The Perfect Pool House Floor: Installing Loose Lay Flooring

Installing loose-lay flooring in your pool house is a great idea, as it is a durable, waterproof, and cost-effective option. This type of flooring is easy to install and can be done by anyone with some basic tools and preparation. Loose-lay flooring does not require adhesive, making it a good choice for covering surfaces such as painted concrete. Here are the steps you can follow to install loose-lay flooring in your pool house:

Step 1: Gather Materials

Ensure you have all the necessary materials and tools, including a utility knife, double-sided adhesive tape, and loose-lay flooring.

Step 2: Subfloor Preparation

Clean and level your subfloor, ensuring it is flat, dry, and free of debris. Check for any bulges or lumps and use a grinder or chisel to level them.

Step 3: Installation Preparation

Calculate the amount of flooring needed by multiplying the length and width of the room. Acclimate the flooring to the room temperature for at least 48 hours before installation.

Step 4: Loose-Lay Flooring Installation

Lay strips of double-sided adhesive tape around the perimeter of the room. Cut and lay the first plank against the wall, ensuring it is straight. Continue laying planks, staggering the rows for a professional look.

Step 5: Cut Around Obstacles

When you reach obstacles like pipes or doorways, carefully measure and cut the flooring to fit. Use a jigsaw or utility knife to make precise cuts.

Step 6: Secure the Flooring

Use the recommended adhesive or a tab system to secure the flooring in place. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

Step 7: Reinstall Baseboards and Fixtures

Once the flooring is secure, reinstall any baseboards, cabinets, or other fixtures that were removed.

By following these steps, you can easily install loose-lay flooring in your pool house, creating a durable and attractive space.

Installation Characteristics and Values

Prep the subfloor

The subfloor is the foundation for your loose lay flooring, so it's important to ensure it is properly prepared before starting the installation. Here are the steps you need to take to prep the subfloor in your pool house:

Firstly, inspect the subfloor for any damage or unevenness. If you have a concrete subfloor, use a level to check for any slopes or deviations from level. If there are any holes or low spots, fill them in with a self-levelling compound. For a wood subfloor, ensure that the plywood or OSB is in good condition and replace any damaged sections.

Next, clean the subfloor thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. Sweep or vacuum the surface to get rid of loose particles. If there is any old adhesive from previous flooring, make sure to remove it completely as it can affect the new flooring.

After cleaning, use a primer to coat the subfloor, especially if you plan to use a full-spread adhesive. This will prevent the subfloor from absorbing too much adhesive. Check the moisture level of the subfloor and ensure it is within the acceptable range, usually below 75% RH or 8 lbs per 1000 sq ft over 24 hours.

Once the subfloor is clean and level, fill in any gaps, seams, or gouges with a levelling compound to create a smooth surface. Use a trowel to spread the compound and ensure the floor is perfectly flat and free of any imperfections. This step is crucial as any unevenness in the subfloor can transfer to the soft vinyl flooring.

Finally, acclimate the room by maintaining a temperature between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 48 hours before installation. This will help the flooring adjust to the temperature and humidity of the pool house, making it easier to unroll and flatten during installation.

Cut the starter row

The first step in installing loose lay flooring is to cut the starter row. This is the first row of flooring that will be installed, and it's important to get it right to ensure a straight and even floor. Here's a step-by-step guide to cutting the starter row:

• Determine the direction you want the floor to run. This is typically the length of the room, but it's a matter of personal preference.
• Calculate the width of your starter row to avoid narrow plank widths near walls and doors. Modify the layout so that no piece against a wall is smaller than half the width of a plank.
• Use a laser level to chalk a line on the floor in the middle of the room to guide your installation.
• Cut the planks along the length for the first row. Use a straight edge, such as a long aluminium rectangular tube, to guide your cut.
• Score the plank on your mark, then bend it along the score to snap it. You may need to use a utility knife to finish the cut through the backing.
• Slide the first floorboard into place, leaving a small gap of at least 3/16" against all walls to allow for expansion and contraction. Spacers can help with this step.
• Dry lay all the pieces in the first row.
• Cut the first plank in each row to create a stagger of 6"-10" between the ends of each board.
• Create a custom cutting jig by screwing down a piece of metal bar onto a plywood backing. The metal bar should be set to the width of the vinyl board.
• Measure and mark where you want to cut the length, then place the plank on the jig and line up the square on your mark.
• Score the plank several times, then snap it along the score. You may need to use a utility knife to cut through the backing.
• Apply tabs to the ends of the first row to lock it end-to-end. Then, add three tabs along the length of each plank, spaced 12" apart.
• Peel off the liner and place the second row of planks, leaving the ends for last.
• Put boxes of flooring on top of the starter row to hold it in place until you reach your chalk line.

By following these steps, you will have a straight and secure starter row for your loose lay flooring installation.

