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Flooring and Carpeting/Ceramic over linoleum

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Expert: John Michaels - 6/25/2009


Question

bathroom linoleum
Hello,
A few months ago I dealt with a flooring company who installed ceramic tile without first removing the vinyl cushion flooring, as they had said they would. This was in the kitchen, 2 bathrooms and entry. (photo attached). What would this do to the life expectancy of the floor?
Thank you very much.
Jane

Answer
Hi Jane;Here's what I would do.  First I would visit the website of the tile manufacturer and download the free installation specifications for the tiles you purchased.  Read those specifications thoroughly.  They will detail many important things including acceptable underlayments.  That website will also have contact information, which is usually an 800#.  Call the manufacturer and speak to their technical services dept.  Tell them what happened, and ask them to point you to the area(s) on those specifications where it would indicate that a vinyl cushioned floor is an unacceptable or acceptable underlayment.  I believe it is an unacceptable underlayment.  Flexing, because of the cushioned vinyl, may cause the tiles to crack.  If you had them installed with grout, the grout may crack, as well.  So the life expectancy would not be related to wear, but permanent damage, requiring the entire installation to be taken up and properly replaced with new tiles over a proper underlayment.  The mortar adhesive used to bond the back of the tiles to the surface of the vinyl floor may not be compatable with that vinyl floor surface, causing an installation related failure.  That failure may occur soon, or 'down the road'.  If your sales contract indicates any installation warranties, the time limit of those warranties may fall short of future damages, if the installation was done improperly.  You really need to protect yourself and your investment so don't have any more verbal contact with anyone involved in the sale.  Once you have determined there is an installation error, either contact an attorney, which, I feel, would be your best option, or send a letter to with whomever you contracted for the installation, demanding a total replacement, if you have proof (the installation specifications), showing that the vinyl cushioned floor is an unacceptable underlayment for the tiles.
Send that letter certified mail with a return receipt request, and keep a copy of the letter for yourself.  I am NOT an attorney, so I cannot give you any legal advice.  Once you have proof of any improper installation procedures, then contact an attorney and have he or she send the proper letters.  If there is an installation error, then, I feel, your attorney should also demand attornies' fees to be paid by the 'defendants'.  If you have any problems contacting or finding out the name of the tile manufacturer, please feel free to get back to me.

Cordially,

John Michaels

Since you can't get the needed information from the dealer, you really need the services of an attorney.

John Michaels

Expertise

All questions pertaining to all indoor floor coverings regarding best products to choose, proper installation techniques, and proper maintenance techniques.

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We are a nationwide floor covering inspection service. We inspect all types of indoor floor coverings in every city and town in all 50 States and in all the Provinces of Canada. We see where errors in choice of product, improper installation, and improper maintenance lead to complaints being registered and we are then called upon to inspect those products and issue certified reports indicating from where those complaint issues eminate. We have done this type of work for over 40 years.

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