Replace bathroom floor

[samsmom1125]

Hi ~ I have a home that's 16 years old I bought a few months ago. There is ugly black peel and stick vinyl tile on the floor. I have a small, extra bathroom where I would like to attempt to do the floor myself. My question is do I need to pull up this old tile before putting new down? If not, what should be put down first before the new tile? I do plan on using peel and stick for the new tile. Let's assume there will not be a problem with height if it goes right on top...

Also, there is quarter-round that will have to come up. Can that get used again, or does new quarter-round need to be used? Thanks!

[Fischer]

First layer of tile should be removed. If not, there may be a problem with the bottom layer, and adhesion.

1/4 round may be used again, but remove gently and in stages.

[moto]

1/4 round is not that expensive. It might be best to not bother trying to save it.

[samsmom1125]

First layer of tile should be removed. If not, there may be a problem with the bottom layer, and adhesion.

1/4 round may be used again, but remove gently and in stages.

What do you think is under that first layer of tile? If I pull up the black tile, and remove all the old glue/adhesive, is there something else that should come up? Does anything go down before the new tile? Any sublayers?

[pushkins]

Sometimes the tile will come up quick and easy and the remaining glue can be removed fairly easy with a solvent (available from Lowe's/HD), then the new tiles can be laid.
If this is not the case and copious amounts of glue remain, it might be quicker and easier to lay another 1/8" sheet of flooring ply over the top of the previous sub floor, this ply will need to be nailed/stapled down then a primer brushed on and finally your tile replaced.

[Fischer]

What do you think is under that first layer of tile? If I pull up the black tile, and remove all the old glue/adhesive, is there something else that should come up? Does anything go down before the new tile? Any sublayers?

Hi, There's no guarantees on what is below the original layer. What's supposed to be under the tile is a 1/4" layer of plywood or a certified underlayment for tile or sheet goods. If it's a peel and stick, it should come off pretty easy. If it takes some of the underlayment off, you'll have to get some leveler like "Fix-All", and smooth out the surface. Same thing holds true if you put another layer of 1/4" underlayment over the whole floor. Usually you have to nail with a ring shank nail 6" on center and fill the seams and go over all the nail holes with "Fix-All" if you don't want those to telegraph through the new flooring.

Sounds way more difficult than it really is. The leveler is quite easy to use, dries in 5 minutes, just pour a little pile (a very little pile till you get used to it) of the powder on the floor, add a little water and smooth on. Doesn't have to be perfect, but should not stick up above the underlayment.

Regarding reusing the 1/4 round--if you use the old you won't have to do any more than a little touch up on paint. If you use new, you'll have to do at least 2 coats of paint, and adding to the land fill.