Posted by Mike Quaranta on January 24, 19101 at 11:51:35:
In Reply to: Re: Vinyl over cement - Is it a good idea? posted by Jim Buckley on October 19, 19100 at 15:36:23:
: : I would suggest that you have a qualified flooring professional look at the floor. It is difficult for us to give you advice on any floor covering or even ceramic tile for that matter without seeing the floor first. I assume from your post that you have already removed the old flooring material, which would give good access to the slab underneath in order to make a proper judegement. It may be necessary to conduct moisture and pH tests (you can't generally tell by just looking at it).
: : Ceramic tile is generally more moisture "resistant" than sheet vinyl flooring, so if you do have a moisture problem you may want to go that route.
: : Evan
: : : The cement floor in the kitchen has patches of adhesive. It is not level and has cracks (live in a clay area of foundation problems). Can I put vinyl (sheet or tile) over it. If so what preparation should I use? I hear horror stories about moisture, staining, etc. Help!
: I realized I may have been to brief about the moisture test, no moisture evidence is a start Evan is right have a pro look at it.
Susan,
The postings tell you that vinyl goes on concrete very well with years of good service. The problem is to prepare the concrete surface and understand the variables: vapor emission, pH, crack chasing and leveling with neutral surface.
One simple test you can do is to place a rubber mat on the kitchen floor for one day . . . remove the rubber mat and observe if there is a difference in color (darker color under the mat means there is a potential moisture vapor emission problem. Next, tape a plastic bag to the floor (sealed all around very well and leave this plastic on the floor for three (3) days . . . remove and observe the concrete floor color for darkness and even water drops which may have collected on the plastic surface facing the concrete. Then if you have the darkened concrete you know you need a formal calcium chloride test and pH tests at the same time. A professional will read those tests and give you the prescribed corrections (if necessary for your concrete surface) before the vinyl is installed.
Good luck.