VCT Tile Problems

[Nakashige]

Have VCT Tiles in my Office they are about 6 years old were put in just as i purchased the house to replace old carpet in a 4 season room. The tiles are currently cracking where the previous owner failed to remove all the carpet staples. what is the best way to handle this situation looking at going to a Vinyl Flooring like Life Proof at Home Depot.

 

[chruler]

No easy way out. You might be best off stripping the VCT off the floor and getting it reasonably smooth. Then, nail or screw down some thin luan right on top of the existing floor. It will give you a fresh start and a clean, smooth surface for the vinyl to on top of.
Like any project though, the results are only as good as the prep work!

 

[pancho400cid]

Allure vinyl plank flooring from HD over the cracking VCT.

I posted in another thread about my positive experiences. As it happens, I actually put it over cracking VCT about 4 years ago. It is a floating covering that does not attach to the subfloor. Worked very well for me.

 

[Gerald O]

Depends on how bad it is. If it's only a few tiles you can replace just the ones affected (after removing the offending staples and filling any voids). If it's more than a few then better to start over with a good underlayment properly installed.
In general VCT will telegraph every imperfection in the underlying floor. Even a grain of sand or sawdust will show up as a bump.

 

[Nakashige]

So I am going to rip it all up and put down Luan is 3/8th enough between to absorb any defects left behind from having the glue and remaining staples I cant find? Assuming I should screw the Luan down verses nail. How important is it that i scrap the glue off the original subfloor?

 

[Gerald O]

This is all assuming that you will be reflooring with new VCT:
Normally 1/4" underlayment is used. I recommend sanded birch rather than luan as it is usually better quality. Less voids and delamination. It is recommended to be nailed down with galvanized ring shank nails (I forget what size), but more commonly galvanized 1/4" x 1" crown staples are used. All fasteners must be driven slightly below the surface. The nailing pattern is pretty tight -- about 6" in the field and 3" along the edges. Fill and sand uneven joints and voids. Stagger the sheet layout so that 4 corners do not meet in one spot.

You don't need to scrape old adhesive, but all the old tile must be fully removed. It will want to break and crumble, and will generally not let go without a fight. Find all old protruding staples and hammer them flush. Use your bare hands to feel for bumps.

 

[James-W]

This is all assuming that you will be reflooring with new VCT:
Normally 1/4" underlayment is used. I recommend sanded birch rather than luan as it is usually better quality. Less voids and delamination. It is recommended to be nailed down with galvanized ring shank nails (I forget what size), but more commonly galvanized 1/4" x 1" crown staples are used. All fasteners must be driven slightly below the surface. The nailing pattern is pretty tight -- about 6" in the field and 3" along the edges. Fill and sand uneven joints and voids. Stagger the sheet layout so that 4 corners do not meet in one spot.

You don't need to scrape old adhesive, but all the old tile must be fully removed. It will want to break and crumble, and will generally not let go without a fight. Find all old protruding staples and hammer them flush. Use your bare hands to feel for bumps.

I have always seen staples used, never nails. Not saying you can't use nails, just saying I have never seen that done.

 

[The Cobbler]

nails were the precursor to manual staplers (driven with a rubber mallet ) which was the forerunner to pneumatic staplers and coil nailers

 

[Nakashige]

Going with a Vinyl Plank Floating Floor not VCT dont have time or want to wax VCT