Install Vinyl Floor Tiles

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Help Around the House : Episode ARH-119 -- More Projects »
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Home repair expert Henry Harrison shows a guest how to prepare a kitchen floor and install self-adhesive tiles. On his elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison gives this job a three.

Tools:

cardboard
kneepads
hammer
broom
dust pan
sponge
adjustable pliers
rolling pin
utility knife
pry bar

Steps:

1. Move large appliances out of the kitchen. Slide cardboard under the appliances to make them easier to move and to protect the floor.
putty knife
chalk line
scissors
self-adhesive floor tiles

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Figure A
2. Remove the baseboards along the wall. Cut the caulk seams with a utility knife, then use a pry bar and hammer to pry the boards away from the wall (figure A). Place a piece of cardboard between the wall and the pry bar to protect the wall.

3. Mark each board as it is removed so you know exactly where it goes when it comes time to reinstall the baseboards.

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Figure B
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Figure C
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Figure D
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Figure E
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Figure F
4. Remove the old flooring. Scrape up stubborn adhesive with the putty knife. Thoroughly clean the area and sweep up all debris.

5. Wipe up remaining dust using a damp sponge. Do not get too much water on the floor, as that may interfere with the adhesive on the tiles.

6. Dry fit the new tiles by placing one vertical and one horizontal row (figure B). If you're placing over existing tiles, make sure you offset the seams.

7. Once you have two rows laid out, snap a chalk line along each row to create a guide to work from (figure C).

8. Start laying tiles in the center of the room, where your chalk lines intersect (figure D). Also, vinyl expands and contracts as temperatures vary. It's a good idea to leave the tiles in the room where they'll be installed at least 24 hours before starting the project.

9. Lay all the large tiles first before cutting smaller sections for the borders (figure E).

10. Once all the tiles are down, go over the entire floor with a rolling pin to even out the adhesive (figure F).

11. Reattach baseboards.