Putting it over a concrete floor is the simplest way to install vinyl -- in most cases, you need only sweep and vacuum the concrete. Loose-lay the tile. If the water beads when you are washing it, it most likely already has a sealer applied. You must use a trowel with notches on at least one side to apply the tile adhesive to the concrete. You will most likely need several coats. Deciding whether to seal the concrete is part of the preparation. If your concrete subfloor was just poured, you’ll need to allow it to properly cure for a minimum of 60 days before your luxury vinyl flooring installation begins. With just a little extra work, you can seal your concrete floor and still make it suitable for vinyl tile. This is an optional step, but can really benefit your tile installation in the long run. Apply the grout and wipe off the excess grout with a damp or wet sponge. You can use a household cleaner with a degreaser to remove oily, waxy or greasy spots or stains. Rinse suds or chemicals with clean water and wait for the floor to dry. Installing self-adhesive vinyl tiles over concrete is not always easy, especially if you remove carpets from the concrete base. Let the surface of the concrete completely dry before installing tile. Use grout to fill in the cracks between the tiles. Check that your newly cut tile fits back into your layout before you start to lay the tile. Think of it as a protective coating that seals the top layer of the tiles and then binds them to one another. Before installing self-adhesive vinyl floor planks or peel and stick PVC tiles, the moisture content of the concrete subfloor should be as low as possible. The basement stays dry (we have a sump pump), although the humidity level is … Wipe up any dust from sanding with a damp rag. Good ventilation will also help your sealer cure faster. In addition, you cannot apply sealer over paint. Use a level to ensure the repairs remain even with the rest of the concrete surface. How to lay vinyl flooring on concrete. The notched trowel forms parallel ribs so the tile can be pushed into the surface. It seals porous or powdery surfaces and ensures an excellent bond between the final paint coating and the concrete. Vinyl flooring is very durable and fits over most surfaces, including concrete. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Let the grout dry for about 1 hour, then use the wet sponge to remove any grout film left on the surface of the tile. This is particularly imported when laying tile, as the floor needs to be as level as possible. If you install tile in any wet areas of the home, seal the edges of the tile with caulk. Most floor tiles made from the 1920s to the 1960s contain asbestos and require special procedures for removal. 7. After laying all the tile over the surface of the concrete slab, allow the tile to rest for 24 hours before finishing the tile. Plain concrete is typically a dull grey and useful as a floor material thanks to its hardness and durability rather than its appearance. If they bead readily, the floor has been sufficiently coated. dont just glue the edges - if you do this and the vinyl tried to grow and shrink with tempreture changes, you will get bubbles as the vinyl cant move around the egdes and will just push up. Vinyl flooring is cheap, cost effective and perfect for areas such as kitchen or bathroom that have to deal with high levels of humidity. Step 3 - Mix. Mitchell Brock has been writing since 1980. The size and layout of the floor, the condition of the floor (whether or not there are any cracks or holes in it, for example), the type of sealer that is being applied, and the area you live in are all factors that will impact the price of sealing a concrete floor. Make sure the surface of the concrete is dry before applying any adhesive. The next step is to apply a concrete sealer on the floor surface. Sand the floor with a rough-grit sandpaper. Wait for the cracks to dry, then fill them with a concrete filler. Concrete Floor Sealer is the ideal way to treat your garage or utility room floor prior to painting. Use grout to fill in the cracks between the tiles. Before putting the planks down, however, I want to seal and waterproof the cement - not for moisture coming up from below, but to prevent damage from moisture seeping down between the planks (because I have kids, grandkids, and pets). You will have to clean and prepare the concrete surface before installing any tile. Currently, there is only a fairly new concrete slab in good condition; the walls are sheetrock over concrete block. Sweep the floor to remove as much dust as possible, then wash it with household detergent and water. If a high amount of moisture is present in the concrete (over 3 lb according