Concrete Floor Prep For Vinyl Tile

Use a long level and tape measure to check that the floor is level.

Concrete floor prep for vinyl tile.

Vinyl plank flooring is water resistant and if it has a wpc core it s waterproof so it won t be damaged by the off gassing. Typically the floor must be level and uniform within 3 16 inch every 10 feet. Before applying the vinyl tile make sure the concrete floor is completely dry. Level the floor and repair any damage.

Also vacuum and sweep the floor to remove any loose dirt and dust. Leave the vinyl in place for 72 hours. Use concrete filler or a similar floor patching compound to repair the damage. As with a wooden subfloor a concrete subfloor must be level for successful tile installation.

Fill cracks and depressions in concrete floors with a trowel and the type of gap filler recommended by the vinyl tile manufacturer. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. Skip this step and we guarantee your new tile will crack right over the cracks in the concrete. Please note new concrete floors must be left to cure for at least 60 days before you can install vinyl planks over them.

Install an uncoupling membrane between concrete and tile. Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the subfloor. To prepare your concrete subfloor make sure that it can accept water penetration. Cut the membrane so it s 1 1 2 times the width of your tiles.

Let the primer dry and then apply the membrane photos 3 and 4. Check your wood flooring manufacturer s recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. After vacuuming use a dust mop to remove any remaining dust.

Preparing a concrete subfloor for vinyl newly poured concrete off gases water vapor and typically needs from 120 to 150 days to dry out before it s ready to accept flooring according to milliken company. Tape a 3 foot square piece of scrap vinyl to the concrete with duct tape sealing the edges tight. In many cases you can lay tile directly on the concrete surface which is naturally hard and durable. Then prime the concrete see photo 2 with the recommended solution consult the membrane manufacturer s literature.

Additionally a steps must be taken to ensure that a concrete floor will create a solid bond. 3 spread a thin layer of leveling compound over the seams over. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor.