Getting Self Adhesive Tiles to Stick
WayneL5
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I have a small foyer which currently has cheap spec builders’ sheet vinyl. I’d like to rip it up and install peel-and-stick vinyl tile. I experimented by buying one tile and sticking it to a clean sheet of plywood that I vacuumed clean. A short time later, it was not sticking, it popped up everywhere but the edges. That makes me worry that it won’t stick to the floor, either. Is there something that needs to be done to prep the surface to make it stick, or some technique in laying it? I will go back to the store and read the directions, but I’d like you know your experience and advice. Can this work?
Replies
I only used them once, about 12 years ago.
IIRC they recommened a "primer". Some kind of sealer that went on the underlayment.
I have also heard of a number of people that go ahead and put down vynal adhesive and not worry about the self stick.
I started using vinyl flooring adhesive, and have never looked back. Never had a single tile pop loose since I did.
James DuHamel
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Bill has the plan...
primer and adhesive...
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They're temperature sensitive.
Make sure your underlay is within temp specs.
Make sure it's clean and it'll never come loose without a heat gun.
Use a laminate roller for insurance at lower temps.
Alan
personally, i do not like them. nothing "self" adhesive about them unless you are maybe laying them on glass....but i had to lay some that my dad had already bought for a rental property after he had his stroke. i did everything on the directions as others have said: clean, prime, temp gotta be right.they curled and popped.i combed on armstong floor adhesive and rented the roller and that finally worked.
in a previous life I used to use them all the time ...
the ply isn't clean enough ...
I'd try the primer along first ... or ... a nice cheap latex paint.
one tip ... a plumbers torch to heat the back makes for an extra stick tile ...
You'll know when it's too much after U burn your fingers.
also helps if U ever have to do a concrete basement floor and mold the tiles to an odd shape.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
20 some years ago, my dad sent me and my brother to put down some vinyl tiles in this kitchen addition we were working on. The customer worked, so we basically never saw him.
It was cold in there, and the tiles weren't lying flat. As we kinda scratched our heads trying to figure out how to do this, we looked at the new microwave sitting there. With a little experimentation, we got those tiles at just the right temp so they'd lay flat and stay there. They went down quick after that.
I think we told our dad, but we never told the customer.
Microwaving the tiles works too...
Been there, done that.
used to use them all the time on rentals ...
always over fresh luan.
most were stuck down about 10 years ago ... all are still sticking.
and I didn't even use the recommended 100 lbs roller.
Jef
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Thanks everyone for your replies. A couple of you have said to apply vinyl adhesive. So, vinyl adhesive adheres to the sticky back of self-stick tiles?
and then some...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I have always just went ahead and installed those with glue, (latex) ,laid down with a trowel with the smallest grooves you can find,leaving no glue puddles,I do sweep and vacuum if I have one, but I always wind up wiping the floor with my hand also.So I do all the border in one direction around the room,and pick up the last of the dirt with a wet rag...
SCRIBE ONCE CUT ONCE!
I have never seen them stick better than maybe 60%. I put down a skim coat of all purpose tile adhesive with a trowel. Works to seal and glue in one. No need to get it on heavy, just thin enough to be tacky. Even if it starts to skim over dry, it is a good surface for these tiles, kind of like a contact cement.
Use heat gun if it still doesn't stick.
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