vinyl tile over sheet vinyl

CaroleNJ

I have a sheet vinyl tile floor that looks sorta like 4" tile with grout in my kitchen (350 sq.ft) and want to replace it with vinyl tiles. The floor is not level. My husband pulled up a little piece of it and found that it is glued to the subfloor...no underlayment at all. We have gotten 4 different pieces of advice. 1. Tear up the floor (which sounds like a monumental job) 2. Lay the vinyl right over the existing vinyl (won't the pattern come through?) 3. Lay luan over the existing floor and tile over it, which seems like it will raise the floor (tripping hazzard) and 4. Cover it with leveling compound. I don't like my choices so far!! What do you think?

cer2012

The old pattern would "telegraph" through the new vinyl.
Cement based Leveler with latex additive (some have it in it already) not a gypsum based Leveler would work.
The old vinyl must be clean and wax free.
Older vinyls contained asbestos and requires abatement to safely remove it.
You can not look at it and determine if it has asbestos. It was outlawed in the '70's but material in the supply chain was allowed to be sold. You may have bought vinyl in 1980 that was made back then.
Unless you have it tested; cover, don't scrape or sand.
Luan is the wrong wood. It will delaminate & buckle. 1/4" CDX should be used, properly nailed, & floated with the cement/latex mixture. Allow small expansion joints & stagger joints. Lightly sand leveler & vacuum good!

joecaption

CDX should never be used as an underlayment. It has void and unfilled knot holes in the core. Use 1/4" A/C underlament rated plywood instead.
It has more plys, no voids, ext. glue.

cer2012

Wasn't thinkin right. Answering a question elsewhere about sheeting underlay for carpet and lost track of my marbles for a second. I did recommend underlay board tho. Thanks for catching that boo boo.
When I first started laying floors the dealer would send us out with luan. That stuff will swell and delam as soon as you walk out the door.
Thx again for the catch!

CaroleNJ

Thanks so much for such fast replies. I really appreciate that you share your expertise and experience!
Looks like laying the tiles over the existing floor is out. The floor was installed in 1986, and if I recall correctly it was a new product then, so I am fairly sure that asbestos is not a problem.
Am I correct in believing that the easiest route to go is using leveling compound or 1/4 " A/C? The vinyl would add another 1/8". Is it okay to raise the floor 5/8 of an inch. (there are 3 doorways coming into this room.)
Thanks again. You guys are so very helpful!

JetSwet

Sanded cdx, sorry Joe I always use it for flooring underlayment eeek! Lol

JazMan

Yes Joe, Jet has no regard for specifications or rules. He uses the cheapest ply available and heck with it.

To the rest of you reading this thread (and this forum actually), please do not follow the instruction this man from NY comes up with. It's often very wrong.

Hopefully someone will help him learn the right way to do flooring.

Jaz

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cer2012

You could remove the top layer of the vinyl. Use a utility knife to cut thru the top wear layer and peal it off. Will only work if the vinyl is well adheared.
I will say if it is cushion vinyl, remove it! Sometimes it is easier to remove the layer of subfloor and replace it.
Be sure substrate is smooth and level. ANY imperfection WILL show thru! Skim coate according to directions.
Nail new board 4" on edge an 6" grid in center. Start in center and work outward and use screws or screw nails or ring shank. Galvanized is best but the have to be rust resistant and sank just below flush, like drywalling. Float joints and heads and sand smooth (wear a mask).
Vacuum floor 2 times don't damp mop! You would have to allow a day or so to let it dry completely.

JetSwet

Oh Jaz..... "you" my friend will be the 1st one I will let know when any cdx floor job I have done fails and also the many other installers I know that use it, if there's fails as well I will let you know believe me.

rusty baker

If you want to make mistakes, that is your choice. But why tell DIYers the wrong way? No vinyl company will warranty vinyl installed over cdx.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

JetSwet

I guess I walked into a land-mine of right way or high way with this one.

Aren't ac - Bc and cdx exterior rated there in the same family just which one is the smoothest ac yes but cdx can be just as smooth if sanded.

rusty baker

No vinyl company will warranty vinyl over cdx. That is what should matter.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

JetSwet

But they will warranty over ac ply?...

rusty baker

Only if it's stamped "underlayment grade".

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

JetSwet

Thanks sorry about that.