Vinyl Floor Tile & Vinyl Planks

Do the vinyl tiles contain asbestos?

I have some congoleum plank 3x36 applied with an adhesive to a plywood sub floor. The color on some planks has scuffed off and I need to replace these planks.
How do I do this without damage to the adjacent planks?

Pete,
You do this by starting the removal process in the middle of each plank then working to the edges.

How can I loosen up the adhesive? Can I use a hair dryer or is there some kind of solvent I need to apply?

Pete,
Did you type "adhesive remover" in the search engine at the top of this page and look at all of the articles I have on the topic? Just wondering...... :->

Thanks, I can do that.

I am looking for vinyl plank flooring which you like so much. Decoria has narrow planks in oak look which are very attractive. They add Nano-Silver which creates an anti-microbial shield. I am afraid to use this microscopic product with my grandchildren. What would use advise?

Jane,
When you and I grew up there were no products that had the anti-microbial ingredients. You and I are obviously still alive....... Does that help you select the product that will give you peace of mind?

I installed vinyl plank with self adhesive about 2 years ago. When laid it was beautiful but recently they have begun to separate leaving white gaps. How can I correct this and avoid it happening again?

Stephanie,
I would think you would have to determine what is moving - the planks shrinking or the subfloor beneath the planks.

They are laid over old vinyl flooring. It is only the ones closest to the wall. I have not put down my shoe moulding yet. I cut them so the butted as close as possible to the base moulding.

They are laid over old vinyl floor tiles that were not loose or seperating

I intend to install vynil tile on a concrete floor. There are spots in the concrete, about the diameter of a softball that are about 3/16" higher than the surrounding area. Is this OK? How flat should a floor be?

Denis,
That is a Mountain....... You need to feather that hump out. The floor needs to be VERY flat and in the same plane.

I'm getting read to install these vinyl planks in my bathroom over the existing linoleum. However, there is a small portion where the old vanity was that is the bare wood subloor, which has some uneven places. Do I need to use a leveler before installing the planks? Do I need to rip up all the linoleum to make sure what's under it is level?

Shannon,
You need to follow the instructions that came with the product. Read all of my Vinyl-Flooring and Tile columns. Defects in the subfloor can telegraph through your new floor.

We just finished our basement, which is partially below ground, and have no idea what the best flooring would be. The only time we've had any water was when the catchment in the corner overflowed from the drain tile (no pump) and that's only happened twice in 34 years. I watch it now when we've had tons of rain. It is also pretty cold in Minnesota right now so should we wait to install anything glue down until it warms up?

Linda,
Cork or vinyl. You can also do slate, but that is a ton of work. If the air temperature is fairly constant in that space year round, you can get to work tomorrow.

what are the known issues w/ wood look vinyl planks or vinyl tiles, when used in bathroom floors?

Raul,
The issues are they look great if they are installed correctly.

I read somewhere that trafficmaster was the low end of vinyl plank. I need something waterproof for the basement. Do you know of a better vinyl plank with a reputation to last?

Francine,
Yes I do. I mention them in the other columns I have about this exact topic. Those columns are in the Flooring section of my website.

Tim,

Did you install the Vinyl hardwood planks in your basement? If so what were the product's pros and cons?

My carpenter husband isn't convinced that this product will fare well under heavy furniture in our basement.

Please respond before he brings the dreaded carpet samples!!

Have you had any experience with Allure floating vinyl plank or Konecto brand? My husband thinks the Konecto brand is better. Would like your opinion.

Do vinyl planks stand up to dogs' toenails? Which flooring does better in that regard: vinyl plank, laminate, wood?

Thank you!

Can vinyl planks stick to plywood?

We built a playhouse w/ plywood floors but want to place another kind of floor above the plywood. The playhouse is about 1/2 ft. off the ground. Any suggestions?
Thank you!

I am interested in Stephanie's comments regarding the separation of her vinyl planks. I would be installing the plank vinyl over a hardwood floor. Would there be a problem with the planks shrinking? I didn't realize that vinyl tiles shrink at all.

