How Do I Prepare if I Must Put Vinyl Peel & Stick Over Hardwood Floors?

If you're laying peel-and-stick vinyl tiles over a hardwood floor, chances are good that the floor's not in great shape. If the wood floor has gaps, holes or loose areas, this will interfere with the installation of the vinyl tiles. The boards should be well-secured, and it's important to fill in gaps and low spots with liquid floor leveler, which pours on almost as thin as water but dries rock-hard. Start with a clean, dry floor.

Things You'll Need

• Screw gun
• Galvanized wood screws (1-1/2 inch)
• 2-by-4-inch board, 4 feet long
• Bucket
• Leveling compound mix
• Drill
• Mixing bit
• Broom

Instructions

1. Drive galvanized wood screws anywhere on the hardwood floor where there is any movement, using a screw gun. Make sure to sink the heads completely.

2. Lay a 4-foot 2-by-4 on its long narrow edge at one end of the room. Drag it slowly over the floor, watching where the board meets the floor. There will be space there anywhere the floor is low. Mark those low spots with a pencil.

3. Combine leveling compound mix with water in a bucket, using the drill and mixing bit. Correct ratios of mix to water will vary with brand and altitude, so use the ratio recommended on the mix packaging. Make enough to cover all the low spots you found and any gaps or holes.

4. Pour the mixed liquid leveler over the low spots that you marked, pouring slowly so it can level out. Fill all holes, gaps and marked low spots. Scrape the 2-by-4 over any spots where the leveler doesn't lie completely flat.

5. Let the leveler set overnight. Sweep vigorously with a broom to remove any loose dried leveler. Lay your vinyl tile directly over the wood and leveler of the floor.

References

• Hardwood Installer: Floor Preparation