to a calcium chloride test) it is best to use a moisture vapor barrier coating. Fortunately, concrete floors can be covered with a variety of more attractive materials, including vinyl tile, which is simple to install. After ensuring that the floor is level, install the moisture barrier sheeting of polyethylene film, overlapping the edges by 8 inches. How to Seal Floor Grout Before Installing a Base Cabinet, How to Clean Kitchen Grease From Tile Grout, Contempo Floor Coverings Inc.: Protect Vinyl Flooring From Moisture, The Home Depot: Installing Self-Stick Vinyl Tiles, Glaze 'n Seal: How to Seal and Maintain Stamped, Colored & Acid Stained Concrete, How to Prime Bare Concrete Floor Before Setting Porcelain Tile. While vinyl is still used today, if you plan on using the system, it is vital to be aware of the hardwood flooring adhesive properties. You can use an electric sander. It is best to wait several weeks after application before installing your tile. After laying all the tile over the surface of the concrete slab, allow the tile to rest for 24 hours before finishing the tile. How to Seal a Concrete Floor for Tiling. How to Seal Concrete Floor Before Installing Your Carpet. Concrete contracts and expands at a different rate from the thinset mortar used to install tiles. You need to clean any paint, sealant or glues from the surface of the concrete. Seal … Adhesive sticks to the rough surface of the concrete and acts as a sealant for the pores of the concrete surface. Some laminate flooring comes with a foam backing. Installing tiles on concrete subfloor requires plenty of preparation, but it can be done without a contractor. Take some water and mop the surface to remove any dirt, dust or small debris. Determine how much flooring and materials will be needed. In order to determine what concrete sealer to use it is best to perform a calcium chloride test to determine the moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) of a concrete slab.. Different types of tile must be installed for outdoor patios. While researching vinyl tiles or planks, you've likely heard mention of vinyl floor sealer or vinyl composite tile (VCT) sealer – a solution that creates a barrier between the vinyl tiles or planks. For installation of vinyl flooring you need a smooth, even surface for the underside of the flooring to achieve the best contact for adhesion. A concrete floor should be sealed to protect against moisture, but the sealer can interfere with the tile adhering to the floor. Remove baseboards and molding. You will need to use an acid-based solution, like muriatic acid, to rough up the surface if the top of the concrete is still smooth. The ribs will collapse making a bed for the tile, between the surface of the concrete and bottom of the tile. Once you clean all these agents off the top of concrete, you can begin preparing the surface. The tiles will also stick to ceramic tiles if they are untextured. Do not allow the sealer to form puddles. Stir or shake the sealer thoroughly, then apply it over the floor with a paint roller the way you would … We will be installing a floating floor in our below-grade basement, so we can use it as a family room. Your floor must be able to absorb the sealer. Avoid using the room where you have applied the sealer for 72 hours while it cures. Installing vinyl flooring is one of the easiest jobs for the do-it-yourself homeowner. A concrete sealer prevents moisture from staying underneath the ceramic tiles. 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. Scrape off excess with a putty knife and allow the filler to dry. Also, ensure that the concrete is level. The floor should feel lightly textured but do not sand through the sealer coat. Before the wide spread use of urethane adhesives, vinyl moisture barriers could be installed with common adhesives used to install any vinyl floor. If you’re unsure about yours, remove a tile and send it to a local asbestos abatement firm for testing. Add about 10% to that number to account for any possible mistakes and warped boards. You can also use a brush or a sprayer. Allow the sealer to dry for one to three hours between coats. If it tests positive, follow these asbestos abatement procedures. Stir or shake the sealer thoroughly, then apply it over the floor with a paint roller the way you would to apply paint to a wall. Loose-lay tile to check the size of cut pieces. Had To Know: How to Slate Tile Over Concrete, Floors Transformed: Installing Tile Over Vinyl, Wood, & Concrete, Custom Patio Designs: Installing Tile Over Concrete, National Tiles: What Are The Differences Between Indoor And Outdoor Tiles. A concrete floor with a too high moisture content can wreak havoc on a vinyl floor. Apply the grout