The vinyl planks I am thinking of putting in my kitchen are Konecto vinyl planks 12 ml coated with aluminum oxide. I love the look but am afraid as to me it is a fairly new product. Are you familiar with this product? Our first choice was ceramic tile but our dishwasher had to be pulled out to install granite countertops and it was a tight squeeze getting this out and we currently have sheet vinyl. If we put down ceramic (will have to have cement board underneath as we are on upper level) and the granite counter top will not be able to be moved there will be no way we can remove the dishwasher should the need arise. Do you concur or might you have a solution to this issue? Your guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thres Harper

I installed the vinyl floating planks in my kitchen approximately 1 year ago. I have been very cautious in cleaning in fear of removing the finish. What is the proper cleaners and cleaning techique to preserve the flooring for many years.

We just love it........you can't tell it from the real hardwood it adjoins in the living room.

Can the Trafficmaster Allure Vinyl Planks be installed in an RV or does extreme hot/cold effect it?

I was wondering about the durability of this type of flooring and the recommended usages. How long will this type of product last in a bathroom or a kitchen? Is it advisable to put this type of flooring in a bathroom, or will it let water seep between the cracks and rot out the floor beneath? Is there a coating you would recommend putting on the tile (similar to a urethane) to prevent leakage or is something like that even necessary once the adhesive is applied?

I am getting ready to put down some new vinyl tile. I have removed the old carpeting (that was glued down to plywood), and am trying to determine what the best choice is for underlayment/prep. Can I use a leveling compound over the old adhesive from the carpet or do I need to remove that adhesive first?

I recently installed vinyl plank flooring with self-adhesive just as Stephanie did in above question. We have had to patch an area in the ceiling and the falling dust has revealed a few tiny gaps inbetween some of the planks--the dust has adhered to the adhesive and will not come up by mopping, etc. Just wondering what product, if any, can be used to fill in any of these tiny gaps so that dust or anything else cannot stick to any exposed adhesive between planks. Any advice???

thanks

Can Traffic Master planks be placed on a concrete slab w/ radiant heat???

You mentioned black and white checkerboard. I am looking for red and white checkerboard, and cannot find 12" residential red tiles ANYWHERE! Please help!

I had Karndean - Knight vinyl plank flooring installed in our beach home on a newly remodled wood floor. All flooring was gutted and backer board was installed prior to the vinyl flooring. It is beautiful except after 1 month we are seeing bumps, several straight lines and the appearance of float marks. What could be the cause of this and what can be done to correct it.

Janice

What are your thoughts on the sheet vinyl that looks like hardwood? We are considering this for our (new construction) house, but have never seen it in person other than the small sample book the builder gave us.

The manufacturer is Mannington, if that makes a difference.

I installed Trafficmaster Allure resilient flooring and it came out good for the most part. However, I didn't install a couple of planks correctly in the beginning and the planks appear elevated and not flush with the rest of the floor.

Is there any way to flatten them and make them fit in (e.g using an iron on top of an newspapers and trying to literally melt it in there)? I used the whole box, I just need a couple of planks. How hard would it be to get a couple without having to buy another fifty dollar box?

I have had the opportunity to procure some vinyl plank flooring that was laid for about three (3) weeks. Upon taking it upseveral pieces were damaged (rushed). In addition I noticed that the adhesive along the sealing edge of most of the planks pealed away to one of the sealing edges. what do I have to do to be able to reuse these planks? Do I have to replace the adhesive to both sides? Thanks Ronmsqvd

i was wonder what kind of adhesive i can use on a allure floor for extra hold on the seams. i will be putting it in next week and i have heard of so many stories of it seperating.i also plan on using the rollers like recommended. thank you

hey can i ask if vinyl tiles + hard wood good for bathroom floorings.. i have a project 2 storey house and the second floor should be wood materials. There is a bathroom in the second floor. What should i use material for bathroom flooring.. plss can someone help me plss email me at schwinn_89@yahoo.com. tnx

I want to install vinyl plank flooring over top of an existing lino floor. Can the new vinyl planks be glued directly onto the existng lino?
What do I need to do to prep the floor? Thanks for your help.

