Installing Vinyl Tile Over Concrete

Use a self leveler on low spots and or sand high spots of wood or concrete.

Installing vinyl tile over concrete.

This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. Repair any holes or cracks. While you can install tile directly on concrete problems erupt when the concrete cracks or shifts. For these same reasons many people choose to install vinyl plank flooring in bathrooms and basements but you can also install vinyl plank flooring in your kitchen or bedroom.

Then use a level to find any spots where the ground is uneven and apply concrete self leveling compound to even it out. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Self adhesive tiles can reduce the installation time offering you a fully professional look. Don t sand vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos.

Tape a large piece of plastic over the concrete floor securing all edges with duct tape. The concrete floor must also be free of cracks or the vinyl tile will eventually sag into the gap. Cracks in concrete immediately become cracks in the tile. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl.

Although vinyl flooring is flexible it will separate if you install it over an uneven surface so if the concrete has high spots you need to grind them down and if it has low spots or cracks you need to fill them with concrete patching compound. Any minor bumps can be removed with a masonry chisel and small sledgehammer. Ceramic tile over wood tile concrete or vinyl should be installed by using appropriate products that will allow the right adhesion between surfaces. If you were to remove a cracked tile from concrete undoubtedly you would see the same crack pattern below.

If you want to install the tiles properly you should prepare the floor making sure that the surface is clean without any remains of sealers adhesive or anything else. You can lower high spots with a grinder. To install vinyl plank flooring on concrete you ll first need to clean the concrete with soap and water and fill in any cracks with concrete filler. Self leveler is available in powder and pre mixed form and is used to create a flat smooth surface in flooring projects.

The strength of the product is similar to concrete. Always be sure the existing surface has been cleaned and leveled. All of the movement in concrete is transferred to the tile.