Can You Use Self Leveling Concrete Over Vinyl Tile

Answered 20th jul 2015.

Can you use self leveling concrete over vinyl tile.

If you can avoid it you should probably not use a leveling compound on a vinyl floor. Leveling mixes are designed to make smooth surfaces and are most often used on concrete or wood. Make sure the concrete is dry and avoid self leveling patches. It is not recommended that you but self leveling screeds over vinyl tiles can cause yourself a bigger head ace in the long run and i know it can be a night mare of a job but always better to take tiles up and start from scratch.

This can be used for both concrete or wood applications. Concrete often has scratches holes marks and drips that create a very uneven surface that cannot be used to lay tile while wood boards can warp over time creating hills and valleys instead of the straight smooth needed for proper tile insulation. Depending on the condition of the floor and the thickness of the plank it may not be necessary to use a concrete toppling. Fill the low points with a self leveling compound for the quickest dust free work around.

Wear work gloves safety goggles and a particle mask when mixing and applying the compound to avoid skin eye and lung contact. If the concrete holds moisture however the tiles may. Make sure the substrate you are pouring over is secure and the tiles are adhered. Do not use self leveling compound over glazed ceramic tiles or over floors where a majority of the installed tiles have cracked.

If there are large expansion joints or cracks in your concrete you can fill and smooth them using premixed leveling products from home improvement stores. Look for products that can be applied over cutback adhesive or vct vinyl composition tile. Ordinary concrete isn t necessarily the right product for skim coating over a vinyl tile floor but there are various self leveling specialty concrete formulas that can be mixed on demand and applied over the tiles on the floor.