How do I lay linoleum over old ceramic tile in a bathroom?

Question

It's old old old tile......

the grout in between the tiles is almost level with the top of the tiles....and there is not much texture at all either......could I just use a spray adhesive and caulk/seal the outside edges??

We're not planning on being here much longer.....and I don't want to ruin the tile should the next owners decide they'd rather have that.......

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

As someone who just bought a home where the owners made "improvements" by laying linoleum, let me tell you to STOP! As far as I'm concerned, tile is ALWAYS preferrable to linoleum, unless the tile is cracked, badly chipped, and/or stained. If the tile is just grungy, clean up the grout and re-seal it so that it looks better. The new owners will probably thank you for it -- plus, if they decide they want to replace the flooring, the job will be much easier for them.

Answer 2

How To Lay Linoleum Tiles

Answer 3

Actually, it can work. But once the linoleum is there, the tile will be worthless. It will be easier and cheaper to just rip up the entire floor tile and all and start over than it will be to clean all the adheasive off of the tile.

If you are sure you want the linoleum anyway, you can go to a place like Home Depot, and get a floor leveler system that is ok to be used over tile. They have it, I have purchased it before. If the tile is glazed (shiny and slipery rather than rough feeling) then you will more than likely need to remove the glazing with sanding or grinding, or etch the glazing with an acid compound such as a muriatic acid mix. I have done this sucessfully when installing 12 x 12 natural stone tile over existing glazed tile in a rental unit before. It work VERY well, as the original tile was in excellent shape and had a concrete backerboard under.

Once you have the glazing etched or removed, if needed, and have the floor leveled... you don't absulutely have to, but it would be an excelent idea to install a special plywood underlayment designed for use under linoleum or vinyl flooring. This will have to be glued to the prepared tile surface with a special adheasive. They have this at the Home Center as well.

After that, it is just as simple as glueing the flooring down just as any other installation.

The reason I wrote all that was to show that it is in fact possible and the outcome is very satisfactory if done right. In the end though, most times it will be easier to rip it up and install the linoleum.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

I think so. Have Stanley Steamer or someone come in and professionally clean it and reseal the grout, or replace it. A bathroom is generally a small space and shouldn't cost too much. Laying the softer tiles over it will wear terribly over time.

Answer 5

Even though the grout is almost level with the tiles, the floor must be completely level in order to lay linoleum over it. Whether you use the sheet linoleum or the self adhesive linoleum squares the floor must be level in order to not break the bond of the adhesive. The easiest way that ive found to level a floor is to go to your local hardware store and purchase
* LATEX PRIMER FOR UNDERLAYMENT ($7.00)
*SELF-LEVELING UNDERLAYMENT ($30.00)
Just follow the directions. Basically you need to have a clean floor, apply the underlayment primer(this will help help with the bond of the underlayment) let dry .Pour the self-leveling underlayment onto the floor. It pretty much does all the work for you. You can pour the underlayment up to 1 inch thick. The Self-Leveling Underlayment liquid is a little expensive (about $30.00) but it covers about a 40 square feet. Trust me it is worth the price. I tried to save a little money and I ended up spending more $ on other products and it took me at least double the amount of time that it should have. Just follow directions completely and you will do fine. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 6

You could try laying a piece of luon plywood, use carpenter paper to trace out a piece, cut the luon to size then lay your linoleum over the luon. This will keep the linoleum from splitting and give it a level surface.

Answer 7

I'm pretty sure you have to remove tile. If you are there only a short time, why don't you leave it alone??

Answer 8

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Put a coat of thinset morter over the whole thing and you will have no problems

Answer 9

If you aren't planning on being there much longer, forget about it and use the money on the new place.

Answer 10

You'll have to lay in another sub floor. The idea isn't a job I'd ever put my name on, but a sub floor as a temp measure will be more effective than what you suggest.

Steven Wolf