Laid linoleum moves in one direction. Is linoleum dangerous to health? Examples and variants

The debate about whether linoleum is harmful to human health and the environment does not subside. Let's try to understand this difficult issue.

Varieties of linoleums

Let's start with the fact that linoleums are a large group of floor materials. Different types different chemical composition individual components, the number of layers, the purpose. So, the varieties of linoleums:

• Domestic;
• semi-commercial;
• Commercial.

The presented types are intended for service in different conditions, respectively, have characteristics adapted for operation:

• Household is intended for laying in residential premises - in houses and apartments. Harm from linoleum should be absent;
• Semi-commercial has a higher wear resistance than household. It is intended for service in small commercial premises with medium traffic - in offices, in offices;
• Commercial designed for use in areas with high traffic - in the corridors of public buildings, in reception areas, in conference rooms, in classrooms, etc.

Another criterion for dividing into groups is the composition:

• Synthetic linoleums;
• Natural flooring.

The composition of natural linoleum includes:

1. Linseed oil;
2. wood flour;
3. cork bark;
4. Resins of trees, more often conifers;
5. Jute fabric and other natural ingredients.

Natural linoleum is not harmful to health, its components do not emit hazardous substances and fumes. Experts and users note that the quality natural material far superior to artificial turf. However, not every family can afford to cover the floor with cork linoleum - the material costs like a good parquet.

Artificial linoleum canvases are much cheaper than natural ones, therefore they are widely used in mass construction.

Attention to classification

To minimize the harm to health of linoleum, when choosing a material, you should pay attention to the class designation:

• Class 21, 22, 23 - completely safe material without harmful components. It must be used in living quarters, in bedrooms and children's rooms;
• Class 31, 32, 33, 34 - linoleum for offices, premises for public stay of a periodic nature (semi-commercial);
• Class 41, 42, 43 - coating allowed only for industrial premises. This material can emit toxic fumes under certain conditions, so its use in administrative and residential buildings is excluded.

Composition of synthetic linoleum

Suppose, with a household coating of classes 21-23, it is clear that the material is harmless, but it is not cheap either. Is semi-commercial linoleum harmful? What will happen if you lay it in an apartment as a less expensive finishing material?
To determine the essence of the problem, consider the composition of a standard PVC product in layers:

1. polyacrylic or polyurethane protective layer;
2. Protective PVC layer up to 0.8 mm thick;
3. Picture;
4. Foamed PVC;
5. Fiberglass;
6. Backing - foamed PVC, felt or jute;
7. The bottom layer is protective.

Is PVC linoleum harmful or not? Polyvinyl chloride itself is safe, because many of the objects around us are made of this material. However, the layer is placed under a protective layer of polyacrylic or polyurethane. If the integrity of the layer is violated and at the same time heated, PVC is able to evaporate, volatilize in small quantities. However, this is rather a matter of comfort and the danger from the smell is highly questionable.

The most harmful linoleums

In addition to natural and PVC linoleum coatings, budget materials are sometimes found in stores:

• Alkyd with polyester resins. These components, when evaporated, cause diseases of the eyes, skin, and central nervous system.
• Rubber synthetic rubber is also dangerous when releasing substances - vapors provoke respiratory diseases and allergic reactions.
• Nitrocellulose is still a dangerous thing.

Until recently, linoleums on these components were used everywhere due to their low cost. How harmful linoleum is, we can judge even by the fact that it was banned for use in public places. And yet, to this day, this is found in building supermarkets and buyers prefer it because of the low price, not knowing about it. reverse side medals.

What is to be feared?

The main danger is fraught with plasticizers and stabilizers, which are part of the adhesive layers. If you ask the question: can linoleum emit harmful substances, then these components will be the answer. They are released when the layers are abraded and heated by sunlight or warm floors. In cheap coatings, manufacturers often use low-quality raw materials. To eliminate the risk of acquiring this, you should ask the seller for safety certificates.

globally

The main problem today is the production and disposal of linoleum. For these reasons, artificial turf is banned in Europe to save the environment. In the manufacture of the main danger are plasticizers and polymers, evaporating heavy vapors into the air.

