Can you lay vinyl flooring/lino on top of vinyl flooring?

Question

I just need to know whether I should rip up the old flooring or if I can lay it on top of the current one. Will that produce more bubbling if I do?

Answer 1

Either way really, you just need to make sure you prep the floor first (make the surface as smooth as possible) An associate at yor nearest DIY store will know what product you need to buy, self leveling is usually best. If, however the current floor is in extremely bad shape or there are many layers on layers, you may find that you need to tear out the old covering(s). Be prepared for a big mess and a lot of preping if that's the case. As far as the bubbles in the current flooring go, using a utility knife, make a slice in them and roll them out, after you install the new floor, roll that one too, to insure you have no bubbles.

Answer 2

Lino flooring is tricky to install. As long as the old lino is flat and free of any type of oil residue you should be okay. If the old lino has depressed lines in it that make a design, this will transfer to the new lino over time and normal wear and tear. Insofar as bubbling, some installation experts will apply the floor adhesive under the entire room, if the lino is not layed down correctly, the bubbles are air pockets that get trapped under the lino.

The best way to install lino is get some rosin paper at the hardware store. Make a template of the exact floor area. When cutting the new lino allow 2-3 inches larger than the template. Use floor or lino type glue to attach your edges. Simply pull back the lino and apply a 5-6 inch line around the perimeter of the room. Use a sharp utility knife to cut in the edges, take your time.

Good Luck,

Jim

Answer 3

With all due respect; I see so many questions beginning with "CAN I" The most direct answer is ,,,CERTAINLY. Should you, in this case? I'd advise against it. In fact I'd refuse the job if contracted, if that was your desire.

Obviously the more involved the process, the more likely it is for a DIY to attempt any/ or other methods. The result, and the long term notion, should be more important.

The bubbling you suggest might be from a poor install initially, of the finish floor that exists now. Why suject yourself to that happening again, in some shortcut?

Take the time and energy to remove the old flooring. RE-PREP the sub floor properly and lay your NEW vinyl sheet stock, or whatever you choose to use.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

If the old floor is loose or embossed with a pattern it should probably come up. If it is sound and smooth you can lay over it. It would be best to clean the old floor with a wax stripper, rinse, let dry and then rough up the surface by sanding. Also check to make sure the old floor isn't just glued around the perimeter. This type of floor would have to come up but is very easy to remove.
The new floor would be only slightly more likely to have bubbles if it's laid over an old floor.

Answer 5

Lots of people do it without any trouble. It probably is always best to remove the old vinyl flooring but not, in my opinion necessary. In our old house, we replaced 2 old vinyl floors with new ones by simply going over but we did make sure we staggered the seams. They never pulled up and they never had the color bleed issue.

Answer 6

On home make over shows,onTV, I have seen them put new flooring over old flooring but I think that's only when you are doing it for decorating purposes.Another words,the first flooring is in perfect shape but you want,say,a different color scheme. Any imperfections in the first floor covering will come through the new vinyl and will need to come up.
Try HGTV.com,they have a lot of decorating ideas and how-to videos to help you through the project.

Answer 7

I install vinyl and we lay over the old a lot.........
that being said a basic rule of thumb is to lay over only one layer of vinyl.......... any more you either need to take up the old,which we rarely do or install 1/4' plywood over the old which we do a lot...........
also keep in mind the old has to lay flat in all places and if it has any spots loose you need to either cut it out or nail it down then we like to spread floor leveler or feather finish over the entire old floor with a flat trowel......this will cover up the bad spots and cover the grooves and such in the old flooring

Answer 8

no take the old one up, the colour may even come through!