I'm replacing sheet vinyl with ceramic tile in a rent house. Can we . . . ?

Question

. . . lay the tile over the sheet vinyl? (After we rough up the surface of the vinyl so the tile will adhere?)

Or do we have to remove the vinyl?

It is glued down firmly. It has been there for 20 years.

And how long should it take to do two bathrooms & a kitchen/diningroom area (500 sq feet)

There will be 3 of us. I have laid tile before, but that was in a hallway. And how much harder is it to lay granite, which was what we did in our hallway? (not the rent house)

Thanks - this is for my mother's rent house - her only source of income other than Social Security.

Answer 1

Take the gloss off the vinyl but do not use a machine. Many vinyls from 20-30 years ago may have embedded asbestos fibers in them that can be let loose with rough polishing. For the same reason I recommend leaving the vinyl (sheets or tiles) where they are. If there is a missing tile fill the space with mastic or other cement. As a Real Estate Broker, i have encountered several instances where asbestos remediation has been necessary because the seller attempted to remove the tiles.   Good luck!

Answer 2

yes but use mastic instead of mud, mud will come up later,. mastic will stick forever

Answer 3

THINSET WILL NOT ADHERE TO VINYL.

I have glued tile to linoleum before...years ago, and it's still holding. They make adhesive for this particular purpose. be sure that it will work on the granite material you plan to use. Make sure that the lino is clean of all dirt and grease/wax. I cleaned the floor, roughed it with sandpaper and then wiped it down with thinner.

Be sure to start so as not to have real thin, narrow pieces at sides/ends. (Begin at center?) Often it can work out so that you can use one tile for opposite sides. (half or less on one side, etc)

Personally, I would not do this in a rental...you want low maintenance and renters will probably destroy it, trust me. I have seen it happen too many times

good luck.

Answer 4

You can go over the vinyl as long as the vinyl is down 100%, I would scuff it up to take the shine out and open some pores up, Then use a high quality thin set to go over the vinyl never use the premixed mastic or anything along that line...you need a good thinset you mix with water or latex... If it is basic ceramic then it is a little easier then granite.....just make sure you take the toilets up and install new wax rings....The whole job should take a weekend to lay them all then maybe a day to grout....depends on how fast and how clean you are....and if you have all the right tools....but in 2 weekends it should be all done....good luck and take your time