How To Use Vinyl Flooring Adhesive? [On Strips, Sheets & Planks Floor]

how to use vinyl flooring adhesive

You know that vinyl flooring is cost-effective and easy to install. But you do not exactly know how the flooring system works. Again, you are skeptical about the adhesive used for vinyl flooring, as you heard they are bad for health. If this is you right now, you have come to the right place. 

I am a DIY (Do It Yourself) Home Improvement Forum moderator. In this article, I will share my experience on how to use vinyl flooring adhesive without making any mistakes. I will also answer some common questions about vinyl adhesives in the latter part of this article.

I believe, if you know how to use the adhesive safely and properly, you know almost all about installing vinyl floorings. To tell you the use of the adhesives, I need to tell you about the whole vinyl flooring installation process too. Because you will not be able to use adhesives effectively if any other step of the installation goes wrong. In this article I will tell you about: 

10 Steps To Use Adhesive On Vinyl Strip Flooring:

Vinyl strip flooring is very popular among low-income-group people. To save money and time at the same time, vinyl strip flooring is a perfect choice. Let me tell you about the 10 specific steps I took to use adhesive for vinyl strip flooring, without any mistakes:

Step 1- Arrange All Required Materials & Equipment:

Being well organized is the key to efficiency. Before anything, get all the materials and tools you need for vinyl strip flooring. They are listed here:

  • Acrylic Adhesive
  • Plywood subfloor
  • Vinyl Strip Flooring
  • V-notched Trowel
  • 100 Lb. Roller
  • Utility Knife
  • Measuring Tape
  • Orbital Sander
  • A Rag
  • Laminate Roller
  • Knee Pads
  • Chalk Line
  • Safety Glasses
  • Gloves

Step 2- Make The Floor Even:

You have to make sure that the floor area is completely even. The best way to do so is to sand out the whole floor, using a sander machine. Do not forget to wear the knee pads and all other protective gear before using the sanding machine. 

Place the plywood subfloor carefully and sand it too. Be careful about not leaving any uneven patches. The subfloor has to be dry and smooth.

Step 3- Clear The Floor Area:

Using a dry broom, clean the whole subfloor very cautiously. Remove oil, grease, or any other sticky elements from the subfloor using a cleaning agent. Close the windows and the doors to prevent any dust from falling on the floor. 

Step 4- Make Sure The Floor Is Not Damp:

A little bit of moisture will not allow the adhesive to work well. So, You have to confirm that it is completely moisture-free. To be sure, perform a test.

Cover a square foot area of the subfloor with a polythene sheet and seal it with the floor with tapes. Leave it for 5-6 hours. Now check if you can feel any moisture in the sealed area of the floor with your hands. If the floor sweats, you have to make it dry.

To dry up the moist subfloor, first, you have to soak the moisture from the whole floor with a dry and clean cloth. Then use a dehumidifier to get rid of the moisture of the air. Perform the moisture test again. Repeat this step until there is no moisture left in the subfloor.

Step 5- Confirm The Flooring Layout:

In this step, we will finalize the overall layout of the vinyl strips. We will start by drawing a reference line parallel to all the walls of the room. The distance from the wall and the reference line should be the exact width of the vinyl strips.

Now place the vinyl strips on the subfloor, beginning from the center of the room, up to the reference line. Cut the last strips of each row to fit the reference lines. Mark the strips with cut and put aside all the strips.

Step 6- Replicate All Angles Of The Room Into Strips:

Make an angle with two strips at each corner of the room. They should overlap each other. Now, draw a line on the upper strip, exactly where it has overlapped the strip below. Cut the upper vinyl strip with a utility knife. Mark the strip with cuts separately for future reference.

Step 7- Spread The Adhesive:

Stir the acrylic adhesive well before using it. Now with a 1/16″ V-notched trowel, spread the adhesive all over the floor. You should maintain a 60-degree angle for the trowel while spreading the adhesive. It will give you better control over the process.

Make sure the adhesive is spread evenly throughout the whole floor. Use the trowel properly so that not a single drop of adhesive is left anywhere. Use a mop to wipe out the extra adhesive.

Step 8- Rest The Adhesive To Set:

This is a very important step of the process. You must leave the adhesive to dry out to some extent to get it adapted to the subfloor. Wait around 15 minutes to check on the adhesive. 