Installation preparation

Before you begin installing loose-lay flooring, there are several important steps to take to ensure a successful installation. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare for your loose-lay flooring installation:

Firstly, determine the amount of flooring required by calculating the area of the room. Multiply the length and width of the pool house to find the square footage. Then, divide this number by the square footage provided on the box of your chosen flooring product. This will give you an estimate of how many boxes you will need. It is generally recommended to order 5-10% more material to account for any waste or unexpected needs during the installation process.

Acclimate the flooring boxes in the pool house environment for at least 48 hours before starting the installation. Maintain a temperature between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-29 degrees Celsius) to ensure the flooring is easier to unroll and flatten when you begin.

Next, prepare your subfloor by ensuring it is clean, flat, dry, and free of any debris, grit, or protrusions. Use a level to measure the deflection or curvature of the subfloor, ensuring it is level within 3/16" in a 10-foot span. Fill any holes or downward slopes with a Portland-based self-leveller, and use a concrete grinder to level out any upward slopes. If you are installing over a concrete subfloor, ensure it is flat and smooth. Sand down or fill in any rough or hollow areas to create an even surface.

Additionally, test the moisture level of the subfloor to ensure it is suitable for installation. The moisture level should not exceed 75-85% RH, and the pH should be between 5 and 9 to avoid alkali damage.

Now, you can begin setting up guidelines for both the adhesive and the flooring. Select an adhesive pattern that suits the size of the project and the expected foot traffic. Common patterns include the diamond-shaped method or using Gecko Tape. Determine the placement of the guideline for the starting row, taking into account the width of the edge rows, which should not be shorter than 3" on both sides. Once the guidelines are set, use a chalk line reel to mark the starting row.

Finally, gather all the necessary materials and tools, including a utility knife, double-sided adhesive tape, and the flooring product itself. If you are using a tab system for your loose-lay flooring, ensure you have the correct number of tabs prepared.

Gather materials

To install loose-lay flooring in your pool house, you'll need to gather the right materials and tools to ensure a successful installation. Here's a detailed list of what you'll need:

Materials and Tools:

• Loose-lay vinyl flooring: Ensure you have enough to cover the area of your pool house, with some extra for waste and unexpected needs.
• Double-sided adhesive tape: This will be used to secure the flooring at doorways and high-traffic areas.
• Self-levelling floor compound: If your pool house floor is not level, you'll need this compound to create a smooth surface.
• Primer: A primer like Taylor Universal Primer is recommended if you plan to use a full-spread adhesive.
• Moisture and pH testing kits: These are crucial to ensure your concrete substrate meets the ASTM standard F710 requirements for installation.
• Adhesive: If you opt for an adhesive installation, choose an adhesive pattern like the diamond-shaped method and purchase the necessary adhesive for your chosen pattern.
• Underlayment: Cut and fasten the underlayment if you're gluing down the sheet vinyl flooring.
• Oscillating multi-tool: This will be useful for cutting and trimming the flooring.
• Cordless drill and driver bits: You'll need these for various installation tasks.
• Pre-mixed floor patch and level compound: Use this to fill any low spots and create a smooth subfloor.
• Utility knife: A utility knife will be essential for cutting the flooring and making precise adjustments.
• Laser level: Use this to establish a centre line and ensure your installation is straight and level.
• Chalk line or pencil: Mark guidelines for your installation with a chalk line or pencil.
• Swiffer sweeper and refills: Keep the installation area clean and free of dust with a Swiffer.
• Plywood and metal edge: If building a jig for cutting the flooring, you'll need plywood and a metal edge.
• Rectangular metal tube: This will help with making straight cuts on the vinyl planks.
• Contour gauge: This gadget with pins can help you create precise templates for cutting around objects like pipes.
• Baseboards: Have new baseboards ready to install once the flooring is laid.

Before gathering your materials, be sure to measure the area of your pool house and calculate the square footage of the floor you'll be covering. This will help you determine the amount of flooring and other materials you need. It's always a good idea to purchase a little extra to account for any waste or unexpected needs during the installation process.

Install baseboards

Now that your loose lay vinyl flooring is down, it's time to install the baseboards. If you removed your baseboards before installing the flooring, you can now reattach them. If you left your baseboards in place, you may want to install quarter-round pieces to cover the 1/4-inch gap between the baseboards and the flooring.

If you are reattaching your baseboards, use a nail gun to nail them into place. Be sure to cut the baseboards to the correct length, using a utility knife to score the cut and then bending the board to snap it. If the cut doesn't go all the way through, use your utility knife to finish cutting through the back of the baseboard.

If you are installing quarter-round pieces, secure them to the bottom of the baseboards. You can also use shoe molding, but some people don't like the look of this. If you don't want to use quarter-round or shoe molding, you can try using acrylic latex caulk or caulk with a backer rod to fill the gap between the baseboards and the flooring. However, this may not look as neat as using quarter-round or shoe molding.

If you removed your baseboards before installing the flooring, you may need to touch up the paint on your walls. The baseboards may also be slightly lower than they were before, depending on the thickness of your new flooring. In this case, you may want to install taller baseboards or repaint the walls.

Frequently asked questions