To tear up vinyl floor or not

So I just got 3 quotes on putting ceramic tiles down in our smaller bathroom floor. One quote says he'll rip up the vinyl floor 1st and the other 2 will not tear it up before laying down the Hardy Blacker. Which is correct? Thanks
  6 answers
  • MaryStLouis MaryStLouis on Feb 27, 2015
    It's always best to lay a new floor over the original subfloor. Each level of additional flooring adds to height discrepancies and can cause problems with leveling and in some cases, can allow the growth of mold between layers.
  • D & K D & K on Feb 27, 2015
    I have to disagree with Mary on this. Since you've indicated they are laying a concrete backer board tells me this is an upstairs space or a house on pier and beam foundation. Since all pier and beam homes are subject to seasonal shifting whether minor or major, it's best to isolate a tile floor from the subfloor to minimise the chances that the tile or grout will crack when the house shifts or the subfloor swells and contracts with humidity and temperature. The same holds true if this is a second story area. Yes a concrete backer board will elevate the floor approximately 1/4 inch but removing the vinyl flooring will only reduce the height by about 1/16 to 1/8 inch but it may also expose a subsurface that is rough and uneven. Tile, if laid properly and the grout properly sealed is almost waterproof unless that is unless the are is prone to flooding. Just to be safe, I use a waterproofing membrane named RedGuard. It's like a latex roofing compound designed for use under tile floors and walls. Painted over the top of the concrete backer board it prevents water from getting through. I use this product to water proof showers, tub surrounds, bathroom floors and laundry areas and the 20 plus years I've laid tile professionally, have never had a single problem. Laying tile directly on a wood subfloor is a huge mistake. The movement and swelling of a wood subfloor will certainly cause the tile to detach and the grout to break apart leaving you to repeat the entire process.
    • See 1 previous
    • D & K D & K on Feb 28, 2015
      @MaryStLouis No apologies needed. I realize with limited space available to respond to any issue many specifics are often left unwritten. I try my best to be thorough in my explanations but sometimes I'm just long winded.
  • Terri Rivers Pelletier Terri Rivers Pelletier on Feb 27, 2015
    Thank you Mary & Dennis for your reply's. Dennis, what you said basically is what the last contractor said. He said if we tear up the vinyl flooring it would be uneven, besides hard to get up. Thank you again for your advice!.
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Feb 28, 2015
    If there are no cracks in the vinyl,you might want to try painting it first.I have seen on line many times.you will need to prime the floor with gripper primer first.Then paint then apply a finish.Its still cheaper than ripping up existing floor and laying a new subfloor.You can always do that if the paint project doesn't work out.Wish I had done that instead of laying down large vinyl tiles first.
  • Ji.flooring2009 Ji.flooring2009 on Mar 01, 2015
    Red guard it's what I use in any wet room, but as another precautionary I always use an epoxy grout or quartz loc they both are waterproof, bonds tiles to grout and doesn't stain. Spending a little more money for these products is well worth saving the bones of your home. As far as leaving the vinyl " I recommend it!" Reason: by leaving it installed you have added another layer of protection to your floors. Standard paper back vinyl is in fact 1/16" some of the more quality ones can go up to 1/8".
  • Pauliegirl1 Pauliegirl1 on May 09, 2016
    Sooo if I am reading this right?? You CAN tile OVER the vinyl, 1st use the waterproofing Red Guard OVER the vinyl, lay your tile WITH a waterproof grout and you are good to go?? I am a DIYer and like to do things myself! Its the JOY I feel!! You DIYers know what I'm talking about?? Hopefully none of these things are hard to work with??!! Good Luck Terri!!!!