Disposal is not easier - burn old material officially prohibited. When burning, it emits black acrid fumes, which are dangerous for both humans and the environment. Under natural conditions, the canvas is processed for more than one hundred years. So kilometers of old linoleum lie in landfills and exude harmful substances during decomposition and solar heating. This is really a problem of our state, where the use of linoleum is not thought through to the end.

What is more harmful laminate or linoleum

If we compare the popular and affordable linoleum with laminate, we get the following:

• Security. Laminate is a material based on fiberboard, but polyester toxic resins are also included. The only way to protect yourself from their harmful effects is to purchase certified products from responsible manufacturers.
• Thermal insulation. Linoleum retains heat well, while its safety is guaranteed only at room temperature. On warm floors, laminate should be laid that does not soar harmful substances even after abrasion of the upper protective layers.

If you choose between linoleum and laminate, you need to take into account other points: wear resistance, installation, cost, the specifics of the room. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately determine the winner in this case.

Fire safety will be a key feature: linoleum, as they said, emits toxic gases, and laminate does not support combustion, does not smoke. Let's give him the lead.

Summarize

Linoleum in our houses and apartments has a place to be, but to choose floor material should be approached consciously:

• You should not buy very cheap canvases;
• You should always ask for certificates for products;
• Know the safety classes of linoleum;
• Do not lay material in children's and bedrooms, as well as in rooms where there is often sun.

At right conditions operation, the coating will last more than 10 years without harm to the health of others.

Today, linoleum remains the most popular type of flooring. It is practical, easy to install, versatile, has a relatively low cost, has a huge number of options for colors, patterns and textures. However, linoleum also has its own “spoon of tar”.

Many families are faced with the problem of waves on linoleum. They can appear both immediately after its installation, and after some time. These waves are unpleasant not only for their unaesthetic appearance and the fact that they spoil and “cheapen” the interior, but can also interfere with the comfortable movement of people and the movement of furniture around the room. In addition, the presence of waves significantly increases the wear rate of linoleum and the time for the next repair may come much earlier than you planned.

Why did linoleum go in waves?

There can be several reasons, and the correct definition of the cause means almost guaranteed getting rid of the problem.

1. When laying linoleum forgot to leave a gap between it and the walls, or the gap turned out to be insufficient for a particular brand of linoleum, which is why its edges rest against the walls and waves form.

2. Himself plinth can also cause the fact that the linoleum went in waves - if it is pressed too tightly against it and simply does not allow it to be fully dealt with.

3. The reason for the wave on the linoleum may be lurking in the dust or moisture underneath. If the base was not sufficiently cleaned and degreased, or moisture got on it before laying the linoleum, then waves in the future are almost guaranteed.

4. In large rooms, linoleum is not just laid - it glued to the base special glue. If the glue is of insufficient quality or simply not suitable for this purpose, your linoleum can also go in waves.

5. Alas, linoleum, like some other synthetic materials, sensitive to temperature changes. Moreover, the damage to linoleum caused by them can be irreversible. Therefore, it is better not to allow them.

How to smooth waves on linoleum?

The good news is that in most cases you can remove the waves on linoleum on your own and you won’t have to change the coating.

1. First of all, check if the skirting board is pressed too tightly against the linoleum maybe it just prevents him from straightening up. In this case, reinstall the baseboard, leaving a small gap between it and the floor.

2. If the skirting board is not the culprit, try to remove it and check if does linoleum rest against the walls whether the clearance is sufficient. If necessary, cut off the excess linoleum, straighten the coating and install the plinth in its rightful place.

3. Check the place under the wave formation, Is there moisture or dust in there?. If there are, remove them, after which you should smooth out the waves and glue this place to the floor with glue suitable for this purpose. If the surfaces are concrete, a preliminary primer is required.

How to avoid linoleum going in waves?

Smoothing waves on linoleum is not the most difficult undertaking. However, it is even easier to take preventive measures to avoid this problem at all.

