In the process of overhaul, there are a lot of nuances regarding the finish of many surfaces, but it is the floor covering that is most concerned. This is true, as many masters claim that the choice and installation of floor coverings is a capital investment in repairs. Most often, linoleum is used for decoration, but it also needs to be properly laid. At the time of coating replacement, the question arises as to whether linoleum can be laid on old linoleum. Having decided on such a nuance of installation, you can save time, financial strength. What will be the verdict?
To lay or not to lay - that is the question
There is no unequivocal answer to the question whether linoleum can be laid on old linoleum - each master has his own opinion on this matter. Most are inclined to believe that it is still possible to lay new material on the old, but not always.
There are several points that will determine the opportunity:
- The first thing you should pay attention to is the state of reinforcement of the old coating. If it is normal, then another layer of linoleum can be laid on top.
- Cracks on the old surface are acceptable. Pits and the absence of pieces are unacceptable to the secondary covering of such a base.
- It is contraindicated to put new material on the old, if mold, fungus is present on the coating.
- Old linoleum with signs of warping is not suitable as a “substrate” for the new coating option.
In order not to risk new material, you can remove the old version of the coating, eliminate the shortcomings of the floor itself. Then lay the old material and only then install the new one.
When it’s definitely not worth laying new material on old
When evaluating an existing coating, it is sometimes difficult to determine exactly whether linoleum can be laid on an old one. Factors that accurately rule out secondary flooring with linoleum:
- On a material of a very old sample, you can not put a new one. The substrate on such a product is usually of poor quality, and therefore not suitable for the base.
- If before this the premises were used for other purposes and the coating accumulated a lot of dirt and bacteria, then it is absolutely impossible to leave it for reuse.
- If the old coating has peeled off or lagged behind the concrete floor, then it is not worth laying a new construction “product” on it.
- An uneven floor is a 100% recommendation not to put new material on old.
- If the apartment has recently been bought and repairs are being redone after the old owners, then leaving the old base is undesirable.
If you want to make everything new and clean, it is better to completely dismantle the old coating.
Features of this finish
When the answer to the question whether linoleum can be laid on old linoleum is found, it is important to familiarize yourself with the features of this finishing option. There are many advantages:
- In the absence of dismantling of the old coating, a lot of time is saved.
- There is no need for a thorough foundation preparation.
- Thanks to the presence of two layers of finishing material, thermal insulation and sound insulation are improved.
- Installation is clean because there is no construction debris that occurs after removal of old linoleum.
- Financial savings, since there is no need for laying the substrate and finishing the floor.
There are also disadvantages. The service life of such a ceiling can be less - linoleum can collect in waves. Sometimes, in order to leave the old base, it is nevertheless necessary to dismantle all the material, carry out finishing work and only then lay the finish base.
Principles of choosing linoleum
If the decision as to whether it is possible to lay the new linoleum on the old one has already been found, it is worth taking care about choosing the right material:
- For domestic use, you need to choose a base with a thickness of at least 0.35-0.6 mm. The semi-commercial or commercial version of the product has the best wear resistance.
- A substrate must be present on newly purchased material. If you need additional noise or heat insulation, it is advisable to choose a foamed substrate.
- An ideal option would be a homogeneous type of linoleum. The only drawback of this option may be the manifestation of dark bands and spots during operation.
In addition, you need to consider the cross-country ability, functionality and the principle of mechanical impact in the room. These factors will significantly affect the choice of material.
Store inspection guidelines
In order not to be mistaken with the choice of linoleum, you need to conduct several tests in the store itself:
- Check the quality of homogeneous linoleum - bend the corner. If small cracks form on the bend, then the production technology has been violated. During the operation of this product variant, non-laundered spots and strips will appear on the surface over time.
- It is mandatory to carry out basic tests that are relevant when choosing this material - to check the viciousness when bending, the degree of fastening of the substrate - by rolling, product quality certificates.
- Consult a sales assistant to find out all the features and characteristics of the product. It is advisable to choose products of famous brands.
If all the criteria are normal, then it is quite possible to lay such linoleum on top of the old one.
Tools for work
Is it possible to lay linoleum on old linoleum without suitable tools for this? Of course not! List of necessary devices for carrying out operational work on laying:
- A steel ruler that will become relevant when cutting and cutting pieces from a common canvas.
- Metal tape measure, pencils and marker.
- Construction knife with a removable blade. Additionally prepare blades of various configurations.
- Narrow and wide spatula for applying and distributing glue.
- Roller, boards and vanes for pressing and leveling linoleum. Such tools are needed to remove excess glue and air from under the material.
- Device for cutting and "welding" of joints between strips and parts of the material.
Depending on the features of the old coating, additional tools may be needed.
Preparatory work: preparing the surface
Before you lay linoleum on an old linoleum, you should inquire about the rules for preparing the old surface. It is carried out in several stages:
- The skirting board needs to be removed first.
- All places where the old coating was peeled off from the floor must be glued. By the same principle, air bubbles are eliminated.
- Old linoleum needs to be washed and all stains and pollution should be removed from its surface. Allow to dry.
- "Weld" the seams between the strips of cloths. Cracks can be repaired with silicone sealant and smoothed out with a rubber spatula. Wait until it solidifies.
- Degrease the surface and then make a primer.
At this preparatory stage of the floor surface is fully completed.
The principle of laying material on an old coating
In order not to spoil the new coating, it is important to familiarize yourself with the work algorithm in order to correctly lay linoleum on old linoleum. This procedure is carried out in several main stages, after preliminary preparation of the old framework:
- The paintings are cut along the contours of the room. Spread the rolls with a knife, cut and cut along the walls with a construction knife. It is recommended to leave a margin of 5 cm along the walls.
- Leave the canvases for 2-3 days on the floor so that the canvases straighten out and take the necessary shapes. Before attaching directly again, check the fit of the joints and cuts.
- Lubricate the inside of linoleum with glue (stick strips of adhesive tape) and put it in place.
- Using special boards and rollers, press the material to the floor, remove air and excess glue from under the cover.
- If seams are formed between the strips, they need to be “welded”. A special tool for welding seams will cope with such work.
- Glue strips of masking tape on both sides of the joints, which will help maintain the cleanliness of the rest of the fabric.
- Lubricate the intershell space with the composition directly from the tube. Remove excess material with a rubber spatula.
- When the “welding” hardens, remove the masking tape.
Other webs of material are fixed in the same way. After complete drying, plinths and sills are attached.
Recommendation for inexperienced craftsmen
Inexperienced masters often wonder how to lay linoleum on old linoleum itself.
The procedure is carried out according to the standard algorithm, but there is an additional recommendation - before the final installation, it is imperative to check several times the correctness of the cutting, the tightness of the joints.
That is, it is necessary to follow popular wisdom - measure seven times, and cut one.
Secrets to Finishing
The instruction on how to lay a new linoleum on the old one is quite understandable and simple. But there are several nuances that can simplify the procedure and help maintain a high quality result.
Secrets to doing quality work:
- To linoleum straightened and lay down as evenly as possible, it is advisable to spread the material 2 days before laying.
- It is important to maintain an optimal microclimate, at which the temperature should be from 18 to 24 degrees, and humidity should not exceed 65%.
- No need to use glue or adhesive tape for mounting linoleum, if the room area is small. The necessary fastening will provide skirting boards and sills.
- To install a new linoleum on a new one, it is advisable to use a special type of glue, which guarantees increased strength.
- Until the glue dries, you can not open the windows for ventilation or change the temperature, humidity.
If you follow such simple recommendations, the installation result will be effective. Linoleum will lie flat, will not puff during operation and will last a very long time.