Layering Vinyl Flooring

A: Depending on your situation, it is usually better to lay new flooring directly to the concrete or wood underlayment. There are times when you should install over the existing floor, however.

• If you have a moisture problem, then leaving the older layer in place will act as a moisture barrier and protect the new flooring from discoloring.
• The age of your old floor also plays a significant part in determining whether to pull it up. OSHA requires testing of floors installed before 1978. If asbestos is present in your old floor, it must be removed by a licensed asbestos abatement company, which can be expensive. Homeowners often opt to save time and money by just covering it over with new flooring.

Kathy Maynard has been matching homeowners with home improvement contractors since 1990 and has written scores of articles advising homeowners how to find, hire and work with reputable service professionals. She also authors Weekend Warrior, a weekly home improvement column in The Sacramento Bee.