I recently had a toilet overflow creating a flood of 4" of water throughout my NYC condo. My floor was cement covered with carpet squares. Now that the damp carpet has been removed I am interested in Vinyl planks with the look of wood.
1) Do I need a sub-floor?
2) Can the vinyl tiles stick directly to the cement floor?
Please advise.

HAve purchased the vinyl plank wood floor for my daughters toys room. First having to remove carpet on cement that was glued down. So wondering how clean of the glue or film needs to be cleared. Not getting to far scraping it off! Would a subfloor be easier? Menards also sold use some primer to use on the concrete floor?

I was thinking about installing vinyl planks in my downstairs room, which has a concrete floor. What sort of prepation (washing, etc.) do I need to do to the floor before installing the planks. Also, can I install the vinyl planks right onto the concrete floor? Thank you so much for your help.

Todd

I am purchasing a house that is half ceramic tile and half carpet. Needless to say, the carpet is coming up and I would like to lay the vinyl planking in its place. Do I need to raise the subflooring height in order to have a level surface or do you have any suggestions on how to marry the two surfaces properly?

I am in the process of re-flooring my kitchen,hallway and foyer. The vinyl plank seems to be the least expensive while looking the best. However, everyone is telling me that it will start to peel up, separate, etc. Is this true with this type of flooring? I really want something durable and will last a long time with the budget I have at the moment.

I am using vinyl planks on my staircase, what can i use to finish at the corners?

Where would I be able to purchase the vinyl plank flooring. I have looked at my local stores and have not been able to find it. I live in Michigan.Thank you.

Can the plank flooring be laid on a cement floor?

I am replacing ceramic tiles with vinyl planking on a cocrete floor. Do I need a vapor barrier and or an underlay. Thanks Brian

We enclosed a deck built last year to make it an all season 'sunroom'. We still have the deck planks on the floor. First, what is your opinion of caulking the spacing (cracks) and just staining the floor? The room is enclosed all the way around the ground but is not insulated. If you think this would last, what type of caulk would you recommend? My second question...is it advisable to use Konetco vynal flooring over luan (sp) on top of the deck flooring?

Thanks,
Pam

Dogs..I own two Shelties. I've looked at the Allura flooring from Home Depot and am not impressed. The glued seams over time come up and on some floors, there is a nice black line between the planks. What brand of vinyl plank flooring do you recommend?

Thanks,

Tom

I'm considering installing plank vinyl flooring in my basement bathroom and an office. The office had kanga back carpet in it, do I need to resheet it? And there is stick tiles in the basement- can you tile over it? If not any prep?

Lastly- the office has a chair w/ rollers- will the texture wear w/ the chair rolling over it?
Thanks

Can vinyl flooring squares be put down on top of dura-rock cement board? My wife has decided to go vinyl instead of ceramic tile that the dura-rock was laid for.

Thank you.

i just read about this flooring product. It sounds wonderful...i am doing my basement which has a cement floor...can this be installed on top of it or do I have to put a sub floor?

thanks....Joan

Can you recommend a couple of brands of 1/8 inch vinyl floor planks to evaluate?

Thanks

Bob

Can I put vinyl tiles over ceramic tile flooring? Do I need a special mat?

I bought self-stick vinyl tiles to install in a hallway over a hardwood floor. I stripped it clean of the old adhesive used when carpet was there (pulled it up 3 years ago). I'm getting a noisy sound ... will latex primer help this? Is it truly necessary to install a plywood subfloor first?

I bought some vinyl flooring that is in 6" x 36" strips. It doesn't have any adhesive on the back and I'm not sure what to use. Any ideas??

Flooring is Planet Green Collection - Dura Floor Collection

Thanks

I am having a playhouse built in my backyard for my daughters. Living in Austin, concerns me with the extreme summer temps (often 100). Is there a vinyl wood product that you recommend that would withstand these elements. I am okay for a wee bit less than perfection, I just don't want it all lifting in two months. I would also be interested in knowing if it would be possible to use an additional adhesive to offer addition security in holding it in place.