Hey everyone, first post here. I've had my house for about 2 years now and am finally getting around to tearing up the cheap carpets they put in when flipping the house and putting in new laminate flooring. The house was built in 1950 and underneath the carpets throughout the entire downstairs is very old, brittle vinyl flooring. It's pretty easy to get up the top layer, though the adhesive layer underneath isn't budging. The subfloor is 1/2 plywood on top of a plank floor. My question is this: If I'm installing laminate with the proper underlayment padding, can I just remove the top layer of the vinyl and leave the adhesive layer? The subfloor is solid but the vinyl is dinged up pretty bad in spots and I think taking off the top layer will help to even everything out.

Long story short, I bought a house that needs quite a few fixes; whole house plumbing, carpet, int/ext paint, blinders, few windows, etc... to list few so need to be economical. New carpet will be installed in the bedrooms except master bathroom/toilet/closet area that had carpet and thinking of putting peel and stick vinyl tiles. Something like this: [url]http://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstrong...7#.Un0lhxDj1FU[/url] It's pretty cheap @ .69/sq. ft so the whole area can be done under $100 plus other things like underlay, primer/sealer, nails etc. I read many threads and some mention to use 1/4" plywood underlayment while manufacturer doesn't require it. The bathroom is upstairs and Colorado is very dry so moisture should not be issue. I am confused. Should I use 1/4" plywood and prime it with sealer or just prime the subfloor and lay the vinyl tiles? HD sells this moisture resistant board (not waterproof): [url=http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Moisture-Resistant-Plywood-Underlayment-431178/203183010#.Un1aZhDj1FX]1/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Moisture-Resistant Plywood Underlayment-431178 at The Home Depot[/url] Is there any waterproof alternative besides sealing plywood? What type of sealer/primer should be used? Does that board need to be glued down or nailed/screwed down to the subfloor? How far apart should the nails be? Should the plywood go wall to wall or need gap near the wall? Also, can a hand saw do the job or need a table saw? The kitchen also needs new floor as the old pergo is peeling off in few places. Not sure if I can put vinyl tiles on top of pergo. :confused: Thanks for suggestions.