LESLIE: We’ve got James in Texas on the line with a flooring question. How can we help you with this project?
JAMES: Yes. I’m wondering about installing ceramic tile over existing vinyl flooring.
TOM: OK.
JAMES: I’ve heard both sides of the argument on that, whether sometimes you have to peel it up and scrape all the paper and sometimes you can go right over the top of it. I just wondered what you all’s opinion was on that.
TOM: You want to glue the ceramic tile down with tile adhesive?
JAMES: Yeah, with thin-set.
TOM: Oh, you can’t go on top of the vinyl. You’re going to have to put an underlayment down first.
JAMES: OK. It’s concrete floor.
TOM: Right. But you can’t go on top of the vinyl; it’s not going to stick.
JAMES: Oh.
LESLIE: It might even actually cause the vinyl to break down.
TOM: Yeah. I don’t like that idea at all.
LESLIE: And then cause the adhesive underneath your ceramic tile to start to move and then as you step on those tiles, those tiles will crack.
JAMES: Oh, OK. Alright. So I’ll scrape up all the old vinyl and the paper and …
TOM: And go from there. That’s right. You need to have good adhesion.
JAMES: OK. Alright. Well, thank you for the answer.
TOM: You’re welcome, James. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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