How to Emboss Flooring

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Things You'll Need

  • Floor stripper

  • Emboss leveling compound

  • Smooth-edge trowel

Embossed floor covering has imprinted patterns that create indentions.

Emboss leveling of floors, sometimes referred to as emboss flooring, prepares a linoleum or tile floor to be covered by a new floor covering without removing the old floor covering. Emboss leveling saves time and provides a smooth stable surface for the new floor covering when applied properly. Emboss leveling compound fills the cracks and crevices in the pattern of the old floor covering, creating a smooth, solid surface.

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Step 1

Strip the old floor covering of all dirt, wax or other coatings. The old floor must be clean and dry before emboss leveling is applied.

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Step 2

Mix emboss floor leveler according to manufacturer's instructions or use a premixed leveler.

Step 3

Pour a small amount of emboss floor leveler on an area of old flooring. Begin in a far corner of the room and work toward a doorway.

Step 4

Spread emboss floor leveler with a smooth-edge trowel, holding the trowel at a 45- to 60-degree angle. Emboss floor leveler dries very quickly, so work fast. When the emboss floor leveler is properly mixed, the consistency will fill depressions in the old floor covering with ease.

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Step 5

Continue to pour and spread until the entire floor is covered with emboss floor leveler.

Step 6

Allow the floor to dry for one to two hours. Scrape smooth any ridges or bumps with the edge of a trowel or a dull scraper blade. The emboss leveling must be perfectly smooth. Any lumps or bumps will show through the new floor covering.

Tip

Allow the emboss floor leveling to cure for a full 24 hours for best results.

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