Hot welding is the best method of joining separate fragments of commercial linoleum. Its implementation will require specific skills, special equipment, as well as consumables - a cord for welding linoleum.
Important! Only the commercial type of coating is hot welded, since the household one simply cannot withstand the heat. Due to the scale and complexity of the work, professionals are most often involved in its implementation.
What is the cord for?
Even the most experienced master will not be able to lay linoleum in such a way that at least a minimal gap remains between its individual fragments. Over time, debris and moisture get into these slots, spoiling the material, the seam can be lifted up during intensive use. To obtain a monolithic and durable coating, seam welding is used.
During this process, PVC cord for hot welding (filler rod) melts and fills the space between the linoleum fragments. After it hardens, a homogeneous seam is formed, which does not differ in its properties from the surface of the coating.
Previously, fluoroplastic tape was used for hot joining linoleum, but due to its infusibility and low strength of the resulting seam, this technology was abandoned.
Cord selection, leading manufacturers
When choosing this consumable, it is recommended to follow a simple rule: linoleum and the cord for connecting it must be produced by the same company. That is, if it is planned to lay Tarkett linoleum, then it is better to take the cord from Tarkett as well.
All rods have similar characteristics:
- diameter - 4 mm;
- round or square section;
- bay length - 100 m.
Many firms sell the cord not in whole bays, but in running meters, the average price is 40 rubles. for 1 running m.
The main difficulty lies in the correct selection of the desired shade. To facilitate this task, a design technique is sometimes used based on the contrasting color of the weld.
Leading manufacturers in the Russian market:
- Tarkett,
- lg,
- FORBO,
- juteks,
- Gerflor,
- LENTEX.
The listed companies have been working in our country for a long time and value their reputation. This can be evidenced by the voluntary certification of PVC linoleum (GOST 7251-54) and other PVC products.
The characteristics of the cord and the requirements for it are regulated by GOST 19111-2001 "Molded PVC profile products for interior decoration." Symbol - Welding rod M GOST 19111-2001.
Required Tools
For the procedure for sealing joints of PVC linoleum, the following devices will be required:
- Edge cutters, and, if necessary, strip cutters.
- To glue the coating to the floor, you will need a roller, brush and spatula. For a more secure fixation, you can use a roller or a rubber hammer for tamping.
- Special hot air gun for weldingequipped with a 5 mm nozzle.
- A sickle-shaped knife, with which excess cord is removed.
Welding process
Work is carried out in the following order:
- Linoleum is glued to the floor. To obtain a minimum seam, it is recommended to impose one fragment on another and then cut immediately through two layers.
- A groove is made along the edges of the joined pieces, slightly not reaching the base of the linoleum, subsequently filled with the molten mass of the cord.
- The resulting joint is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust.
- Welding is carried out at a temperature of 350 to 400 °C. It is for this range that the welding machine must be adjusted. Before starting work, it must be heated.
- A piece of cord is cut off, slightly larger than half the length of the seam.
- The welding operation starts from the wall, pressing the tip of the cord into the groove and melting it with hot air.
- The hair dryer is moved at a constant speed, making sure that the cord has time to melt. Its molten mass should rise slightly above the surface of the coating, since after cooling the material will shrink. If too little polymer gets into the seam, then a groove will form in this place.
- Since two pieces of cord are used for hot welding, moving from opposite walls, they are joined in the middle of the room with an overlap of about 20 cm. For less visibility, the joint can be placed under stationary furniture.
- While the material is still hot, cut off the excess with a sickle-shaped knife. Do this in one continuous movement with the handle in the same position relative to the floor. This stage is difficult and requires a proven skill.
- Secondarily, excess melted cord is cut off after it has completely solidified. It is impossible to start this operation immediately: the polymer decreases in volume during cooling. Therefore, there is no need to rush.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the hot welding method are obvious: it can be used to obtain a seam of any configuration, turning the floor covering into a single whole. This not only makes it more attractive from an aesthetic point of view, but also extends its service life.
The main disadvantages are the possibility of soldering only thick commercial linoleum and the complexity of the work. That is why in the conditions of an apartment, hot welding of the coating is rarely used.
