Porcelain tile on concrete slab with hairline cracks, is. Latex primer, similar to paint, seals plywood and helps peelandstick tiles adhere better. This is typically made of plywood, though concrete is also an option, as well as composite materials. Tiling directly onto wood is not recommended, because it can swell and shrink during humidity, which can cause the tiles to crack or come loose. When you install your vinyl on a wood subfloor, the top plywood should be a minimum of 14. How to install tile backer board on a wood subfloor. Whatever your subfloor is made of, be sure its squeak free before you install the. Its better to have a little wiggle room than to scratch up the walls. Sleeperconstructed subfloor consists of wood subfloor installed over or on an existing concrete subfloor on or belowgrade without 18 of well ventilated air space. Second, the strength of wood boards isnt always consistent.
Removing both of these things left behind obvious water damage and rot next to the bathtub and a hole in the floor where the plumber had capped off the bidet line. Dec 14, 2018 latex primer, similar to paint, seals plywood and helps peelandstick tiles adhere better. I am planning on replacing our tired old floor in the kitchen. Is patching compound the appropriate product to use to flatten a plywood subfloor. Also, do you think its ok that i am laying the tile directly to the subfloor 34 plywood. However, the conventional wisdom seems to be that you should install a layer of plywood, at least 12 but. Laying out the installation ensures your tile is set in a straight line and is square. Contractor is trying to talk me into replacing the existing diagonal plank subfloor from when the house was built in 1950. If you follow all these steps, youll have a stiff, monolithic, crack free floor. In fact, you can leave gaps the thickness of the base board. A subfloor is the bottommost structural level of your floor. Its important to level a plywood or wood subfloor before you install any kind of floor covering over it, or bumps and unevenness can create problems. Large tile require a deeper thinset bed to make up for the minor adjustments in flatness of floor and tile.
We had 34 thick white oak hardwood installed directly on the subfloor with no. You can bond tile directly to a plywood subfloor and expect it to last. Jan 28, 2015 i was allowed to cut open the floor and sure enough, the flooring was adhered to the patch, but the patch was letting go from the subfloor. I cut out a larger area and sure enough, the installer poured a layer of patch over a 316 thick layer of carpet residue. Dealing with adhesive residue the flooring professionals. Do i worry about the compound leaking down under the subfloor at the seams. Prepare your floor properly for a longlasting tile installation. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. The subfloor in the new addition is plywood so that isnt an issue.
In order to level the subfloor to install tile, the builder suggests, 1 to put a paper on plywood and pour self leveler, and skip hardibacker. Then use a damp rag to wipe any excess grout from the face of the tile. Clean out as much mortar from the grout joints as you can. Oct 02, 2009 whenever possible, plan your cuts so the factory edges of the underlayment come together, and place the sawcut edges on the perimeters against the walls. Installing vinyl tile over existing vinyl floor hunker. How to install ceramic floor tile on concrete diy tips. Do not line up the second layer with joints in the first layer. But a number of precautions must be taken to ensure a successful installation. Preparing your subfloor for tile in this video, learn how to prepare a wood or concrete subfloor for tile, including such steps as checking for dips, installing backerboard, applying primer and thinset, pouring liquid underlayment and when to use osb or exteriorgrade plywood. Is it necessary to replace the subfloor or is it a money grab. How should i prepare a plywood subfloor for vinyl sheet. Install tile on wood subfloor custom building products. Before priming, spread floorleveling compound over seams and screw hole depressions, scraping off the. With the proper tools, laying a tile floor is a manageable doityourself project if you want to save costs.
