Need to put adhesive tile atop old underlayment
by
Kathy T
+12
Situation: a family member has ALS, and is confined to wheelchair. Their old kitchen carpeting had separated from its backing and was creating "humps". The relative does not have funds for replacing flooring, as their money is having to go into handicap accessibility improvements. Thus, my husband and I are taking it upon ourselves to remove and replace the kitchen flooring at our own expense.
When the carpet was pulled up, it left behind a layer of glue and foam carpet backing. The old underlayment is firmly adhered... we have scraped down as far as we can into the glue layer, and it is relatively flat and smooth now. We really cannot/do not want to sink a lot of money into this job, as they will likely only be in the home until they are confined to a nursing home and lose their house as a result. Can we go ahead and put down peel & stick tile at this point, or do we need to do something else prior to doing this?
When the carpet was pulled up, it left behind a layer of glue and foam carpet backing. The old underlayment is firmly adhered... we have scraped down as far as we can into the glue layer, and it is relatively flat and smooth now. We really cannot/do not want to sink a lot of money into this job, as they will likely only be in the home until they are confined to a nursing home and lose their house as a result. Can we go ahead and put down peel & stick tile at this point, or do we need to do something else prior to doing this?
What we're left with...
Detail of old underlayment atop original subfloor, where we will be replacing a baseboard register...
14 answers
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I would Check with local organizations to see if there is any help available to help with these Handicapped accessible Renovations that are needed.. You don't state the age but if they are age 60 + You could check with local agencies for Seniors. Contact Salvation Army to see if they have any funds... Community Action Agencies. Sometimes Churches have programs to provide assistance/workers.. I know in my area of OHIO there are Groups from churches that put in Handicapped Ramps etc.. Get the word out. also there is always GOFUNDME accounts that can be set up on line asking for Donations.. See if any local places like Lowes or Home Depot can help with supplies ... Explain the Situation. Put the Word out to local Carpenters to see if they will donate... Habitat for Humanity has stores where builders donate excess building materials etc. and these can be bought cheaply... Good Luck and Prayers... Check to see about remnants of sheet vinyl at local Flooring stores... the peel and stick don't always.. work so great..
Jean Thompson
on Aug 15, 2015
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Good luck with your project. I am afraid that I cannot offer much assistance but i do know from using a remnant of vinyl flooring as a rug/decorative accent that imperfections on the floor will damage the vinyl from underneath and I would think that a heavy motorized wheelchair will accelerate that process. Perhaps the peel and stick tiles are less likely to do that but I think if you can get a self leveling product as suggested above to make a very smooth surface i would think it would be the best option. We lost my brother to ALS several years ago. He was able to be cared for at home and did not go to a nursing home. If your relative is not involved with an ALS group yet I would encourage them to do so. They do have great services for people with ALS in addition to research and with the very successful ice bucket challenge last year I think that their lending closets have more supplies readily available for use. Bless you for helping this family.
Lorri Maus
on Aug 15, 2015
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You could make your own cobb and put it down just like cement. It is very cheap if you use your own dirt/sand/clay. Google cobb and see what you learn--you can create a beautiful floor with it and very cheap. Or you can lay tile even if you don't have a tile saw using broken pieces in a mosaic. The tile cement will help with leveling because you can make it thicker or thinner under tiles or you can spread a thin layer or the mortar first to even the floor and let it dry, then another layer and lay the tile on it. You can use all different tiles if you are doing a mosaic and it will look fine. You can break up the tile and use it--it only needs to be the same thickness of different tiles. If you can't find tiles--you can use almost anything for a mosaic--small trees that you can cut with a chop saw into equal thickness pieces and then lay it just like tile and the grout it and put some polyurethane over the top when dry.
Ashley Freeman
on Aug 15, 2015
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In stead of the peel and stick, I would opt for the least expensive laminate you can find. We put some 1.50 a square foot stuff on our 3 season porch and it has held up just fine for 12+ years! Just installed inexpensive laminate in our loft area for nearly the same cost...watch for sales or clearance. The foam backer will even out the glue/flooring issue underneath too.
Connie
on Aug 15, 2015
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You could do what I did with an older trailer that I bought, If possible, you could sand the glue down a bit, vacuum or sweep the floor, (make sure all nail heads are pounded down), and buy some mis-tinted paint to coat the floor, and if you choose, leave it that way or lay peel and stick tile right over that.. I have had no problems with mine.. Hope this helps. And I want to THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT FOLKS THAT CAN'T DO IT ON THEIR OWN.. Good folks are hard to find... R
Rus1058682
on Aug 15, 2015
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I was going to uggest sanding too. Check with a Habitat for Humanity stores for inexpensive supplies. Let us know what you decided. Good luck.
Liliana Wells
on Aug 15, 2015
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peel and stick is least likely to work on this. The adhesive needs a smooth, clean surface in order to work. I like the laminate suggestion. Put in floating laminate - not nailed or glued. Click together. It can be a DIY project if you follow instructions, (rent a power saw if you don't have one) and will give a good wheelchair surface. Good luck, and bless you for taking care of your relatives.
DiannaLynne
on Aug 15, 2015
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I agree with not using peel & stick. It will show every lump underneath. The laminate sounds like the best way to get a smooth, nice looking floor. My dad had ALS. It is very hard on a family and I commend you for stepping in to help.
Debi53
on Aug 15, 2015
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If you still want to use tile just buy the ones that you put down with an adhesive (glue). Very cheap and easy. All you will need are scissors and a paint brush.
Janet
on Aug 17, 2015
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Yes, and that is what we ended up doing over the old underlayment. It seems to be working beautifully - thank you!!! :)
Kathy T
on Sep 03, 2015
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The cheapest thing I can think of is to check out lumber liquidators and use a laminate flooring with the foam attached. Get the widest boards you can find to reduce the cutting and give the most coverage. We did this in my mothers hone and it turned out beautiful!!
K williams
on Sep 09, 2015
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Go to lumber liquidators and get a laminate flooring with the foam cushion attached. Go with the widest board available to reduce cutting and give the most coverage. We did this in my mothers kitchen and it worked beautifully!!
K williams
on Sep 09, 2015
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Luxury vinyl planks, the snap-together kind, not adhesive, might be better for a kitchen than laminate. It's a floating floor, very durable, easy to install and the price is comparable to laminate. And they actually look good!
Darla
on Sep 09, 2015
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Any of the laminates will run you up a bill; 2.50 to $5.00 a square FOOT. In my mother's house, I used a linoleum peel and stick down 12 x 12 tiles. Believe it or not, there are attractive cheap tiles available now! They are cheap and they do stick down with out additional glue. If you can, buy a linoleum tile knife. It will save a lot of elbow grease. "A good tool is half the work". Sending you my best wishes.
Susan Frank
on Jun 04, 2016
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