How do I fix this kitchen floor?
Question:Here's the background info:
So, just moved into a place where there was originally carpet down in the kitchen. (yuck). The landlord said the previous people put it there because the floor was ugly and boy, were they ever right. Whoever put the vinyl tiles in didn't do it well because it's not underneath the appliances. (probably a previous tenant).
I wanted to possibly put down new vinyl on the existing flooring because I just need something to look good, and last the time that we live there.
So, the actual questions...
1) Should I just use Armstrong embossing leveler and put down new tiles that way? Ripping up the old plywood underlayer may be a pain because I don't know when it was put in or if there is asbestos?
2) Right in the entrance there is a huge gap missing in the plywood/tile (probably previous people tried to rip it up and screwed it up. Is there a filler to fill probably a 3" by 4" (jagged shaped) piece of 1/4" plywood in order to prep the floor for new tile?
Answers:
If you are only a temporary tenant I definitely wouldn't rip up the old plywood etc. Just clean the old tile up as good as possible..fill in the low areas with floor leveler and fill in the missing area with wood filler or floor leveler. Let the fill in dry put down new tile..where the tile was not put under appliances to make it same height you can tile it with old mismatched tiles then put your tiles over it . Usually the place you purchase your new tiles will have old mismatched tiles discontinued etc that they will let you have. You can use the leveler to make tiles same height but if they will give you old tiles its easier and less expensive. Make sure floor is clean and dry before sticking down new tiles.
Check to see if there is a discount warehouse in your town or if a place like Lowe's has discontinued tile if you do this make sure you get enough tile to finish the job and maybe a couple pieces extra all at the same time so you will have enough to finish the floor..
Hope this helps
the new floor will only stick down as good as the one you are going over ( basicaly if the first one is peeling the second one will peel to. to patch the area by the door the sell a product call flash patch. You can find it at most flooring stores. If you can handel it, I suggest a full sheet product, less chances it will peel up. Just make a templete of the fllor with some paper and transfer it to the sheet good.
this is going to sound so weird...but just read on...rip off the old linoleum.clean the old cement well.AND PAINT IT! paint it with any kind of paint, and then buy a clear latex paint!! VOILA...it works wonders.. i just painted my bedroom floor...its saves tons of money.. i didnt add the gloss at the end and it still looks great...it doesnt have to be a permanent solution, it can just give you time to remodel other things and save up so you can later add fancy flooring..U MIGHT EVEN LOVE IT ENOUGH TO LEAVE IT!!
I think you're easiest bet is to remove the tiles that are there, use a floor leveling compound and then either put in new sticky tiles or vinyl flooring. There was some water damage in the bathroom of the house I recently bought so I ripped out the tongue and groove flooring (laminate) and sanded down the subfloor. Then I painted it with kilz and ended up having to use this thin cement-like leveling goop all over the floor. It wasn't terribly hard, but it's important that the floor is completely smooth with no grooves or bumps because they will show right through the vinyl or sticky tiles. It takes time to get it perfect, but it's MUCH cheaper than replacing the whole subfloor. In the entrance, however, you might need to cut out a section of subfloor and patch it before you use the floor leveler.
These are all great answers, but they forgot 1 major part. If the old tiles are down well, not lifting up on the edges, make sure when you lay the new tiles not to place them in the same position as the old. Move the tile over an inch or so, so the seams of the old tiles are covered with the new. This will assure that the old tiles stay down.
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