Hello out there,
I will be installing ceramic tile in a kithcen and two bath remodel. Currently there is a relatively new (3-4 years) layer of vinyl. Under that is another layer of vinyl (15 – 20 years old). Under that is particle board and then 3/4 inch subfloor. The top layer of vinyl pulled off very easy. It seems the mastic did not bond very well to the second layer of vinyl. The second layer of vinyl is still bonded very good to the particle board. This stuff does not want to come off. Particle board, surprisingly, shows no sign of water damage not even around dishwasher or sink.
My questions are: can I put wonderboard, thinset and screwed, directly over the second layer of vinyl then tile on that? Will thinset bond to vinyl or will it separate over time? What if screws are long enough to go through particle board into subfloor? I really do not want to chisel,scrape etc. that second layer of vinyl off. It will most likely damage particle board and then I have to take that up also. Tiles will be 12 x 12 ceramic.
What do you all think?
Thanks,
brad
Replies
I think that if I were doing it I would remove all the vinyl even if I did gouge the wood floor under it. Then I would thinset and screw the cement board down, and set my tile on that. It is important that the floor be as stiff as possible so that the thinset will not disbond from flexing. I know it can be a lot of work to remove the old sheet goods but it's a lot more work to remove your year old tile and the cement board to redo it. Not including the cost of materials. Just my two cents worth.
You might check on the floor joists to be sure the added weight of all this extra materials won't over load them and cause the floor to flex. Good luck!