The best way to know if they are ready is to put the backside of your hand on them. If any bit of adhesive sticks on your hand, it is not ready yet. 

Step 9- Place The Strips On The Adhesive:

Now that your adhesive is ready, place the strips one after one following the layout. Do not forget to press them hard on the floor. Make sure no strips get slid. It will ruin the adhesive.

Gently wipe out all the strips with a clean rag. It will take away any extra adhesive. Now, use a laminate roller to properly set the vinyl strips in their places. 

Step 10- Roll The 100-Pound Roller:

This is the final step. Get the 100-Lbs roller on the newly vinyl striped floor. Thoroughly roll over the strips for 10 minutes. Give your new vinyl strip flooring rest for a day and it’s all yours!

How To Use Adhesive On Vinyl Sheet Flooring: [7 Steps]

Here are the 7 simple steps to use adhesive on vinyl sheet flooring:

Step 1- Prepare The Floor:

Vinyl sheet flooring can be installed on any dry and clean surface. But you have to check the moisture level of the floor. Use a dry mop and humidifier if the floor is moist. 

You will need special fillers to install vinyl sheets over old vinyl, wooden or ceramic tiles. Use any hardening filler agent to make the subfloor even and smooth. 

Step 2- Cut A Paper Template:

It is much easier to take the exact measurement of the floor if you make a paper template of the whole area. Use thick and heavy paper for the template. Overlay the paper across the room. Straighten up the paper in the middle. Draw the borderlines of the floor on the paper cautiously and meticulously. Cut the template paper to the drawn line. Keep the template paper over the vinyl sheet and cut the sheet to give a shape, identical to the paper.

Step 3- Set A Plywood Underlayment: 

For long-lasting vinyl sheet flooring, use an underlayment. You can use plywood, recommended for being used as an underlayment for vinyl sheet flooring. Cut the plywood, identical to the paper template, and set it on the floor. Make sure the plywood is as smooth as possible. 

Step 4- Spread The Adhesive On The Plywood:

Stir the acrylic adhesive well and spread them all over the plywood with a trowel. For better control, maintain a 60-degree angle of the trowel while doing the job.

Spread the adhesive evenly all over the plywood. Make sure no extra adhesive is left on the plywood. 

Step 5- Let The Adhesive Be Adapted:

Leave the adhesive to dry for some time. Let it dry until they do not come up with the touch of your hand. 

Step 6- Place The Vinyl Sheet:

Place the vinyl sheet covering the whole area of the floor. If it is a big room, do it part by part. Glue down one part of the sheet. Fold it back and then glue down the other part. Be careful about air bubbles under the vinyl sheet. Get them out of the sheet, using the trowel. Clean the extra adhesive off the vinyl sheet. Use a laminate roller to set the vinyl sheet properly.

Step 7- Roll The 100-Pound Roller:

Get the 100-Lbs roller on top of the vinyl sheet. Roll till the sheet looks hardened. Now give the floor a full-day rest to be ready for use.

How To Use Vinyl Flooring Adhesive On Vinyl Plank Flooring:

The process of using adhesive on vinyl plank flooring is very similar to that of vinyl strip flooring. Here are the steps:

Step 1- Prepare The Floor:

First, you have to acclimate or adapt the floor by maintaining the room temperature between 65° to 85°F for 48 hours. Make sure the room is clean. A vinyl plank floor can be set on concrete, tile, or wooden subfloor. Check if the floor is completely even and clean. For concrete floors, check for moisture and use a dehumidifier if needed.

Step 2- Finalise The Plank Layout:

Draw a reference line parallel to all the walls of the room. The distance from the wall and the reference line should be the width of the vinyl plank.

Now place the planks, beginning from the center of the room. Cut the last planks of each row to fit the reference line. 

Step 3- Replicate Angles Of The Room Into Planks:

Put two planks in each corner of the room to make angles. Overlap one plank on the other. Draw a line on the upper plank exactly where it overlapped the other plank. Cut the upper vinyl plank through the drawn line with a utility knife.

Step 4- Apply Adhesive:

Use a vinyl adhesive for the floor. Carefully follow the exact instructions for the adhesive from its manufacturer. Spread the adhesive all over the floor with a trowel. 

