Chitika

lördag 23 januari 2010

Installation of Vinyl Flooring

By Jim Slate

Slate and Artsmith - There are basically two types of vinyl flooring, tiles and sheets. Vinyl tiles are easier to install and are easier to remove, however the do have joint lines, and sometimes corners can stick out of the floor. Vinyl sheets on the other hand are just planes which seamlessly cover the surface of the floor. The choice of which option to use for your application should be based on your level of skill, proficiency, and your budget.

When removing vinyl sheets the first thing you should do is carefully remove your base moldings. This can be done using a crowbar, with a piece of wood placed between the tool and the wall, to protect your drywall. You have to be careful when doing this or you could inadvertantly damage the wall or the molding around the application.

Next, use a shop knife with a carbide blade to cut the vinyl into manageable one foot strips. Grips the material at the end where it meets the wall, and slowly lift up as much of it as you can by hand. If you find some strips are particularly stubborn, cut them into smaller 5" squares.

If you find that pieces of felt backing are sticking to the underlayment, a solution of laundry detergent and water can usually loosen it. A floor scraper can then be used to scoop up the remaining strips and remnants. Be vigorous and persistent, and eventually the offending squares should come up.

When you are finished, a wet dry vac will help you to clean up the mess left over. If it can handle it, a small amount of water placed in the vacuum can help with dust that might get into the air.

After removal, inspect your underlayment closely to be sure you haven't damaged it by piercing or scraping it in any way. If necessary, a leveling compound can be used to make repairs.

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