For a beautiful and longlasting tile installation, you need to ensure that every. Lvt will follow the profile of the existing subfloor, so make sure you fill in seams, low spots and large gaps with floor patch. Mastic adheres the tile directly to a wooden subfloor, to a wooden backsplash or onto a piece of plywood. It may not be the easiest to install, but its not that hard either. The most suitable materials for the subfloor are concrete, plywood and cement board. Video tutorial of how to remove old linoleum and replace it with ceramic tile in a bathroom remodel job. I was hoping to avoid using the expensive ditra material or gypsum board and rather just use a redgard crack prevention and waterproofing membrane. This method uses one layer of thinset to bury the heating. I too, just removed original tile from a mid 70s house that was directly on plywood subfloor. Here is a brief overview of what you need to do to ensure your subfloor is clean, solid and level. I am just not a fan of osb in general for a few reasons that is why i would use a sympathetic material like 18 plywood door skin, then fasten through it into the subfloor. Prepping a plywood subfloor is crucial for hardwood or laminate floors that last. Prepping a plywood subfloor for hardwood or laminate flooring. Porcelain tile on concrete slab with hairline cracks, is this.
The ledger shown here is a length of steel angle held in. Tile can be installed over various types of subfloor. This means you can have a 34 inch wood subfloor covered by 12 inch plywood, cement board, or approved gypsum fiber underlayment. Rather than installing tile directly to the wood, take the time to properly. Im laying porcelain tile the new wood plank looking tile in a family room that has a concrete slab subfloor. Whenever possible, plan your cuts so the factory edges of the underlayment come together, and place the sawcut edges on the perimeters against the walls. May 05, 2015 with wood floor, you generally have to remove more than what you need to patch before you start laying new pieces.
Laying tile to veneer plywood risks loosening and unbonding the veneer, creating an unstable base for the tile. Subfloor prep installation faqs armstrong flooring. To do this, measure and cut the plywood to fit your room. Cement backer board can provide a solid, flat surface to install tiles on if you have a wood subfloor. Also, stomp around on the subfloor to identify any loose edges and squeaks. Fixall is the former brand name of one such product now known as fixitall. Tile installed over wood floor systems must have a minimum of 114 inches of solid material beneath it.
Concrete board typically comes in 35 foot sheets, and it can be attached to the wood subfloor to provide extra strength. Learn how to prepare a wood or concrete subfloor for tile. Im just focusing on patching the subfloor in this post to keep it simple. With wood floor, you generally have to remove more than what you need to patch before you start laying new pieces. Patching compound on plywood subfloor for laminate prep.
Because of issues of moisture, movement, and adhesion, ceramic tile will work well with certain types of subfloor underlayment systems and can go dramatically wrong with other subfloor materials. There are many types of floor tile, ranging from ceramics to clay to natural stone, and most can be successfully installed over various types of substrates, including existing tile, a mortar base, plywood subflooring or cement board. Floor tiles usually should be laid over a strong underlayment of cement board or treated plywood. If so, make sure the floor is solid and well sealed. Cut the board with a utility knife to the correct sizes, and then adhere the board to the wood by using tile. According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters, installing backer board directly over an old, solid wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons. As i explained, there should be no real need for that. A plywood subfloor must be structurally sound and able to support the installation.
The floor patch and leveler will remain flexible allowing the plywood subfloor to flex without cracking the filledin areas. Your tile should be going directly onto the redgard so patch, fill and level as necessary, redgard then tile. Preparing subfloor for tile the home depot youtube. How to prepare a subfloor for tile installation the home depot. Its what you dont see that is the most important part of a beautiful, longlasting hardwood or laminate floor. Whatever it is called, cementbased backer board is what.
A wellprepared subfloor is key to lasting hardwoods and laminates. Should i replace my subfloor before installing tile. Give yourself 18 to 14 inch of room along the walls. While tile can be laid on plywood, do not install tile directly onto the plywood subfloor itself. Space the field and edge fasteners correctly the top layer of plywood should be screwed down every 8 inches on the edge and every 6 inches in the field, or interior, section. How to install tile on level concrete subfloors custom. It will break or dislodge if the surface bends under the load. Mix the grout as specified on the package, and begin liberally spreading it over the tile using the grout float. Lvt can be glued down directly to plywood subfloors as long as the wood is smooth, flat and structurally sound, but not over wafer board. The tile must be placed on a rigid, level, structurally sound surface that is clean, dry and free of contaminants that could prevent a good bond. However, the floor must be properly reinforced to minimize flexing. It is a good idea to put half inch plywood underlay to strengthen the floor before using modified thin set to put the tile directly on wood. However, with the right preparations, you can install brick flooring on top of a wooden subfloor.