Carefully read the installation instructions and check with the consultants in the store for the features of the purchased coating. For example, some types of linoleum should be “decomposed” for several days, and only then can plinths be placed on them. When laying linoleum, follow all technologies, do not allow moisture to get under it, use only quality materials and funds. Following the rules will help you avoid the need to smooth out the waves on the linoleum in the future.

Linoleum and laminate are materials that are approximately in the same price category. Both serve the same purpose, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In order to determine which is better, it is necessary to compare their characteristics and properties.

Linoleum - disadvantages and advantages

The floor covering, which sellers present as linoleum, in 80% of cases is not. In fact, it is a synthetic material made from PVC. Real linoleum should consist exclusively of natural materials:

• Linseed oil;
• limestone powder;
• wood resin;
• jute fabric;
• Wood flour.

Finding natural flooring on store shelves is extremely difficult, and the reason for this is its high cost. The domestic buyer will not agree to overpay for material that can be bought much cheaper. However, it would be illogical to compare natural linoleum with laminate, which is a completely artificial surface, because they are in completely different price categories. However, if the choice is as follows: natural linoleum or laminate, then the choice must be made in favor of the first without any comparisons. In case of pvc coated need to be discussed.

There are 3 types of synthetic linoleums:

• Commercial. It is used in rooms with high traffic, because it has a high density. It also has the property of anti-slip, therefore it is the safest. It can be seen in public institutions: hospitals, educational institutions etc.
• Domestic. Ideal for residential areas. It is not as durable as a commercial one, but residential traffic is also lower.
• Semi-commercial. Unlike household, this type is more durable and wear-resistant. It is used in residential premises and in public buildings.

Speaking about the advantages of this material, the following should be highlighted:

• Small cost;
• Ease of installation. Laying can be done even by a person who does not have specialized knowledge;
• A wide range of colors, thanks to which you can choose a coating that would "fit" into the interior of the room;
• Low thermal conductivity - the surface will almost always be warm;
• Long service life. This material is not subject to decay, as it is made of synthetic substances. The shelf life of the material is approximately 30-50 years.

There are also disadvantages:

• Inferior in quality and environmental friendliness to a wooden floor;
• Under the weight of furniture, this coating can be pressed through;
• Frankly cheap linoleum will be deformed under the influence of high or low temperatures;
• Appearance. A very controversial drawback, which, however, can be compensated by imitation of a natural floor, tiles, etc.

Disadvantages and advantages of laminate

For some reason, laminate is called laminated parquet, but this is completely wrong. This flooring has nothing to do with parquet, because parquet is wood, and laminate is a synthetic multilayer finishing material. It has 6 wear resistance classes that determine its quality. high classes wear resistance (31-33) are used in offices, gyms, cafes, as well as in other premises with high traffic of people. Classes 21-23 apply to residential areas. Like linoleum, laminate "knows how" to imitate different materials- stone, wood, sand, etc.

It has specific benefits:

• Small cost;
• Large range of colors, many colors, it is possible to imitate an expensive wooden floor;
• Simple installation - the material does not need to be glued, it is mounted in a "lock" way.

There are also disadvantages:

• Short service life. If the laminate is not moisture resistant, then its service life will not exceed 5 years;
• Since it is a synthetic material, it is much inferior to natural coatings;
• If a heavy or sharp object falls on the floor, the coating (its top layer) is damaged;
• Laminate requires very careful maintenance. Also, excessive washing can have a bad effect on its appearance;
• Even with correct styling seams remain leaky, as a result of which sand, dust and moisture can enter the joints.
• Gradually, the condition of the edge will deteriorate, and the floor will begin to creak;
• In the event of a small flood in the apartment, the laminate will have to be completely changed.

