How to Install a Ceramic Tile Foor Over Vinyl

Old vinyl floor tiles can be difficult to remove. Not only do many contain hazardous levels of asbestos fibers, the adhesive that bonds them to the floor grows stronger over time. This means that a home with an old vinyl floor may be faced with few options for updating.



New Portland cement-based mortars allow ceramic tiles to be bonded directly to old vinyl tiles. This can help solve the problem for many homeowners of attempting to remove the old floor.

• 1

  Inspect the vinyl floor tiles. Check for cracked tiles, loose tiles, missing tiles or tiles with curling corners. The ceramic tiles can only be bonded to vinyl floors that are in good condition with no loose areas.

• 2

  Clean the vinyl floor tiles well. Use a vinyl floor cleaner that will strip off the old sealer on top; this will help the Portland cement to bond better to the vinyl, giving you a stronger ceramic floor. Let the vinyl dry completely.

• 3

  Lay out the new, ceramic tiles on top of the vinyl. Begin in the center of the wall that is farthest from the door from which you enter. Check to make sure the new tiles completely cover the old, right up to the walls and under baseboards and doors. Cut the tiles to fit the edges of the room on a tile wet saw, and double-check them with the full tiles before installing.

• 4

  Take up the tiles in the same order you will put them back down. Spread a layer of Portland cement directly on top of the vinyl. Key the cement with the points of the trowel to ensure it is an even depth and press the ceramic tiles firmly into place. Work out into the room, and out the door to avoid stepping on the new tiles.

• 5

  Let the ceramic tiles dry in place and the cement harden for 48 hours. Grout the new tiles by spreading the grout over them and into the joints between them with a rubber grouting tool known as a float. Press the grout into the joints with the float, using the edge to scrape excess grout off the tops of the tiles. Let the grout begin to harden for 10 minutes, and clean the tops of the ceramic tiles with a damp sponge. The grout will harden completely in three weeks.