cleaning and re-polishing the vinyl wear layer can often make scratches disappear. Deeper gouges require filling with vinyl repair compounds, smoothing, blending and refinishing. Prevention is also key – take steps to protect vinyl plank flooring from furniture damage, moisture, grit and pet claws. Minor vinyl plank repairs are doable as a DIY home project. But for best results with significant damage, consider hiring an experienced vinyl flooring contractor.