Glue, called mastic, is the least expensive method for installing tiles. How to lay tiles on wooden floors home guides sf gate. Patching and repairing subfloor at charlottes house. And the result is hardwearing and attractive flooring. Preparing a subfloor for tile installation proper surface preparation is the key to great results when laying floor tile. Tiling over an old, solid wood subfloor is dicey, even with a layer of backer. Apr 18, 2017 lets back it up to the last update i gave you on the bathroom the vinyl adhesive tiles and the 14. How to prepare a subfloor for vinyl flooring home guides. Install plywood underlayment for vinyl flooring extreme. Still, you may need to tile directly over an existing hardwood floor, for instance to avoid raising the floor level significantly relative to an adjacent floor. To install the tile, you must first install concrete board.
Perhaps using multiple layers of plywood until the low spot. Our experts will show you how to check for dips, install backing board, apply primer. Installing tile over a wood subfloor is a lot easier today than it was when i. Secure the heating element to the subfloor and wire it appropriately. How to prepare a subfloor for tile installation the home.
The best material for filling gaps and depressions is patching compound. May, 2020 prepping a plywood subfloor is crucial for hardwood or laminate floors that last. Cement patch compound has no business in a wood subfloor. If the subfloor is 58 or 34 you can probably apply tile directly to it with no problem. The first step is to put some dead wood underneath the hole so you have a way to secure the patch.
The oldfashioned mud method of floating a thick mortar bed in preparation for the tile has given way to using cement backer board over a plywood subfloor. If you find any, screw the areas securely to the floor joists. Tile typically calls for at least 114 of subfloor in good condition. If you lay new tile over old tile, the original tile and grout must be securely attached. The substrate or subfloor is the ground, whether its made of plywood or cement.
To get a straight, level start, position a ledger on the wall, leaving a gap belowabout 12 in. Ideal for filling and leveling surfaces prior to installation of carpeting, vinyl floor tile or sheeting, as well as ceramic or mosaic floor tile. Then use a leveling compound to erase any knots or gaps in the wood. It supports your decorative floor finish, whether its carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminated wood or tile. Tile cannot be installed directly to a wood subfloor. Install plywood underlayment for vinyl flooring extreme how to. Attach and arrange cementbased backerboard to wood subfloor.
Sometimes we find ourselves more concerned with the final result, and so may spend less time ensuring the subfloor preparation is perfect. Laying tile over a plywood subfloor can be tricky, but if you prepare the sub floor properly, your tile floor will last for a lifetime. A relatively rigid product like patch leveler tends to not get along with all that movement in your subfloor. How to install tile over a wood subfloor todays homeowner.
Brick flooring is often installed directly over a concrete slab, either outside or inside. Vinyl is typically laid over a solid subfloor, which is ideally sturdy enough to keep from sagging under weight, should lay straight all the way across when measured with a leveler and shouldnt creak or sag in spots when you walk across it. If there are holes, plug them with a dowel or other similar means, sand smooth and if needed use leveling compound to smooth them out. How to install ceramic tile over a hardwood floor ehow. The majority of the subfloor is in good shape and sturdy.
Before you begin installing your new floor tiles, youll need to make sure your existing floor is in good condition. For this reason, ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be considered somewhat delicate, despite the inherent strength of the material. In this video, learn how to prepare a wood or concrete subfloor for tile, including such steps as checking for dips, installing backerboard, applying primer and thinset, pouring liquid underlayment and when to use osb or exteriorgrade plywood. The tile flooring is installed on top of the subfloor. Grout in these transitional areas will crack as the floor expands and contracts.
