By: Monte Leeper
Q. We have a problem with our floor in the Kitchen. This inlaid linoleum is very old, over 50 years, and until recently held up extremely well. However, now the flooring is beginning to "bleed". Every time I wipe it the color comes off. By now the whole surface seems peeled. I don't know what to make of this and would be very grateful for your help. We hestitate replacing the flooring until we know the cause. Many thanks for your comments.
A. A twenty-five year old is old enough to be out of the house, even if it is your floor. It does seem strange that the floor had suddenly begun to loose color or finish. I can only guess that the composition of vilnyl and color has begun to break down, oxidizing or serperating. This can be caused by the introduction of heat, sunlight, or a cleaning agent that dissolves the surface.
Today, many flooring products are composed of color that is fused so that it goes all the way through, instead of being surfaced adhered as your flooring possibly was. The imprint of pattern in your linoleum will probably continue to come off, due the cleaning method you currently use.
When you tell the doctor that your "elbow hurts when I go like this," they used to say, "don't go like this," which is the simple solution. Obviously you have to clean your floor. It may be time for a more durable flooring. This time, look for a thicker color coating or a fused material. Mannington, Armstrong, and others make good strong floor products available at most carpet and flooring stores.
Or, you could just move a chair over the spot and come up with a clever reason for why it has to be there.
