Cord for welding linoleum, characteristics

Hot welding is an optimal method of joining individual fragments of commercial linoleum. Its implementation will require specific skills, special equipment, as well as a consumable - a cord for welding linoleum.

Important! Only the commercial type of coating is welded in a hot way, since household coating simply can not withstand heating. Due to the size 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 so that there is not even a minimum gap between its individual fragments. Over time, debris and moisture get into these cracks, spoiling the material, the seam can bulge during heavy use. To obtain a monolithic and durable coating, weld seams are used.

During this process, the PVC cord for hot welding (filler bar) melts and fills the space between the fragments of linoleum. After it hardens, a uniform seam is formed, which in its properties does not differ from the surface of the coating.

Previously, a fluoroplastic tape was used to hot mix linoleum, but due to its refractoriness and low strength of the resulting weld, this technology was abandoned.

Cord Selection, Leading Manufacturers

When choosing this consumable, it is recommended to follow a simple rule: linoleum and a cord for its connection must be produced by one company. That is, if it is planned to lay Tarkett linoleum, then it is better to take the cord from Tarkett too.

All bars have similar characteristics:

• diameter - 4 mm;
• round or square section;
• bay length - 100 m.

Many companies sell the cord not in whole bays, but in linear meters, the average price is 40 rubles. for 1 run m

The main difficulties lie 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 operating in our country for a long time and value their reputation. Evidence of this is the voluntary certification of polyvinylchloride linoleum (GOST 7251-54) and other PVC products.

The characteristics of the cord and the requirements for it are regulated by GOST 19111-2001 “Linear shaped polyvinyl chloride products for interior decoration”. Symbol - Welding bar M GOST 19111-2001.

Necessary tools

For the procedure for sealing joints of polyvinyl chloride 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 putty knife. For a more reliable fixation, you can use a roller or a rubber hammer for tamping.
• Special hair dryer for weldingequipped with a 5 mm nozzle.
• A sickle-shaped knife that removes excess cord.

Welding process

The work is carried out in the following order:

• Linoleum sticks to the floor. To obtain a minimum seam, it is recommended to apply one fragment to another and then cut off immediately through two layers.
• A groove is made along the edges of the pieces to be joined, which does not reach the base of the linoleum, which is 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 on this range that you need to configure the welding machine. Before starting work, it must be heated.
• A piece of cord is cut, 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, a groove will form at this point.
• Since when using hot welding, two pieces of the cord are used, moving from opposite walls, then they are docked in the middle of the room with an overlap of about 20 cm on top of each other. For less noticeability, the joint can be placed under stationary furniture.
• While the material is still hot, the excess is cut off with a sickle-shaped knife. This is done in one continuous movement with the handle in the same position relative to the floor. This stage is complicated and requires proven skills.
• Secondary excess molten cord is cut off after it has completely hardened. Immediately to start this operation is impossible: the polymer when cooling decreases in volume. Therefore, you should not rush.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the hot welding method are obvious: with its help you can get a seam of any configuration that turns the floor covering into a single whole. This not only makes it more attractive from an aesthetic point of view, but also extends the service life.

The main disadvantages are the ability to solder only thick commercial linoleum and the complexity of the work. That is why in an apartment, hot welding of the coating is rarely used.