I want to install vinyl over a tile floor. What procedures should I take? What adhesive? What prep on the ceramic?
Not a good idea, the vinyl will conform to the shape of the floor underneath and the indents of the grout lines will show through. If they are the small 1 inch by 1 inch tiles you can buy a product called floor leveler and put it over the tiles to create a smooth surface. It is a powder that mixes with water to create a plaster type mix. Ok for a small ie bathroom floor, huge job on a kitchen floor. The key to success is always in the prep. Make sure the underneath floor is very smooth before trying to put down vinyl. Another method would be to glue shower/tile backer board over the tile. This comes in quarter inch thickness and can be glued down using thin-set mortar, but with the new vinyl you will be raising the floor level by almost a half inch. This may mean that you have to trim doors from the bottom. It is not an impossible task and will be worth it if you really hate the tile. Keep in mind that if you use this method in a bathroom that the toilet will have to be removed and an adapter placed on the flange to make up for the height difference. If you own the house, I would remove the tile, if you rent, I would reconsider and probably use scatter rugs. If you are still going to do it, make a paper pattern or buy a pattern kit at the big box store. Vinyl does not necessarily need to be glued down, but gluing the edges will generally keep them from curling up. Good luck, there is a great deal of self satifaction in improving the look of a room and making it you.
Removing the tile is the best way but to answer your ? you ll have to make sure tile is down tight and no loose grout.. An indication tile is loose.. If all s tight 1st clean and strip tile of all grease and sealers etc.. Now you ll have to flat trowel on an embossing leveler to get rid of all the grout line seams so it won t telescope and show thru.. And it still may so thats a chance you take.. Use the glue that is recommended from the manufacture of the type of vinyl you get.. GL
You should definitely remove the tile as well as the underlayment for the tile. Screw down the subfloor to the floor joist so that the new floor doesn't squeak. Install vinyl underlayment, crack fill the joints and install your vinyl flooring. Be sure to pay attention to your threshold where the new floor meets the old floor at the door openings.
You could use a self levelling floor screed to cover the ceramic tiles I would try getting a quote from a flooring contractor first as they would do it all in a day and you would have a Professional finish with minimal disruption which would be well worth the cost. If you decide to do it yourself then use the twin pack levelling compound which can be spread with a trowel this will take any unevenness out of the tiles and can be spread 6mm thick feathering to nothing. The tiles will need to be de-greased and treated with a bonding agent first. good luck
