Question about vinyl flooring...

[chicagofan]

Is sheet vinyl the only, or best flooring for use on an uneven kitchen floor? I've been here almost 20 yrs., and suffered with the rolling floor, so I'm not interested in spending money to cure that problem at this late date.

I'm an over the hill female who will have to pay for everything to be done by someone else. So I want to choose the easiest installation for them, to hopefully save money. However, I do want a good flooring product. The one I have now is still shining after all these years, but it has some black marks I can't get rid of, and is pulling away from the walls where the floor has warped.

Any advice and/or suggestions on brands/products/prices, will be appreciated. :) bj

[Joey]

This is going to be a tough one, sortof. I hate to say it, but you must deal with the uneven floor. You wouldn't drive your brand new car down the roughest road and tear it up would you ?

There are two options available, one less expensive. The first is to either tear up the top floor layer and replace it or put down a 1/4 inch covering if the underfloor is not that bad. The second method is to take some floor leveling compound (white power you mix with water) and apply it to level the floor in the bad areas. It hardens quickly. After getting it level then you can proceed to the flooring. That's a matter of taste, lot of options out there.

J

chicagofan wrote:

[Joey]

Sure there is some money involved, but would she be happy with uneven flooring a year from now ? The level compound is only $7 a bag where I live.

J

Edw>

[Edwin Pawlowski]

If the road between where you work and where you live is a rough road, do you just stay home and hibernate because you don't want to drive on it.? Sure, fixing it is a good idea, but flexible sheet goods can be and have been laid on uneven floors for decades. If she is willing to accept the tradeoffs, she should just go for it. Fixing that floor may be much too costly for her.

[trader4]

" Sounds like you need some estimates from local craftsmen that can inspect your kitchen and see what can be done. I don't think vinly is any better than any other covering on an uneven surface. In fact, I consider it the worst. "

While I agree the job should be done right by leveling the old floor if at all possible and that she may not be happy with the results if she doesn't, why would sheet vinyl be the worst material? I would think it would be one of the best as it's flexible and has few if any seams. What's better then?

Vinyl tiles? Pergo? Wood? Seems all over to open up Ceramic Tile - Will surely crack Carpet - Poor choice for a kitchen

What's left then?

[JimL]

Sounds like you need some estimates from local craftsmen that can inspect your kitchen and see what can be done. I don't think vinly is any better than any other covering on an uneven surface. In fact, I consider it the worst.

[trader4]

" Actually, I don't see any of those things happening. You use the proper amount of thinset or paste or mastic and the stuff will stay where you put it and nothing will crack if it has a solid layer of 'stuff' on it. What will happen is that it will still be unlevel and uneven, whether vinyl or ceramic. Round things will roll to the corner when you drop them so don't drop them!

On a limited budget like she has, I still vote for mildly expensive beautiful tile applied over uneven floors for the most bang for the the buck"

On a limited budget, tile over sheet vinyl? You gotta be kidding.

Plus, floors that are rolling out of level on an old house that she won't fix are the absolute worst place to put ceramic tile. Uneven rolling floors are signs of serious movement which there is no reason to believe isn't going to continue, unless fixed. That will crack or pop tile. Vinyl sheet will just flex.

[Goedjn]

I suspect, given the descriptor "rolling" in the original post, that the unevenness is a little more than what you'd normally try to fix with leveling compound.

Depending on what's under the existing surface, sheet vinyl or even paint is going to be the most cost-effective.

>

[JimL]

Actually, I don't see any of those things happening. You use the proper amount of thinset or paste or mastic and the stuff will stay where you put it and nothing will crack if it has a solid layer of 'stuff' on it. What will happen is that it will still be unlevel and uneven, whether vinyl or ceramic. Round things will roll to the corner when you drop them so don't drop them!

On a limited budget like she has, I still vote for mildly expensive beautiful tile applied over uneven floors for the most bang for the the buck.

[G Henslee]

You were spot on with your earlier post.

[G Henslee]

Considering the conditions, your budget, etc; and without corrective measures to make the floor even, the vinyl would probably be the least expensive. It would certainly be the easiest install compared to ceramic or wood.

[E Gregory]

So you just buy the $7 bag of level compound and the floor is level? I don't think so.

Joey wrote:

[trader4]

This home was new 20 yrs ago and the floor was not level then? Before I put a new one down I would find out exactly what's wrong and how to fix it. The way you initially described it, I had the image of an old house with lots of uneven settlement. A problem that might continue and could be costly to fix because there could be structural issues. But if were talking about a floor that was just a little uneven when the house was built 20 years ago and has stayed pretty much the same over that time, I think that's a different story. I would definitely look at what it would take to get the floor straightened out, as it may very well not be that expensive or hard to do.

[chicagofan]

I think everyone has convinced me I should stick with the sheet vinyl for easiest installation and performance. It's only real drawback is fewer design choices. :\\

This rolling floor problem was in the house when originally built. I had it on my inspection sheet to be repaired before closing, but allowed them to postpone the date... which was a mistake. After hounding Centex Homes for weeks after the closing, they sent a guy out here, who took a #&^%$#@ hammer out and started beating on the *surface* of the floor. Of course, I immediately stopped him, but not before he left some indentations. Needless to say, I never got any satisfaction out of them, but I just wanted everyone to know it wasn't a *new* problem. A man might not even notice the roll unless told about it, I'm not sure... but most women would I'm sure. ;)

I really appreciate all the answers guys... thanks so much.

Barbara

[chicagofan]

That's what I was thinking, thanks for the confirmation. :) I have unfinished basement storage space under the kitchen, but I still think it would probably be too costly to level the floor. bj

[chicagofan]

It's really almost 19 yrs, but yes... from build date.

Since the floor structure is open in the unfinished storage room below, I will ask for estimates, if they can see what is wrong. Thanks for the advice. :) bj