Replacing Linoleum With Vinyl Tile

Installing tile over linoleum.

Replacing linoleum with vinyl tile.

They have a locking tongue and groove construction and when you need to replace one of the tiles you have two options. Peel a corner of the linoleum slowly with two hands. If the surface appears rough after the bond dries lightly sand it smooth with the enclosed sandpaper be careful not to scratch the surrounding floor surface. Brush the clear acrylic finish over the repair and allow two hours drying time before walking on the area.

Apply tile adhesive to the floor in a small area using your trowel. Continue onto the next strip of linoleum. You want to make the adhesive soft but don t melt the vinyl. Use a straightedge and utility knife to cut through the patch and the flooring below.

If you have small scrapes or cuts in your vinyl apply a low gloss seam sealer to seal them up. Lastly if the existing vinyl is securely fastened to the concrete slab and the vinyl itself has limited compressibility then you will probably be okay to install the ceramic tiles over the vinyl. Apply heat to the damaged tile with the heat gun or warm iron to soften the adhesive underneath. The technique for replacing a damaged vinyl tile is even easier than double cutting sheet vinyl.

Replacing linoleum and adhesive when the old linoleum and adhesive residue come up readily and the subfloor is in good shape or you are able to set down a new underlayment over the old adhesive. Reposition your hands down as your peel. If the damaged tile is close to the wall and the room doesn t have much furniture you can usually disassemble as much of the floor as necessary to remove the damaged one then reassemble the floor when you re done. If you have vinyl bubbles use a utility knife to make a cut straight down the length of each bubble.

If that s impractical option 2 is to cut out the damaged tile using a utility knife and fit in a new one. The original vinyl should be removed if either one of these conditions are not met. Discard the strips in the trash. Begin by using an electric heat gun to warm the damaged tile and soften the adhesive underneath.

For a neater repair cut along pattern lines. Apply a bit to the back of each tile as well before setting it into place.