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Vct

ketas47

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Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
90
Location
Beaver Dam Wis
Well I think I finally made up my mind to install a VCT floor in my garage. I would like opinions of people who live in snow areas. My garage has infloor heat (55-60 degrees usually) and also has 2 floor drains. How does the tile handle all the melting snow and sand/salt that get dragged in the garage? I would like to buy the tile,950 sq. ft.by the 17th of feb.(Sale expires @ Menards that day)
Thanks Terry Ps I live in central Wis
 
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24hours

Member
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Jan 21, 2012
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15
Link doesn't work for me. As I also live in snow country, this is a question I'm quite interested in.
 

Bryanm

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Feb 16, 2013
Messages
31
Location
Concord NC
VCT is an excellent multipurpose floor covering. It will withstand the abuse you mention but it need to be maintained to do so,clean up any of the mentioned sooner rather than later. Applying a good coat of wax after installation will help protect the surface and prevent moisture from seeping in between tiles in the case of standing water from spills or melted snow.
It is fairly sturdy stuff however you can create pot marks with the sand grains, also heavy equipment with a small foot print or something such as a car on jack stands for more than a day can leave indentations in the tiles.
Before installation I would suggest warming the room up to at least 75 degrees and letting the vct acclimate for at least a day so that it is a little more pliable during the install.
if you have any more questions I would be glad to answer them if I can.
 
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ketas47

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Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
90
Location
Beaver Dam Wis
Thanks for all the input everyone, people on this site are very helpful. I did buy the vct and plan on installing this spring. One more concern I have is I have a lawnmower/tractor with a snowblower attachment. I have chains on the wheels and was curious how the tile would react.
Thanks again
 

Bryanm

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Feb 16, 2013
Messages
31
Location
Concord NC
If the snow blower is fairly light weight then your not going to do any real damage other than leaving pot marks and dents in the tile. You should expect to get scratches, chips, dents, and gouges in the tile with this type of usage. The good thing is you can replace a tile if it gets severely damaged. Just keep it clean and every once in a while swab a coat of high traffic wax on it and it will work out fine.
 

Bryanm

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Location
Concord NC
Also, after you lay the tile, it is a good idea to seal it with a standard VCR sealer, then mop ona few coats of the high traffic wax.
 
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ketas47

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Jan 19, 2010
Messages
90
Location
Beaver Dam Wis
From what I have seen and heard it is fairly easy. There are videos on u-tube showing how to install,or type in (How to install VCT over concrete) and there are many sights to choose. Most people say you should have a very very clean floor, fill in big-uneven cracks,(Most people say you dont have to fill in saw made control joints),and fairly level floor. Temp should be above 60*F preferable 70*F. I do have in floor heat but I would like to clean floor with hose and brush and during warm weather would make it alot easier? Some people say to acid etch floor, but most people just clean it very thorough with a good degreaser and then soap and water followed up with plain water.
 

JimVonBaden

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Dec 2, 2011
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Location
Northern Virginia
how easy is this to install?

I did my whole 400 sq ft in less than 8 hours total.

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1/8" notched trowel on a clean floor. Start on the center line and work your way out fron there.

Jim :cool:
 
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Bryanm

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Feb 16, 2013
Messages
31
Location
Concord NC
The actual installation of VCT is not hard , as with anything it is the prep work that is important. Make sure the floor is clean clean clean before you spread the glue.
Find the center of the room and pop a chalk line down the middle, spray that line with clear spray paint to make sure the line doesn't disappear when you spread the glue, this will be your guide line for laying the tile.
Use a 1/8th notch trowel, spread the glue, let it sit until it "flashes" and is tacky to the touch. You should be able to lightly swipe you finger tips across it without sticking but not be able to touch it directly without sticking to it.
Lay the tile in a pyramid fashion, following the line and laying the tile to either side of the line stepping down and up, this will keep the tiles square to each other and keep rows of tile from "leading" against other.
When it comes to making cuts, use a small torch to heat the backside of the tile where the cut is to be made. Heat it until it starts to be noticeably soft and even bend due to its own weight, this make cutting the tile with a utility knife super easy, use the backside of another tile as a cutting board.
Some folks use a roller, if the room is warm enough and the tile is pliable, that inst really necessary. To each his own.
 