and wipe off the excess grout with a damp or wet sponge. Before using the sealer, ensure that it is mixed thoroughly. Snap a chalk line across the center … The floor must be as clean and stain-free as possible. If there is a significant trench where the grout is – fill it and seal it. 4. The flooring associate at The Home Depot Canada suggested using vapour barrier with tuck tape to seal the concrete. The floor is ready for your vinyl tile. The tiles will also stick to a concrete floor providing it is covered with a latex screed/self levelling compound. It may also be used as a hardwearing clear finish over concrete, that is easy to keep clean. Mix the compound and apply to all trouble areas. The hardest part of the job is often cleaning and leveling the concrete base. Sanding will help the vinyl tiles grip the floor. Your floor must be as smooth and flat as possible for the vinyl tiles to look their best. To test the seal, sprinkle a few drops of water over the floor once the sealer has dried. no need to seal the concrete, tho if theres any sign of moisture you need to address that problem first. Although the flooring comes in a variety of forms, planks are installable with a minimal amount of tools and measuring. Gather Your Supplies. Urethane adhesives changed that because of their strength. When it’s ready, unroll your vinyl flooring … Before you get to work, take the time to gather the supplies and tools you’ll … If you have some experience with installing flooring or are DIY hobbyist, it shouldn't take you more than a day to install vinyl plank flooring on concrete. Before installing laminate flooring over concrete, prepare the surface properly. A freshly screeded floor should be sealed before tiles are fitted unless a screed has been used that does not need sealing/priming, this screed is usually dust free so it seems as yours would require sealing … His work includes media relations and copywriting technical manuals for Johnson & Johnson, HSBC, FOX and Phillip Morris. This flooring has underlay attached. Choosing to lay tile on a concrete slab is a good idea. Remove any carpet or other flooring. As you don’t have to install underlay for Vinyl Flooring or LVT, this can go directly onto the concrete subfloor. Any place that is cracked, chipped or beveled, must have concrete patch or leveling compound installed. Rinse the surface with water, and then allow it to dry overnight before laying the vinyl tile. Conduct a moisture test on concrete floor. Moisture will get through, so even if you don’t add an additional underlay, you do need to seal the concrete. With plywood subfloor- that’s totally enough. A concrete floor seems like the perfect base for a vinyl floor installation. It will also provide a stronger adhesion between mortar and concrete. However, after a few years it is likely that you will need to replace your old flooring… if you choose to try your hand at laying vinyl floor over old vinyl read this article first so you get the best results possible from your new floor. But with concrete? Keep pets and children out of the room. The tile is designed to resist the elements, while handling direct sunlight and frost better than indoor tiles. The concrete makes a firm surface that the tile requires. However, allow 24 hours for your flooring to acclimatise by leaving it out of its packaging. Be sure that you have plenty of ventilation as you work. Concrete sealant or paint prevents the adhesive from sticking properly. Concrete is a common subfloor material, and in general, it’s easy to prepare for a luxury vinyl flooring installation project. Multiply length times width of the room. If you have a vinyl floor, you may be able to install your flooring directly on top of it. Wait 72 hours before continuing. While concrete sealer may appear dry, it cures slowly over time. Brock graduated from the University of Southern California in 1980, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English. Clean out any cracks with a wire brush and wash them as thoroughly as possible. Tape the seams using a polyethylene tape. This has to be absolutely smooth for it to work, though. It is one of the cheapest solutions, and at the time of writing it could set you back just a few hundred bucks, depending on the size of … A concrete slab makes a good surface on which to lay tile. After I finish prepping the CEMENT floor, I want to put down the Allure Trafficmaster Vinyl Plank Flooring - the kind with the grip-strip. Step 2 - Seal the Concrete. You need to check the surface of the concrete to ensure it is level. Use filler to fill in any dips and apply a floor leveler for any humps in the floor. Concrete is a smooth, stable surface so the vinyl will go down smoothly and easily.