Can You Put the Peel and Stick Tile Over Vinyl Sheet Flooring?

Regulate the Temperature

• Peel-and-stick tiles will not bond properly to a cold sheet vinyl floor, and they are also prone to brittle breakage in cold weather. Excessive heat softens the adhesive, making it prone to accidental glue removal when you peel off the paper backing. Regulate the temperature of the room to at least 65 degrees, and let the tiles adjust to the temperature for approximately two days before installing them.

Remove the Molding

• Remove the baseboards before installing peel-and-stick vinyl tiles to help ensure a tidy look. If the baseboards are caulked or painted, cut the seam between the top of the baseboards and wall with a utility knife first. Tapping a small, thin pry bar between the top edge of the baseboard and the wall is often enough to coax the baseboards free once you cut the seam. In older homes, baseboards may be installed with large, thick nails. If so, tap a wood shim between the baseboard and wall before inserting the pry bar to prevent wall damage when you apply more pressure. In large or oddly-shaped rooms, number the back side of each baseboard section to help you remember where each one goes. Some tiles are thick, and will not fit under door moldings. If this happens, place a tile on the floor, butted against the bottom of the molding. Trace the top of the tile onto the molding, and trim off the bottom of the molding with a thin coping saw.

Clean the Floor

• Old floor wax and dirt can impede the bond between the peel-and-stick tiles and sheet vinyl. Remove built-up wax with vinyl floor stripper, then mop the floor with a non-residue cleaner. Alternatively, let the stripper sit until the buildup dissolves, squeegee off the residue and mop the floor. After the floor dries, pass a new floor dusting cloth across the sheet vinyl to capture any remaining dirt particles.

Level Embossed Surfaces

• Some sheet vinyl has embossed patterns and grooves that resemble grout lines in ceramic tile. Indentations can prevent peel-and-stick tile from bonding properly, and the designs can show through as the new tile settles. Correct embossed sheet vinyl with an application of sheet vinyl embossing leveler, which fills the indentations and results in a smooth surface. Apply a thin coat with a flat trowel, using only enough to level the designs with the rest of the vinyl. Embossing leveler is not intended to fill major damage.

Repair Damage

• Peel-and-stick tiles may temporarily conceal damaged sheet vinyl flooring, but the irregularities will show through in time. Cut out damaged areas in the sheet vinyl with a sharp utility knife, leaving a clean edge. Cut a scrap of vinyl to patch the new opening, glue it to the floor with vinyl flooring adhesive and press the seams with a vinyl flooring seam roller or a rolling pin. A piece of the new vinyl tiles may also work as a patch if they are the same thickness. If the old vinyl is ripped, apply vinyl flooring glue or construction adhesive under both edges of the rip and press it down.