How To Install Vinyl Tile On Concrete Basement Floor

Vinyl is a beautiful and convenient flooring choice for any basement.

How to install vinyl tile on concrete basement floor.

Once everything is ready start by applying a layer of mortar to the floor. Place a second uncut tile over top of the open space overlapping the tile you just placed below make sure it is flush with the wall then use the bottom to mark the tile beneath. The commercially available mortars generally need to be mixed with a proportional amount of water. Clean and smooth the concrete.

The seams of the vinyl floor should be invisible and smooth. Then prime the concrete see photo 2 with the recommended solution consult the membrane manufacturer s literature. The slab doesn t have to be level for vinyl but it must be smooth and relatively flat. Fill large cracks and dips with a floor leveling compound designed for concrete.

If the subfloor is dry and you use a product with a backing and a robust core you can safely skip the underlayment altogether. Vinyl plank flooring which appears wood like is another option that makes for easy installation and repair when needed. Some planks may need additional wiggling and pushing before they snap into place. For vinyl tile skip the 15 pound felt and apply mastic directly to the plywood.

Cut the membrane so it s 1 1 2 times the width of your tiles. A concrete floor should be sealed to protect against. Skip this step and we guarantee your new tile will crack right over the cracks in the concrete. Sweep and vacuum the entire floor thoroughly before rolling out the vinyl.

This is where the pull bar or tapping block comes in handy. You can install floating vinyl flooring on a subfloor with radiant heat as long as the temperature doesn t exceed the manufacturer s recommendation which is usually in the neighborhood of 80 to 85 degrees fahrenheit. Fortunately concrete floors can be covered with a variety of more attractive materials including vinyl tile which is simple to install. The concrete floor must also be free of cracks or the vinyl tile will eventually sag into the gap.

A thicker grade is a good idea if the concrete is uneven to keep people walking on the surface from feeling the bumps beneath the tiling. You should install shoe molding once the vinyl plank flooring is down. When you reach the walls and have to start cutting your vinyl tile to fit simply line up an uncut tile perfectly with the one just below the open space. Mortar is basically the adhesive that helps the tile stick to the concrete so choose the one that best suits your needs and your current situation.