So what's better

Both materials are inexpensive, non-natural, are in approximately the same price category, have an attractive appearance, are fairly simple to install and have good stability. There are no more similarities, but there are differences, and there are many more:

• Life time. Linoleum "lives" 2-3 times longer than laminate;
• The washing up. Care must be taken when washing the laminate, while linoleum can be washed safely and with plenty of water;
• Strength. Laminate is more resistant to external influences (shoes with heels, animal claws, etc.);
• Extraordinary situations. In case of flooding, linoleum will not suffer, but the laminate will have to be completely changed;
• Transportation. Carrying laminate in boxes is much more convenient than dragging a large roll to the floor;
• Environmental friendliness. Laminate is more environmentally friendly due to the fact that it contains less "chemistry";
• The level of sound insulation of linoleum is much higher.

There are more pluses in favor of linoleum, respectively, as a conclusion, we can recommend using this particular floor covering. However, the number of pluses here is relatively small and the choice must be made based on your own considerations.

Blisters and bubbles - air cavities under the surface of linoleum

Linoleum is a popular flooring that attracts with economy, a variety of color and texture options, and ease of installation. However, new coatings are not always pleasing to the eye due to the appearance of blisters that violate the aesthetics of the floor. The sources of their formation can be: non-compliance with the technological rules of laying, improper operation, force majeure.

Consider possible reasons floor covering deformations and most effective methods self troubleshooting.

Why does linoleum swell on the floor in a house or apartment?

If the main reason for the deformation of the laminate is moisture, then there may be several reasons why linoleum swells:

1. Insufficient surface preparation.
   The material can simply repeat the irregularities of the base - pits and tubercles. In places of loose contact with the base, condensation forms, which leads to the appearance of blisters. Unpleasant consequences can occur if the rolled material was laid on a cement-sand screed that did not have time to dry sufficiently.
2. Water intrusion under the cover.
3. Violation of laying technologies.

Bubbles under linoleum can be the cause of non-compliance with laying requirements

We list the basic conditions for proper installation:

• The roll must be spread out before laying and kept for about two days.
• Work should be carried out at a humidity not higher than 60%, temperature - not lower than +15°C.
• If the goods were transported from the store at low temperatures, then it must be left folded in the room for at least a day.
• During installation, the coating must be carefully leveled with a rubber roller from the center to the edges of the room.

Failure to comply with these conditions may cause bloating.

1. Wrong choice of adhesive composition, leading to insufficient adhesion of the roll coating to the base surface.
   Mastic is chosen, depending on the base of the coating. For rooms with high humidity, manufacturers offer special formulations. For products with a felt base, bustilat is used, for wear-resistant vinyl products - acrylate glue, for natural linoleum - humilax. Dispersion adhesive is recommended for mounting antistatic products. The average thickness of the layer of adhesive mastic is 1 mm.
2. Too thick layer of glue. May cause it to dry slowly and form bubbles in some places.
3. Too thin layer of adhesive. It leads to its rapid drying and poor-quality gluing of the material.
4. Sudden and significant temperature changes, especially they can affect thin products.
5. Poor product quality, namely, insufficiently hygroscopic substrate.

Traditional ways to eliminate swelling

If the linoleum is swollen, then the way to correct the situation is chosen, depending on the size and location of the defects.

Swelling of non-glued material near the skirting board

• Plinth removed.
• The coating is leveled, if necessary, fixed with glue.
• Install the plinth in place.

Be sure to level the glued surface

How to remove bubbles on swollen glued linoleum using heat?

If the installation of the rolled material was carried out without gluing with fixing only with the help of skirting boards, then the irregularities can be eliminated by heating, for which:

• The bubble is pierced and a dense tissue is placed on the puncture site.
• Heat the iron and gently iron the place of swelling.
• A solvent corresponding to the composition of the adhesive used is drawn into the syringe, injected into the hole.
• Plywood is placed in place of the bubble, and a load of 15-20 kg is placed on it.
• The injected solvent dissolves the dried adhesive composition.
• The cargo is kept for about two days.

The bubble will help smooth out the iron and thick fabric. Don't forget to set the load

To increase the temperature, you can use a building hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, plastic bottle with hot water. It is forbidden to use a blowtorch.

