Installing ceramic tile flooring over vinyl flooring and concrete adhesive
(DepositPhotos)

We often receive this type of question: Can I place one type of flooring over another? In many cases, you can, which means you won’t have to worry about removing adhesive on the concrete subfloor.

That’s one topic we’re tackling in this Today’s Homeowner Podcast — specifically, what to do when you want to install ceramic tiles over vinyl flooring.

In this case, the vinyl flooring is stuck directly to the concrete slab, and the homeowner wonders whether there is an easy option for pulling up the vinyl floors.

The good news? If the adhesive between the concrete and vinyl flooring is holding strong and you just a few rough spots, you can add floor patch compound over the vinyl to smooth out the surface, and then install ceramic tiles on top.

Just make sure that directions on the thinset mortar you use for installing the tiles state it will adhere well to the vinyl floor.

Scraping off adhesive from concrete is not fun; it takes a lot of time and, in many cases, you just don’t have to do it.

Listen to the Today’s Homeowner Podcast for more home improvement tips!


  • [skipto time=2:26][2:26][/skipto] Danny and Joe talk about how to prepare for a power outage
  • [skipto time=7:01][7:01][/skipto] The surface of concrete steps’ treads and risers is too rough to walk on barefoot — learn how to smooth out rough concrete
  • [skipto time=10:04][10:04][/skipto] Best New Product: Wyze Smart Home Starter Bundle
  • [skipto time=11:37][11:37][/skipto] How to solve an odor problem in the attic.
  • [skipto time=15:55][15:55][/skipto] How to fill cracks in the driveway
  • [skipto time=17:11][17:11][/skipto] How to remove adhesive from concrete surfaces
  • [skipto time=20:50][20:50][/skipto] How to scrape hardened grout off tiles
  • [skipto time=26:41][26:41][/skipto] Simple Solution: 5 ways to properly install posts
  • [skipto time=28:59][28:59][/skipto] Question of the Week: The solution for resurfacing a spalling garage floor

Simple Solutions

Third-Hand Bench Clamp — Here’s how to use metal shelf brackets to hold woodworking parts steady as you’re assembling them:

First, stand the workpiece on the edge of the workbench. Next, set a metal bracket on the workbench and slide it up against the workpiece.

Now, take one spring clamp and clamp the bracket to the workbench. Then grab another spring clamp and clamp the vertical leg of the bracket to the workpiece. The metal bracket will hold the workpiece in place and prevent it from shifting out of position or flopping over.

If necessary, you can clamp in place a second metal shelf bracket, when working with larger workpieces.

The other thing is that if you’re assembling several workpieces, you can screw down the bracket to the workbench to permanently lock it in place. Then, you only need to use one spring clamp. Watch Video

Creating Sturdy Handrails — When installing handrail posts for a deck or porch, it’s important to set the wooden post in concrete. Here are five tips to ensure the post stays rock solid for years:

• Dig the post hole at least three times wider than the post. So, for a 4-by-4 post, which measures 3½ inches square, dig the hole about 11 inches wide.

• To anchor the post to the concrete, drive three 3-inch-long decking screws at an angle into the lower section of the post. That way, if the post shrinks, it’ll still be locked onto the concrete footing.

• Pour concrete all around the post, but keep it about 3 inches below grade, meaning the surrounding ground.

• Use a margin trowel or putty knife to smooth out and slope the top of the concrete away from the post.

• Finally, use two diagonal braces to hold the post perfectly plumb until the concrete hardens.  


Question of the Week

Q: “I have a 30-year-old garage floor that is finished smooth (not broomed). It is in pretty good shape, but much of the surface looks like the surface of the moon —many craters. None of these craters are deeper than 1/8 inch.

“I’m looking for a product that can be spread (preferably with a squeegee) over the surface to repair it.”

A: Quikrete Re-Cap Concrete Resurfacer is the perfect product for this job. You just apply it over spalling surfaces with a squeegee.  




Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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