Vinyl flooring can be a simple cost effective solution for your bathroom floor. Sheet vinyl is easy to install and can be very durable if done correctly. Many home owners have made the decision to install vinyl flooring, with the new styles and designs to choose from and also with the affordability, its hard not to see why. In this series, well explain to you how to install sheet vinyl flooring like a professional handyman.
The first thing to do is assess your current bathroom floor.
Is it ceramic tile, or does it have vinyl? If it is vinyl then the task is fairly simple, however, having a tile floor in your homes bathroom makes it slightly more difficult. Ceramic tile will need to be covered with luan sheeting. The first thing is to remove all the round trim from along the baseboards. Next, remove the toilet. Turn off the water supply line to the toilet. Then flush to drain to relieve the water from the tank, check to ensure that the valve is closed and that fresh water is not filling the tank. When empty, remove the water supply line from the tank, unbolt the two fastening nuts from the base of the toilet at the floor. Lift the toilet straight up and off the flange seat, store toilet in a safe place until ready to reinstall.
After the trim and toilet in the bathroom have been removed you are ready to start.
Measure the bathroom and draw the layout on paper. If installing luan over ceramic tiles you should fill the grout lines with a patching cement mixture. Cut the luan to size according to your drawing and fit into place. Be sure to make the cut out for the toilet and any floor vents you may have. Once the tile has been covered and the luan all fits together tightly over the flooring you are ready to fasten it. Remove the pieces. Apply a construction grade adhesive to the back of the first piece and set firmly in place. Use concrete and brick anchors to screw the luan covering into the tile, pre drilling holes and counter sinking will be required. Place anchors 24 apart inside the entire surface area. Install the remaining luan sheeting likewise.
Once the luan is installed you are ready to cut the vinyl sheet.
Lay out the sheet face down on a floor large enough to accommodate the size of the sheet. Reverse the drawing you have on your layout paper and, taking care to ensure the vinyl sheet is flat, draw out the full size pattern onto the sheet, giving a full extra inch on all sides for overlap. Carefully, cut along the lines you have drawn. Do not cut the toilet hole at this time. When you are done cutting the vinyl you are ready to fit.
Roll out the sheet into place.
Adjust vinyl sheet until completely flat and correctly positioned on the bathroom floor. Utilizing a linoleum knife, carefully cut the border to trim and flush along the baseboard. Cut out the hole for the toilet and any air vents in the floor. After the sheet is completely trimmed and fits perfectly in place with no bulges or large bubbles you are ready to apply the adhesive glue.
Start by rolling back the farthest part of the floor from the door. Doing half of the area at a time, apply the adhesive according to the manufactures specifications. After half the area is covered with glue, roll back the sheet into place. Use a flooring seam roller to flatten out the vinyl sheet, removing all the bubbles. Repeat the process with the remaining other half of the sheet. After the sheet is rolled completely flat and all bubbles have been removed, allow the flooring to acclimate to the bathroom and give at least 24 hours for the flooring adhesive to cure.
After the adhesive has dried for at least 24 hours, reinstall in the round trim molding or replace with new.
Using a new wax ring, reset the toilet in place. A flange extender may be required if you have brought the bathroom floor up higher than the top of the flange. Secure the two toilet bolts to the bathroom floor. Reconnect the water supply line. Open the supply valve and test for toilet for functionality.
Lastly, install a transition threshold in the door entry. Be sure to use the correct threshold to join your flooring types and provide a smooth transition. The bathroom door may need to be trimmed along the bottom to provide clearance. If that is the case, simply pull the retaining pins at the hinges, remove the door. Mark the bottom of the door to the proper height using a level and a carpenters pencil, trim excess with a saw and re-hang the door. Once you are sure that the door opens and closes properly you are done and can begin to enjoy your new bathroom floor.