Eliminating small bubbles on linoleum in the middle of the room

• The bubble is pierced with an awl.
• Carefully squeeze out the accumulated air.
• Liquid glue is injected into the hole with a syringe, the surface is leveled. The amount of glue should be moderate to avoid the formation of new blisters.
• If there are several holes, then after the introduction of glue into one of them, it is sealed with adhesive tape, and then they begin to fill in the others.
• Plywood is laid on the treated area and a load is installed, the functions of which can be performed by a sand bag.

Small bumps are easy to fix

Blisters of considerable size

• Make an incision with a knife. It is not recommended to make it long. If necessary, make two incisions arranged in the form of a cross.
• Remove air from under the linoleum.
• The place of the incision is pressed down with a load to level the material.
• The seamy surface at the incision site is smeared with glue, pressed tightly to the base base.
• A load is placed in place of the incision.

Try using a syringe to gently inject the glue into the former air pocket.

Folk way

Do not overdo it with glue - it should not be too much, otherwise there will only be more swelling!

One of the options that can be done if linoleum is bubbling is to heat it with ordinary table salt.

• The swelling is pierced with an awl or a small incision is made with a knife.
• Salt heated in a frying pan is placed in a cloth bag.
• The bag is placed on the prepared hole or incision, a load is placed on top of it.
• Wait until completely cool.

In what cases the methods listed above are ineffective?

If, as a result of a large amount of hot water not only linoleum gets wet on the floor, but also the substrate, it is necessary to warm the room at a temperature above the standard one. If after such drying the surface defects are not eliminated, it is recommended to call specialists. They can solve this problem with specialized equipment.

How to properly care for roll material to prevent blisters and other damage?

To prevent deformation and damage appearance material, the following rules must be observed:

Wet cleaning with a small amount of water

• Protect from extreme temperature fluctuations and moisture. Wet cleaning is recommended to be done with a small amount of water.
• To avoid, as far as possible, direct sunlight on the surface of the rolled coating. Otherwise, the material will not only burn out quickly, but will also begin to lose working qualities.
• While commercial products have a durable, wear-resistant surface, cheaper home-use products must be protected from sharp-heeled shoes and abrasive detergents.
• Place wooden pads under furniture legs.
• Immediately wipe up staining liquids spilled onto the floor - coffee, strong tea, iodine, ink.

After installation, it is recommended to carry out the first wet cleaning no earlier than two weeks later. To maintain the original shine, experts advise once a month to wipe the surface with drying oil with further processing dry woolen cloth.

Why knowledgeable people choose linoleum: five clear reasons for choosing:

Linoleum is a universal floor covering with a simple structure and a variety of designs.

On the modern market there are several hundred product options, which are divided into categories: by the material used, by environmental friendliness and product purpose.

To understand all the features and opt for linoleum, we recommend that you consider 5 clear reasons for buying this flooring from knowledgeable people.

Why do experts choose linoleum?

First the reason is associated with the versatility of the product. Flooring is laid in shopping centers, factories, hospitals and even apartments. In modern practice, linoleum is divided into household, semi-commercial and commercial, so each client will find the perfect product for their own needs.

Second Budget is a clear plus. At the moment, the product falls into the category of the cheapest on the market in terms of quality-price ratio. The lowest cost is inherent in PVC options, natural consumables are slightly more expensive.

Next practical and important advantage of linoleum is ease of care. Spilled water or a child has inherited dirty shoes? All contaminants are removed quickly and without extra hassle. Use a broom and a wet rag to get rid of such a petty problem.

Fourth the point is related to durability: products will last for several decades, although the quality will decrease over time. Maximum operational properties and physical resistance have products made of PVC.

Last important reason choice - a large assortment range. There are options with unusual aesthetic properties, for example, under a tree. This coloring will provide a beautiful external representation of the kitchen or hallway.

It is important to understand that the material is considered thin and does not always match the external sophistication. Therefore, when performing flooring, you will need to properly prepare the work area, eliminate irregularities, and also choose the right product by color. When operating, try to save the flooring from direct sunlight. The product will not fade and will retain an aesthetic appearance for many years.

As for the choice of linoleum, here one should consider the quality, naturalness and color scheme. Specify specifications from consultants and specialists of stores selling finishing materials.