Floor Prep For Vinyl Tile On Concrete

If you have a vinyl floor you may be able to install your flooring directly on top of it.

Floor prep for vinyl tile on concrete.

Determine how much flooring and materials will be needed. How to prep a floor for vinyl tiles. Vinyl plank flooring with a robust backing has some insulation value but not much so if you want the cold concrete to feel comfortable you may. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl.

This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. Add about 10 to that number to account for any possible mistakes and warped boards. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile. Similar to linoleum a vinyl tile floor resists stains and spills is a snap to mop and maintain and is durable enough for busy kitchens and playrooms.

Do not sand vinyl flooring it may contain asbestos. For more information download our pdf about types of subfloors. Once the compound is dry then you will be ready to apply the vinyl tile. Remove any carpet or other flooring.

Prep your subfloor so that it is clean dry and level within 3 16 inch change per 10 feet. Concrete subfloors are prepared differently than wood subfloors. Use a self leveler on low spots and or sand high spots of wood or concrete. Self leveler is available in powder and pre mixed form and is used to create a flat smooth surface in flooring projects.

Prepare the subfloor repair cracks and holes. That old basement floor with the crumbling vinyl tile may look hopeless but with a little scraping and a few strips of crack isolation membrane you can turn it into a perfect base for new ceramic tile. Multiply length times width of the room. Tape a 3 foot square piece of scrap vinyl to the concrete with duct tape sealing the edges tight.

However laying vinyl flooring over concrete requires a bit more preparation. Inspect the floor and repair cracks pits holes or other uneven patches. It has to be level and even though vinyl is waterproof a floating floor always benefits from a moisture barrier. A concrete subfloor typically requires very little preparation for vinyl flooring.

So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. Use a self leveling compound that is designed for concrete floors to correct this problem. Push air bubbles out to the edge with a j roller or the edge of a grout float.

Regardless of what type of vinyl tile you are planning to install preparing the existing concrete floor correctly will help make the vinyl last for years.