Slope a problem for vinyl tiles?

[CandE]

I am planning on installing the self adhesive traffic master vinyl tiles on my laundry room floor. I pulled up the old linoleum which was all torn and cracked. The subfloor slopes about 3/8” towards the door starting at about the mid point of the room. Is this going to be a problem for the tiles? If so, any recommendations on how to fix it?

Thanks

[stullis]

Shouldn't be a problem for the tile.

[Bud Cline]

"Shouldn't be a problem" but be prepared to suffer some small gains and losses when you try to match the corners of the tiles.

Hills and valleys in substrates can cause tiles to mis-align.

[rusty baker]

Be aware, some of the cheaper, peel and stick, vinyl tiles will shrink over time.

[Mark in Tulsa]

rusty baker said Be aware, some of the cheaper, peel and stick, vinyl tiles will shrink over time.

Do they make a non cheap one? I've only used what the box stores sell.

[rusty baker]

I don't know. Years ago Armstrong made some pretty good ones.

[Nick Arrera]

Every time i used that stuff i just glued the floor with real glue .. never had a problem .. If there is a hump where it starts to slope i would say the tile will crack there ..

[Bud Cline]

If there is a hump where it starts to slope i would say the tile will crack there ..

Good point! I have done many VCT-type installations that have had floor subfloor variations for things such as drain-slopes and the like. I have myself convinced that if the tiles that are intended to crossover these type of variations are first heated then installed hot they will easily conform and stay put without cracking. Can't prove it 'cause I rarely go back but it's something to think about when doing the installation.

In the case of "peel 'n' stick" tiles (I call them lick 'n' stick") I have most always spread additional adhesive first. It seems the adhesive on the tiles is always abbreviated.

Never considered the peel and sticks to be of highest quality but they do offer designs that are otherwise hard to come by for some reason.

[Barry Carlton]

Nick Arrera said Every time i used that stuff i just glued the floor with real glue .. never had a problem .. If there is a hump where it starts to slope i would say the tile will crack there ..

I am on the same page with Nick. I always install it as I would regular VCT, glue the whole floor. Never have had a problem. But then, I have only installed about 7 or 8 peel-n-stick in 30 yrs.

b

[stullis]

Expectations for a good peel and stick tile should be tempered with a good dose of reality.

Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.