Vinyl Composition Tile in a Garage

Q: I want to lay down vinyl composition tile in my garage. I don’t know what to do. I have a seam (expansion joint) running down the middle of my garage it is quite wide (1/2″) strip of wood. Along this joint there is some high and low spots, what I mean here is the edge of the concrete is higher than the opposing side of the joint. I have included pictures. Is there a way to bridge this gap and make a seamless floor or will I have to end my tile at the expansion joint?
Thanks in advance for you valuable input.
Jeremy P
A: VCT is a great choice for garages and with a bit of prep work to your subfloor you should be set to install it.
Let’s first talk about the expansion gap. This is pretty simple, you can fill the top area of the expansion gap, similar to filling a crack in concrete. The dip in the subfloor will be a bit more work, but similar concept. You will need to level out the subfloor so that the entire concrete floor is flat. This means getting some self-leveling compound and putting in a bit of time. I would suggest using a latex additive to help ensure the level has a bit more elasticity and feathers up nicely. This will help prevent cracking as the floor naturally expands and contracts over time.
Once you have leveled the entire floor, make sure that you moisture check the floor and seal the concrete if necessary before going through with the VCT installation. A quick note on your installation, make sure that you use the adhesive approved by your VCT’s manufacturer and be patient. Extra time spent during prep and installation will save you many headaches down the road.