Dear Pat: I like the way vinyl sheet flooring looks in a kitchen. But in my friend's home, it cracked and got dull in less than a year. If I have it installed in my kitchen, how can I avoid these problems? — Jean B.

Dear Jean: Vinyl sheet flooring is attractive and generally very durable. One of its most common uses is in commercial buildings that receive a lot of foot traffic, and where it often lasts for many years. When you install vinyl sheet flooring in your kitchen, you might consider using a more expensive commercial-grade of sheet vinyl flooring.

Even with standard residential-grade vinyl flooring, your friend's floor should not have deteriorated that quickly. Unless the materials had flaws, it was likely the result of poor workmanship. Installing vinyl sheet flooring is generally not a do-it-yourself project and the installer should have had specific training before doing the job.

A stable base for vinyl flooring is absolutely critical for an attractive, long-lasting floor. The installer must be particularly careful when installing it over existing flooring. Specific installation instructions vary among the various manufacturers and it is important to closely follow those instructions.

When you have vinyl flooring installed, it is best to place it directly over the floor underlayment and not on top of old flooring. Sheet vinyl is durable when well supported from beneath, but it has very little bending strength of its own.

Sanded birch plywood or sanded poplar plywood are the best underlayment materials to use. Sanding eliminates high spots and removes inks and stains from the surface, which can leach through the vinyl flooring over time and create permanently discolored areas.

Low-cost plywood underlayment can have voids that result in spongy areas. These will feel strange to walk on and will be areas where the vinyl might crack from excessive flexing. If you are going to use the existing underlayment to lower the cost, carefully remove all the old adhesive. It could chemically react with the adhesive recommended for the new flooring.

When vinyl flooring is installed, there will be seams. An experienced installer will know how to create invisible, strong seams, but they will not be as strong as continuous vinyl. Often, the cracks you see will be seams opening up over a poorly supported spot.

Before you select a vinyl flooring installer, first do some research on the materials available and typical installation procedures. Armstrong Solution Center, 800-233-3823, has several excellent free publications on vinyl sheet flooring. Also, ask the prospective installers for some references to check on previous installations.

Proper care and maintenance are important to keep your vinyl floor looking good for years. Fine grit can damage the surface and dull the glossy finish. Vacuum-clean it regularly and wet mop it at least twice a week.

Vinyl flooring can be stained, so spills, particularly acidic, dark fruit juices, should be cleaned up with soap and water. Don't just wipe them up with a paper towel.

You must keep in mind that some everyday substances can discolor vinyl flooring. Just a dab of rode tar on your shoes can cause dark discolorations if left too long on vinyl flooring. Oil from the garage floor can do the same. It would be wise to remove your shoes before entering from a garage. Placing a small rug at the entrance to the garage is also a good idea.

Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about Pat Logan and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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