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Need advice on covering tiles w carpet

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have a floor made of black vinyl tiles that are becoming dislodged. I feel them cracking and rocking as I walk. The room is about 6x9. I suspect there is asbestos under these tiles as there was in the adjacent building where asbestos abatement occurred.

I have read about encapsulating the floor with a sub floor but I would like to have something the same level as the current floor without disturbing the tiles.

I've also read that carpet near the full size of the room with a rubber mat would be sufficient for the goal of not moving the tiles further, not hearing the cracking as I walk and providing a cushion.

What about pouring a sealant on the floor and spreading it with a roller like stain or wax is applied?

What is this the best, cheapest plan? I appreciate your opinion.

Thanks!

Marion

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Comments (4)

PRO
Cinar Interiors, Inc.
6 years ago
Cheapest? Builder grade carpet with a 3/8" 4lb pad would be our cheapest route. To give you an idea of pricing (based upon our Texas location) $2.11 sf installed (material, tax and labor)
Check with your local flooring store about their instock carpet products. (do not allow them to up sale you on better pad with cheap carpet...it's not needed)
Marion thanked Cinar Interiors, Inc.
SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
As Cinar points out the cheapest/easiest way is to leave the tiles in place and then cover it with wall to wall carpet. The tiles are popping up which means adding any other floor on top will require plenty of work. And work means money. Wall to wall carpet is the safest, fastest, cheapest solution.
Marion thanked SJ McCarthy
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Marion
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you both!

What type of pad should I use for 6 X 8 or 9' carpet? This is my office space so not mine permanently. I need a carpet I can take with and either a permanent floor covering like something I can pour on or cover the effected tiles and put a carpet on top. Is there a liquid like something that can be put down with a sponge mop like wax or a rubber mat like a chair mat but supplement the floor isn't flat.

I could install carpet, a tight weave, that would be the perfect solution.

I really appreciate your help.

M
SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
As Cinar already stated, you simply need to go to a carpet store and speak with them. There is nothing you can pour over the tiles to make it ready for more flooring (there are but the COST is astronomical if this is asbestos). Simply leave the voids as they are and put down the lower grade pad and the carpet. This happens ALL THE TIME. So often we see basement carpets removed only to find out there are DOZENS of voids where old vinyl tiles had popped out years ago. With carpet + pad you won't even notice.

And if you leave, have a professional come in a tear it up for you. If you must have a removable floor, you can pay a bit more money to have the carpet company cut and then custom bind the edges to the PERFECTLY FIT rug that is exactly the dimensions of the room. As for pads under that form of install, I'm a little out of my depth.

You are welcome to walk into any carpeting retailer and discuss your project with them. They will be happy to help.

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