How to Apply Adhesive When Installing Vinyl Flooring

Installing new vinyl flooring is an inexpensive way to improve the look of a room, especially kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. You can save quite a bit of money by installing the vinyl floor yourself. The most difficult step is applying the adhesive, so follow these steps to do it correctly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vinyl floor
• Vinyl tile adhesive
• Trowel

1. Clean the old floor completely. Even the smallest chunk of dirt or debris will show through the finished floor.

2. Lay out the flooring after you have cut it to the correct size. It should lie on the floor perfectly and meet all walls and corners, as it will when the project is completed. Stand on the floor, lift one side of the flooring and pull it toward you. You should fold the flooring in half, but do not actually make a crease in it.

3. Place a few heavy items on the edges of the floor to keep it from moving around while you work. Look at your work area again and make sure that it is clean and that you haven't tracked any debris onto it.

4. Using a trowel, spread an even layer of adhesive around the perimeter of the area you are starting with. While doing this, keep the trowel at a 45-degree angle. Next, spread adhesive in the remainder of the work area. Make sure that there are no ridges; these could show through the floor after it has dried.

5. Allow the adhesive to cure according to the manufacturers' directions. Unroll the floor onto the glue.

6. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 with the other side of the vinyl floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Trowels come with different sized grooves. Check the manufacturers' instructions on the adhesive to find which size they recommend.