Concrete Floor Prep For Vinyl Tile

Install an uncoupling membrane between concrete and tile.

Concrete floor prep for vinyl tile.

Use concrete filler or a similar floor patching compound to repair the damage. Check your wood flooring manufacturer s recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder. Concrete subfloor test the floor for moisture. Then prime the concrete see photo 2 with the recommended solution consult the membrane manufacturer s literature.

This option works best when the concrete floor is in good condition so take care to follow all of the steps below to repair cracks fill depressions and make sure the floor is level. In many cases you can lay tile directly on the concrete surface which is naturally hard and durable. If the subfloors have large cracks then the best course of action is to remove the large part of the slab and replace it with a new one. Also vacuum and sweep the floor to remove any loose dirt and dust.

Before applying the vinyl tile make sure the concrete floor is completely dry. 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. Tape a 3 foot square piece of scrap vinyl to the concrete with duct tape sealing the edges tight.

Leave the vinyl in place for 72 hours. Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the subfloor. Let the primer dry and then apply the membrane photos 3 and 4. 3 spread a thin layer of leveling compound over the seams over.

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. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Fill cracks and depressions in concrete floors with a trowel and the type of gap filler recommended by the vinyl tile manufacturer. Cut the membrane so it s 1 1 2 times the width of your tiles.

Additionally a steps must be taken to ensure that a concrete floor will create a solid bond. As with a wooden subfloor a concrete subfloor must be level for successful tile installation. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. After vacuuming use a dust mop to remove any remaining dust.

Skip this step and we guarantee your new tile will crack right over the cracks in the concrete. Level the floor and repair any damage. Use a long level and tape measure to check that the floor is level.