Sheet vinyl has remained a practical flooring option that has seen several uses in many interior spaces. It adds a touch of class to flooring, protects the bare floor from exposure to moisture, and cushions the feet. Hence, we understand why you’d want to consider using them in the basement.
You can install sheet vinyl flooring in your basement, provided the floor is level and clean. This flooring option is suitable for the basement due to its resistance to moisture and humidity, it’s easy to clean and maintain, and it’s budget-friendly. Its most significant challenge is installation.
To help you figure out how to install sheet vinyl flooring in the basement, this article includes expert tips, problems to look out for, and materials you’d need to successfully complete this project.
Can You Put Sheet Vinyl Flooring in Basement?
You can put sheet vinyl flooring in your basement if the basement floor is flat, smooth, dry, and clean. The high moisture-resistant quality of sheet vinyl makes it a suitable option for your basement since the concrete floors present in basements are prone to moisture-related damage.
Should You Put Sheet Vinyl Flooring in Basement?
We recommend you proceed to install sheet vinyl flooring in the basement, especially if it is one that sees considerably high traffic volume. This means if the basement is used as a laundry room or playroom then installing sheet vinyl flooring would be an ideal choice.
Problems to Look Out For When Installing Sheeting Vinyl Flooring in Basement
Installing sheet vinyl in your basement can be somewhat tasking. If you don’t get the installation right, you may have problems further down the line. Here are a few problems to look out for when installing sheet vinyl flooring:
Problem 1: Bulky Rolls that are Heavy to Transport
The first challenge with installing sheet vinyl in basements are the bulky rolls. Unlike vinyl planks or tiles, which come as stacks you can easily carry, vinyl sheets are available as tightly wound rolls which can be heavy and difficult to transport.
To transport them, you’d have to figure out a way to carry these hefty rolls into the basement, resize it to fit the space, glue it to the floor, and adequately protect the joints. This can be quite a laborious task.
Problem 2: Floor Defects
Another problem with installing sheet vinyl flooring are defects that may be present in the floor. Ensuring that the floor is free of gaps or cracks is crucial. If not, since vinyl cannot hide these defects, they will be evident after installation.
To ensure that floor defects do not mess with your sheet vinyl flooring, adopt the use of concrete sealers. Sand down any raised spots using an angle grinder. Placing an underlayment isn’t necessary but if you feel the need to, go for it.
Problem 3: Low Quality/Unsuitable materials
Unlike wooden floors, nailing into concrete is a bit difficult. With this in mind, avoid using low quality materials. You must use adhesives that are well-matched with the specific vinyl type and the concrete floor in your basement.
Alternatively, instead of nailing or glueing, you can opt for glueless sheet vinyl flooring options. These require no glueing or nailing and are perfect for smaller spaces.
What Tools Do You Need to Put Sheet Vinyl Flooring in Basement?
Here are some of the tools you’d need to put sheet vinyl flooring in your basement:
- Roll of vinyl sheet
- Concrete to fill up any holes
- A vacuum cleaner/broom and dustpan/mop and pail for cleaning
- Construction-length tape and bevel tool for taking measurements
- Multi-tool/utility or flooring knife for cutting
- Notched Trowel
- Pry bar
- Straightedge/Level
- Rolling pin or floor roller
- Heavy paper/marker/pencil
- Power grinder
What Preparations Do You Need to Install Sheet Vinyl Flooring in Basement?
Preparing properly, before installing sheet vinyl, is a recipe for a successful project. Here are a few preparatory steps to get your basement ready for sheet vinyl flooring installation:
Step 1: Prepare the Basement
The first step to preparing your basement floor, to receive sheet vinyl flooring, is taking out any portable furniture or appliances and cleaning the area by sweeping or vacuuming the floor. Also, do not forget to remove any oil or grease present by using an appropriate cleaning agent.
Step 2: Ensure the Floor is Moisture-Free
To do this, lay a plastic sheet over the floor and let it sit overnight, fully sealed around its perimeter. If moisture is found present, create a moisture barrier using urethane or concrete sealers.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 8, 2022.
Step 3: Level the Floor
Any irregularity will show through the vinyl and likely result in a tacky job. Ensure the floor is free from dust, dirt, debris, cracks, or uneven spots. If there are raised spots, use a grinder with a concrete grinding disc to level them. Fill up any holes or cracks with concrete fillers.
Step 4: Work on Trims, Doors, and Edges
Trim about 1/8″ away from the base of the door frames so you can tuck the flooring underneath the frames. Remove the doors from the hinges, if they get in the way. Also, remove the trims from the perimeter of the room.
Step 5: Be Mindful of Safety and Handling
Keep all necessary tools and materials close by. Keep children and pets, if you have any, out of the room so they’re not exposed to any hazards. Wear safety equipment like knee pads, face masks, and gloves.
How to Install Sheet Vinyl Flooring in Basement?
Here’s how to correctly put sheet vinyl flooring in your basement:
Step 1: Measure the room using a tape measure. For alcoves and angles of the room, use a bevel tool. Add extra inches to these measurements to determine the quantity of sheet vinyl to get and cut.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 8, 2022.
Step 2: This step is optional but makes cutting more effortless, and your flooring fits perfectly. Use brown patterns or craft paper as a cutting template. Lay it on the floor and mark the room’s perimeter and area to cut out for obstacles like pillars or fixed pedestals. Affix the template to the sheet vinyl and cut it to fit.
Step 3: Lay out the sheet vinyl and let it acclimatise in your basement for about 24 hours. After this, spread out the sheet to fit the room. Mark out areas around any obstacles and trim the sheet around them. Trim any excess from the sheet along the perimeter of the room. This is much easier if you use a template.
Step 4: If using the glue-less type, just lay it over and smoothen it. Tuck the sheet vinyl correctly under the door trims. Fix the trim boards, and you’re done.
If installing the glued type, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for gluing the sheet vinyl to the floor. Use the appropriate adhesive accordingly, whether for perimeter or full adhesion. For joining more than one piece of sheet vinyl, overlap the pieces at the seam and double-cut through the two layers. Join them using a suitable masking tape or seam sealant. Ensure the patterns match correctly.
Step 5: Apply seam sealants at the room’s perimeter and use a seam roller to firmly fix the edges to the floor. Use a floor roller or rolling pin to smooth the flooring and press out air bubbles.
Time and temperature are essential for a correct installation. After installation, allow the sheet vinyl to sit in for 1-2 days at about 680F before using the room. Replace any furniture or appliances after 5 days to avoid compressing and damaging the flooring before it fully adheres.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 8, 2022.