The purpose of a subfloor is to provide extra support for your floor. The notch trowel size depends on the tile type and size. Although brick flooring installation on a wood subfloor will be slightly different than on a concrete floor, the outcome will be pleasing and long lasting. A subfloor is a layer of flooring that is built directly on the floor beams or joists. Because plywood expands and contracts beneath the ceramic tile, grout and tile. Flattening osb subfloor for lvp the floor pro community. It is generically called cementboard or backer board, or it can also be referred to by one of the common brand names, such as densshield, hardiebacker, and wonderboard. Lvt can be glued down directly to plywood subfloors as long as the wood is smooth, flat and structurally sound, but not over wafer board, particleboard or oriented strand board osb. To avoid buckling, subfloor panels should be spaced with a 18inch gap. Check for complete coverage of thinset mortar by pulling up one tile it should cover at least 80% of the back of the tile. Cement board or backer board are the most standard underlayments.
A single layer of tile allows any moisture in the concrete to escape through tile joints. Often the best approach is to center the main field of full tiles in your project area, and adjust the field to leave partial, cut tilesthat are about the same sizearound the edges. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them. Patching compound on plywood subfloor for laminate prep the. I think i have the hang of laying down vinyl selfstick floor tiles, but my question concerns the subfloor preparation. How to install brick flooring on wood subfloor ehow. Tips for laying tile on plywood subfloor the spruce.
Do i use the patch in the gaps between the plywood sheets. Now largely regarded as the very best underlayment for ceramic tile in any applicationfloors, walls, and countertopscementbased backer board goes by many names. The house was built in 1952 and the subfloor is old cabin wood flooring. Dec 19, 2018 wood subfloor measure and cut 14inch or thicker plywood with a circular saw to fit the entire floor of the room where you are installing vinyl flooring. Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market. For most subfloors, you will need to add an extra layer of wood. If not, the tile will simply amplify the imperfections. Carpet repair floor repair hardwood floors vinyl flooring wood floor installation. Installing tile over a wood subfloor is a lot easier today than it was when i started my remodeling career. Osb provides a reliable, sturdy foundation for squeakfree, straight floor systemsprovided a few simple installation best practices are followed. If you have flatness issues, do what i suggested and fix the framing.
Preparing a subfloor for tile installation flooring. Laying out the installation ensures your tile is set in a straight line and is square and level with adjacent surfaces. Underlayment is something you put on top of your substrate to prepare it for tiling. Subfloor a subfloor is selected for structural purposes and is the substrate supporting layer for the underlayment. Its welldocumented that the longevity of a flooring installation particularly when it comes to luxury vinyl flooring like karndean is dependent on the quality of the subfloor. How to lay tile a detailed guide to floor installation. A number of different types of substrate are used for tile, including plywood. Removing both of these things left behind obvious water damage and rot next to the bathtub and a hole in the floor where the plumber had capped off the bidet lin. While most floor tile these days is installed onto a layer of cement board or similar backerboard, it is possible to lay tile directly over plywood. How to install cement board on a floor the family handyman. First, changes in humidity make solid wood shrink, swell and cup more than plywood. Check for dips in the floor by sliding a 4 to 6foot straight edge in different. Ideally, i would tear out the existing finish flooring, screw down the existing plank subfloor where loose, repair the plank subfloor where needed and then lay my new flooring engineered hardwood right over the existing plank subfloor.
With the plywood in place, install the backer board as you normally would. Currently loaded videos are 1 through 15 of 33 total videos. The basic items you will need to install tile are listed below. This movement can cause any tiles installed on the surface of the wood to crack or break. When you place new tile over existing tile, you cover the tile joints and cut off the escape route for the moisture. This traps the moisture beneath the tile and can cause loosening of the old tile as well as the new tile. Lets back it up to the last update i gave you on the bathroom the vinyl adhesive tiles and the 14. Sleeperconstructed subfloor consists of wood subfloor installed over or on an existing concrete subfloor on or belowgrade without 18 of well.
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