Bathroom floor - vinyl over vinyl?

Question

I'm about to turn over a two bedroom apartment ( in a 5 unit ). We are having the carpet replaced. The kitchen flooring, one-sheet vinyl is in good shape and so is the bathroom...sort of :-)

A previous tenant ( before we took over ) had used some sort of bathmat that stained the vinyl right by the tub. The stain is blue in color. I just can't get it out and it bugs me.

It bugs me enough that I want to see if I can put new vinyl over top of it for cometic reasons, but it doesn't bother me enough to have a professional do it as it actually costs more per sq. ft. to install than the carpeting.

I've never installed vinyl so that makes me nervous. But I just hate seeing that stain!

Any ideas? What about tile vinyl? That might be easier for me to install but not sure about longevity.

Jesse T. · Answer

I would go with vinyl flooring or some other self-install option.  I wouldn't worry about matching the kitchen to bathroom.

Supplying a bath mat might be an even easier/cheaper option.

Account Closed · Answer

You say the flooring is sheet vinyl?  Depending on how old and what type, you may be able to scrub/buff the stain out.  Older, commercial type vinyl is solid all the way through.  You should definitely try a magic eraser.  You can even use Bon Ami or Barkeeper's Friend.  However, test an area (like behind the toilet first), as those all are all abrasives and will change the texture and finish on your floor.

You say the stain is blue.  Is there any chance it's not a stain from the mat from above but moisture/mildew coming from the subfloor? Especially since you say it's right in front of the tub.

Michael Herr · Answer

Go with vinyl plank. Extra material cost won't matter for a small room like a bathroom ($2/sqft for the click-together)

Easy to install DIY, can install over existing and looks great.

The way I see it,  you got three options.

1)  Get a bathmat and put it over the issue (that's what i'd do)

2) vinyl or vinyl plank

3) tear everything out down to the joists and go ceramic/porcelain: most expensive,  but you'll never do that floor again.

Jeremiah Perry · Answer

Id say go with the tile like a few others have said.  If you buy the "project source" or something like that from home depot its crazy cheap I want to say .45 a sq ft and its really not that hard to do.  Itll save you in the long run.

Richard C. · Answer

No issue with different floors in the kitchen and bath.

I would also suggest tile, but not ceramic. Through-body porcelain tile costs barely more than ceramic for the materials, the same for the install, and is far more durable.

Jason Allen Taylor · Answer

you can get decent Armstrong sheet vinyl for floating installation for around a dollar per square foot at home depot. We have many property managers of apartments, assisted living, etc that request this for kitchenette and bathroom flooring.

Another inexpensive option is vinyl plank flooring. Slightly more expensive (about 1.70-1.90 per square foot) if you get the grip lock kind that adheres to itself and is also a floating install. More durable than sheet vinyl.

Neither are even remotely as durable as ceramic, so plan to replace as needed, but for a DIY install it doesn't get much easier. Plus if you do it yourself the total cost is next to nothing for a smaller room. Can easily be done in less than a day.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have questions or issues.

Account Closed · Answer

well, I don't have the budget right now to do ceramic in the bath and kitchen. ( I think it would look too mis-matchy to do one but not the other? ) I have another major repair/reno that needs to happen this summer that involve new windows and sliding glass doors for about 5 units. So, I am trying to save some money right now, but would not be against doing ceramic down the road.

Marcia Maynard - I have not tried the eraser pen! I will give that a shot.

Marcia Maynard - I have not tried the eraser pen! I will give that a shot.

Ken A. · Answer

Just a cheap thought.  Try peel and stick and create a "border" look around it all? Or do all bathroom.  Probably only if lower end rental.

Marcia Maynard · Answer

What have you tried so far to try to remove the blue stain? Sometimes "Magic Eraser" works well on vinyl, plastic, and enamel where other cleansers fail.

Consider that the next tenant will also put down a bath mat and cover it up... problem solved?! Just make sure to note all existing damage prior to the next tenant's move-in.

Michael Noto · Answer

I agree with @Eddie T..  If you are looking for a long term solution just bite the bullet an go with ceramic tile.  It will last a very long time.

Bathroom floor - vinyl over vinyl?

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