I am 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

It all depends on the condition of the vinyl flooring.  Since you said it was still glued down firmly you could install the tile on top .  You will want to use a good cleaner to remove the dirt and grease from the vinyl.

I personally would remove the vinyl before installing the ceramic tile.  If you have a wood subfloor under the vinyl then you will also want to install 1/2 inch backerboard before installing the tile.   Heres some tips for installing tile http://www.squidoo.com/5tipsforlayingtil...

Answer 2

No ... the vinyl is slightly squishable and the grout will crack and crumble.

Get it down to clean concrete, patch whatever you need to, then lay the tile.

If it's a rental house, how about another layer of good-looking vinyl?

Answer 3

Are you talking abut the floor or the walls?

For walls, vinyl panels can be fitted over ceramic tiles, but not visa versa - the vinyl must be removed.  For floors, the tiles should be laid or a solid screed or concrete base after the vinyl is taken up - don't cut corners or you'll finish up with cracked tiles.  Granite is no harder than ceramic tiles, but needs more support while adhesive dries on vertical surfaces - seal granite afterwards, though, to avoid absorbing stains.

Answer 4

You need to remove the vinyl flooring. If the surface under the vinyl isn't concrete, you need to lay concrete backerboard before installing the tile.

Answer 5

ceramic tile CAN be installed over the vinyl, but most tile companies prefer to remove the vinyl instead.  if the vinyl is adhered firmly, then purchase a multiflex thinset (like versabond from home depot or ultraflex II from lowes) to set your tiles with.  if you choose to remove the vinyl, only the top "shiny" coat is necessary to be removed.  the felt layer underneath doesn't have to be removed perfectly and completely.  just enough to be rather smooth.  a regular thinset is sufficient if the vinyl is removed.

granite is generally more difficult to install because the grout joint is much smaller than with a ceramic tile.  if you like granite better, then install granite.  i recommend a 1/16" grout joint with granite, and an unsanded grout.  ceramic tiles i prefer to use a 1/8" joint and a sanded grout.  use a 3/8" notch of thinset for tile up to 12 inches, 1/2" notch for tiles between 13 and 16 inches, and 3/4" for tiles 18 inches and more.  this assures proper adhesion to guarantee no failures in installation.  

i'm asuming that this is all over concrete.  if not, a 1/4" hardibacker or durarock cement board must be thinsetted with a multiflex thinset to the plywood and screwed every 6 inches.  

time-wise, for a non-professional tile installer such as yourself, i say a minimum 3-4 days per area.  add another day each if you decide on granite.  that's a tough one to call.  a professional could probably complete the job in 5 total days--set, grouted, sealed--if no problems occur.  

good luck!

Answer 6

It is recommended that u remove the vinyle boards to make sure the tiles get solid backing.  If u do it in the shower area...It should be backed by hardy board for moisture proof in the back.

Also, if u planning to use granite for the shower...

make sure u seal the granite with a granite sealer for easy cleaning, otherwise u will have problem with soap scum film in the shower part of granite.

It is easier to use ceramic tiles in the shower area.

Allow at least 4 days for this project...drying time, thin set application and sealer application.