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ketas47

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Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
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Location
Beaver Dam Wis
I also read that you have to strip/clean tile after installation. The tile are shipped with a protective coating on them that needs to be removed and any glue from installation needs to be removed. Not sure what people use to get the shipping protecter off? Once that is done You should put down a sealer then 3-4 layers of wax. How long ater installation should I wait to clean tile(how long for glue to fully set-up)
 

Bryanm

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Joined
Feb 16, 2013
Messages
31
Location
Concord NC
I also read that you have to strip/clean tile after installation. The tile are shipped with a protective coating on them that needs to be removed and any glue from installation needs to be removed. Not sure what people use to get the shipping protecter off? Once that is done You should put down a sealer then 3-4 layers of wax. How long ater installation should I wait to clean tile(how long for glue to fully set-up)


Wait a day or two to let the floor set, mop the stripper on and rinse with a fresh water mop, let the floor dry. Them mop the sealer on and let it dry naturally, then mop on several coats of wax.

Stripper

Sealer

Wax
 

JimVonBaden

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Wait a day or two to let the floor set, mop the stripper on and rinse with a fresh water mop, let the floor dry. Them mop the sealer on and let it dry naturally, then mop on several coats of wax.

Stripper

Sealer

Wax

I agree, except I would wait up to a week to strip and seal. But it depends on the temp and humidity. You really want the glue on the tiles rock solid and dry before mopping.

Jim :cool:
 

964haus

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Nov 1, 2010
Messages
498
Location
Vancouver, BC
Thanks for that info -will be doing my floor this weekend (well, at least half - I have a 500lb motorbike and toolchest on the other half so will be doing it in 2 stages...)

Matthew.
 

JimVonBaden

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Thanks for that info -will be doing my floor this weekend (well, at least half - I have a 500lb motorbike and toolchest on the other half so will be doing it in 2 stages...)

Matthew.

I did mine the same way. I moved everything the next day. I waited several months, because I had just moved into the house, to strip and seal mine.

Jim :cool:
 

pyrowipe

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Feb 13, 2013
Messages
3
Newbie to the forums and owning a garage, but I have a question about VCT. I have decided to go with tiles, but was wondering about an epoxy clear coat on top of VCT??? Wouldn't this be the best of both worlds? Does anyone know of potential problems with that setup? Thanks!
 

JimVonBaden

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Dec 2, 2011
Messages
15,716
Location
Northern Virginia
Newbie to the forums and owning a garage, but I have a question about VCT. I have decided to go with tiles, but was wondering about an epoxy clear coat on top of VCT??? Wouldn't this be the best of both worlds? Does anyone know of potential problems with that setup? Thanks!

Actually, this is a great way to preserve VCT. No real drawbacks other than replacing a damaged tile might be more difficult.

Personally, if you are going to spend the money on epoxy over VCT, I would go with Porcelain tile. No maintenance and very durable, at less money than VCT with epoxy.

Jim :cool:
 

pyrowipe

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Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Messages
3
Well I was looking at a cheaper tile to go with since I was going to Epoxy over it anyway. There is a guy that sells self adhesive backed tiles I saw a youtube of... idk though could be too cheap. Anyone know about that. I have no idea the total cost of a Porcelain tile job. I have a fairly small garage... it's about 500 sf.
 

KPSquared

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Aug 18, 2010
Messages
2,750
Location
Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
Ceramic or porcelain tile is slowly becoming the most affordable option for a durable shop floor.

There's lots of info here. Mine will be under a buck a square foot for diy install. Damn near bullet proof if installed right. Cleans up easy.
 
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