I hate to have to admit this :oops: but you can actually do this to a cutting mat. When I first started quilting I am mostly self taught so was all "learn by trial and error" mostly error :lol:
Anyway I had my blade done up too tight so had to use too much force to get it to move, chopped up my mat pretty good, once I realised what I was doing just turned it over and used the other side. Am starting to see daylight in places now so is getting time to get a new one, can't complain though, it has done me 12 years since I loosened my blade :lol: