How to Prep Subfloor for Carpet Tiles
Carpet tiles are a type of floor covering used in place of traditional rolled carpets. They are easier to install than regular carpeting and are much easier to maintain. If an area of the floor becomes damaged or stained, the homeowner can simply remove and replace a single tile instead of cutting away a section of carpet. Like all floor coverings, carpet tile must be installed over a clean, level subfloor. By ensuring the subfloor is properly prepared, you can greatly increase your chance for a successful installation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Latex concrete caulk
- Caulk gun
- Safety glasses
- Grinder
- Water-based concrete sealer
- Paint brush or roller
- Broom or vacuum
- Tack cloth
- Hammer
- 2-inch ring or spiral-shank nails
- Sandpaper or planer
- Leveling compound
- Trowel
Instructions
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Preparing Concrete Subfloors
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1
Wait 90 days after the concrete is poured before installing carpet tile. The concrete must cure completely before it is covered to minimize the risk of failure over time.
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2
Fill cracks with a latex concrete caulk. Use a caulk gun to shoot this material into cracks or voids in the floor. Wipe away excess caulk from the surface and let the floor dry before proceeding.
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3
Grind away high spots in the floor using a grinder. Wear safety glasses during this step to protect your eyes from flying bits of concrete.
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4
Sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove all dirt, dust and debris. If you find there is a lot of dust left over after you've cleaned the floor, wipe the surface with a tack cloth to ensure it is clean before proceeding.
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5
Seal the floor with a water-based concrete sealer. Apply this material with a paint brush or roller according to the manufacturer's instructions. Wait for the sealer to dry completely before proceeding.
Preparing Wood Subfloors
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6
Check that the wood floor sheathing is firmly attached to the floor joists. If you find any loose or squeaky areas, secure them to the joists with 2-inch nails. Choose nails with ring or spiral shanks for better holding power. Drive these nails into the floor by hand using a hammer.
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7
Sand or plane high areas to ensure the floor is level. Sandpaper will work for small areas; a planer is needed to level a floor that is largely uneven.
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8
Sweep the floor to remove all dust and dirt before installing your carpet tile. Use a tack cloth to pick up fine pieces of dust that may be hard to remove with a broom or vacuum.
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9
Apply a latex leveling compound to fill in cracks or low areas on the floor. Use a trowel to apply this material to ensure the floor surface is relatively smooth and level. Wait for this product to dry completely before installing your carpet tile.
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