can you put peel and stick tile on a cement basement floor?

Question

Do I have to seal the floor first? If so how? If I don't want to go the hassle of sealing, should I choose a glue on tile?

Answer 1

You may be able to, BUT.....do this first. TEST for moisture.

Place a small sheet of plastic over an area of the floor, approximately 3'X3' or larger.
You can use a plastic trash bag if you like. Cut it so it folds out flat.
Tape it down along the edges, duct tape will do, to seal it to the concrete.
Leave it for 24 hours. When you remove it, should you find moisture on the floor, this indicates a Hydrostatic Pressure problem. If this occurs, neither the tile you're considering will stick for long, nor will any material glued down.

The moisture will counteract any adhesive.

Sealers are available but still may not stop the problem.
Feel welcome to contact me for anything further. There may be other options.
Test for moisture first.

Answer 2

Even though you can't see it, there is a fine layer of limestone powder on the floor. The tile won't stick until you spray the floor with a sealer that stops the limestone powder from releasing from the concrete. You can purchase the Sealer at any tile or carpet store. Just pour it on the floor and spread it around with a squeegee or mop. Then let it dry 24 hrs. Once on the floor, it will look like varnish.

Answer 3

As far as I know you can TRY it but I know you are supposed to use underlayment (name?) the protective roll out (?) stuff under the stick on tile if youre using it on other surfaces. Im not sure about basement floors but I would like 2 know too B cuz we have a bug basement that should be a den or something. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I put peel & stick on our basement floor, but we sealed it first with the normal liquid preparation you use for cement floors. Ours has been O.K., but you might have a different moisture level than we do.

Answer 5

I wouldn't suggest it ...If you must , you should seal the floor first to protect from moisture. If you don't you will have problems with the tiles sticking...but FIRST you must make sure the floor is extremely clean or else NOTHING will stick to it.

Answer 6

Even with the pre-glued tiles, you HAVE to clean, dry, and prime the floor as WELL as use an adhesive. Basement floors, particularly cemented, contain moisture.

Answer 7

You can probably apply it directly. I used peel and stick right out of the box on a very clean concrete floor and it turned out wonderfully and lasted for years.

Answer 8

This stuff never works very well. It WILL come up and some of it WILL NOT come up when you're ready to re-do it.