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Get up on the floor! You have a few options for vinyl floor replacement. If you can, you should lift up the old flooring and make sure the subfloor is in good, clean condition. You can place the new flooring right on the old subfloor after you have cleaned it and scraped off the old glue. If you cannot lift up the old vinyl flooring (as is often the case), apply embossing leveller over the floor. Make sure it is smooth and even so you will not see the old floor pattern through the new flooring when you place it on top.
Vinyl Flooring How-To
Brigitte was able to remove her old floor and clean the subfloor, so she got right to work installing the new vinyl tiles:
- Make a chalk line in the centre of the room. This line will be used to dry fit the tiles.
- As you dry fit from the center of the room out, you may notice that your tiles will have to be cut. Try not to use cut tiles in a door frame or another very noticeable spot. It’s okay to move your centre line if you have to. It’s better to have cut tiles under your appliances or furniture where no one will see them. (Brigitte ended up moving her center lines 6 inches in one direction and 3 inches in the other so that her cut tiles would end up under the refrigerator.)
- Vinyl tiles have an adhesive backing on them. Once you have dry fit the room, you can peel off the backing and start sticking the tiles to the floor. Start from the center line and work out. Make sure you keep all the tiles going in the same direction. (The arrows on the back of the tiles will help you with this.) Sweep the area where you are working to make sure it is clear of any dust. This isn’t some weird allergist tip! It’s just that the sticky stuff on the tile won’t stick to a dirty subfloor. Keep it clean, folks.
- If you have to cut tiles, measure the size you need and use a utility knife and a straight edge to cut along. The tiles will cut very easily. When you place the cut tiles on the floor, be sure to face the cut side against the wall so it will not be visible.
- Using a joint roller, roll over the joints between the tiles to further secure the tiles. Yes a joint roller is a real tool – and no, it can’t be used to help you get a better “filter” on a fatty.
- Dance for joy on the finished floor!
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