Let the adhesive get set on the floor for some time. Ensure the adhesive is tacky enough to prevent tiles from sliding. Wipe out the whole floor with a dry mop to clean off any extra adhesive.

Step 5- Place The Vinyl Planks On The Adhesive:

Place the strips upon the glue one after one, following your layout. Press the planks hard with your hands. 

Wipe the planks with a clean rag. Use a laminate roller to get them adapted to the floor.

Step 6- Roll The Roller:

Get a 100-Lbs roller on the floor. Thoroughly roll over the planks to make them hardened. Keep your new vinyl plank flooring in rest for a day. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Vinyl Flooring Adhesive:

How Many Types Of Vinyl Adhesives Are There?

There are mainly four types of vinyl adhesives:

  1. Superglue (Cyanoacrylates):

Super glues are considered best to attach vinyl floors. They absorb moisture from the air, creating a mesh-like strong bond.

  1. Epoxies:

Epoxies glue works better with heavy types of vinyl. Sometimes, they are found as putty, which fills gaps as well as creating bonding.

  1. Polyurethane:

Polyurethane glue comes in various forms. They are ideal for thinner vinyl. They also are preferred while attaching vinyl with other types of surfaces like plastic or wood. 

  1. Silicone:

Silicone type of vinyl adhesives works fine with a rigid type of vinyl. They are not meant for use on soft vinyl.

Can You Glue A Vinyl With Another Vinyl?

To bond a vinyl with another vinyl, there is vinyl Cement. They are also used for sealing the seams of vinyl planks.

Does Loose Lay Vinyl Plank Flooring Need Adhesive?

Loose lay vinyl planks need adhesive only on the edges of the floor area. All other planks lay loose inside, without being glued with adhesive.

What Is The Best Adhesive To Glue Down Vinyls With Concrete Floors?

You can use the spray adhesive- 3M 90 Adhesive Spray or the paste adhesive- Weldwood Multipurpose Flooring Adhesive Paste. The paste adhesive is suggested for big rooms. Whereas in a small room the spray works more efficiently.

What Adhesive Do You Use To Put Down Vinyl Flooring?

For vinyl floors, acrylic-based adhesives are used commonly. Because they are heat-resistant and resilient to both temperature and moisture.

Can You Use Spray Adhesive On Vinyl Flooring?

You can use some approved Spray Adhesives on vinyl tiles, sheets, and planks. It works quicker than a paste adhesive. Spray adhesives for vinyl flooring are most effective for a small size floor. For big hall rooms and lobbies, adhesive paste works better.

How Do You Remove Vinyl Flooring Adhesive?

Commercially available floor strippers can be used to remove the vinyl flooring adhesive. Another solution is acetone-based nail polish remover. Nail polish remover, with a dry cotton cloth, can help you get rid of the vinyl flooring adhesive. Some people use mineral spirits with nail polish remover to remove the adhesive.

Which Is The Best Vinyl Adhesive Remover?

There are many commercial vinyl adhesive removers in the market. You can also try using a cotton cloth with some nail polish remover on it. However, these articles will be more helpful for you to know more about vinyl flooring. Vinyl Flooring Ideas For Living Room , How To Protect Vinyl Flooring From Heavy Furniture .

How Long Does It Take For Vinyl Flooring Adhesive To Dry?

Generally, Vinyl flooring adhesives need 24 hours to get completely dry. Urethane glues generally dry within 10 – 20 hours after application.

Should Vinyl Flooring Be Glued Down?

Else than the loose lay vinyl flooring, all other types of vinyl flooring need to be glued down to the floor. Loose lay vinyl flooring needs adhesives only on the border area. 

Can You Lay Vinyl Flooring Over Old Glue?

For the best installation of vinyl flooring, you should clear the old glue from the floor. You can scrape, sand, or strip the old adhesive. Your secondary option can be, laying a new underlayment or a false floor over the old glue.

Final Remarks:

After reading this article, I hope now you have a good idea about how to use vinyl flooring adhesive. To be extra cautious, use my article only as a guide. Never forget to follow the instructions that the manufacturers of the adhesive provided.

Jahidul Alam

Hello dear! This is Jahidul Alam. I am the admin of this Tidy Floor. I have been in the floor cleaning business for the last 20 years. My business is all about ensuring affordable flooring cleaning services for Americans.

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