Can you use floor levelling compound on a painted floor?

LlamaKarma

Hi, we have a small utility room that we want to lay vinyl in.

We need to get the floor levelled first but it has been previously painted with floor paint.
I've just had a carpet company round to quote and they said that the paint may cause the latex and the vinyl to come away.

We can't lay a ply floor underneath - that would mean the washing machine won't fit under the worktop which is fitted directly underneath the window.

Another carpet shop I just rang said no problem they would just need to use a different levelling compound.

Does anyone know if this painted floor will really cause an issue or not?

Leif

You could strip the paint. There are sodium hydroxide based strippers that I think would do the job, if left overnight. You paint it on, lay cling film on top (to keep it moist), and then peel off when 'cooked'. Peelaway is one, and there is a cheaper one too from a dedicated strippers company.

Or you might be able to coat with an acrylic primer, to provide a key for the levelling compound. However that is a guess, and with luck someone who knows will comment ...

Tall_Tone

As long as the paint is firmly fixed you could probably go over with this product. It works over most floor problems like old adhesive etc.
http://www.ardex.co.uk/arditex_na.asp
It's not the cheapest, but so far has not let me down.

TT

LlamaKarma

Thanks for everyone's responses. Unfortunately a second vinyl company has come back and said there is no product they can use over the paint.
So we will need to get it off somehow.
I am looking into the Peelaway that was suggested. We have also got a heat gun, but I'm concerned about the fumes.

Any other suggestions welcome..

Leif

LlamaKarma wrote: »

I am looking into the Peelaway that was suggested. We have also got a heat gun, but I'm concerned about the fumes.

Check these out, they're cheaper than Peelaway.

http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/

I'd get a trial sample first, and test before buying a larger amount.

LlamaKarma

I've found a local company that can help. They are scarifying the floor to get a key for the latex. Apparently not much paint came off .. but they say it will be OK. Tommorow the vinyl goes on, can't wait (is this sad?)