QA

Quick Answer: How To Install Subfloor In Bathroom

What do you use for subfloor in a bathroom?

Plywood is the most common material used for subflooring in bathrooms. A versatile, man-made material, plywood is used in floors, walls and furniture.

How thick should a bathroom subfloor be?

The installation guide for 1/4 inch HardieBacker recommends having wood subfloors made of 5/8 inch exterior grade plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) that is 23/32 inches thick.

Does subfloor go under toilet flange?

5 Answers. The toilet flange needs to be on top of the finished floor. Meaning the bottom edge of the flange needs to be on the same plane as the toilet. So if your toilet sits on the tile, the flange needs to be on top of the tile too.

How do you waterproof a bathroom subfloor?

Caulk any seams where two pieces of plywood are butted together. Dab caulk onto nail or screw heads to seal the potential leak point they provide. Caulk any splits in the wood or any other areas that may provide a point for water to seep under the subfloor.

What is the best underlayment for a bathroom floor?

Backer Board. This is the industry standard most preferred by construction pros when installing ceramic or porcelain tile. Trowel-able and Pourable Underlayment. A number of trowel-able and pourable tile underlayment options are available, each with its own purpose and best use. Membranes.

Does subfloor go under bathtub?

Flooring repairs can be intimidating, but the subfloor under the tub generally consists of plywood secured over floor joists and is fairly simple to replace — once you get access to it. The entire tub unit requires removal before subfloor replacement can begin.

Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?

The National Tile Contractors Association and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute both recommend plywood for subflooring and underlayment, because it doesn’t have the risk of swollen edges that OSB does. Plywood also has a slight advantage in stiffness, which means that subflooring panels need not be quite as thick.

What thickness of subfloor should I use?

The recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor is governed by the spacing of the joists. Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood should be used for joists spaced further apart.

How many layers of plywood do you need for a subfloor?

The four layers that make up the wood floor system consist of; the Joists, Sub-floor, Underlayment, and Floor Covering.

Can I use plywood for bathroom walls?

Is it possible to use plywood in the bathroom here? The top layer of the plywood has a coating that naturally repels water and prevents it from penetrating below the surface and attacking the wood below. As such, you can use it in construction work both outdoors and indoors, in kitchens and bathrooms.

What type of plywood is used for bathroom subfloor?

Traditionally, exterior grade plywood has been the subfloor material of choice for many bathroom flooring projects. Plywood is made by gluing alternating layers of wood veneer. CDX plywood (¾”) in particular is used often because it has a high level of resistance to moisture and humidity.

Should you tile under a toilet?

The bathroom fitters are unanimous—if you’re looking for a high quality finish, with a better seal against water damage, then always tile the floor first. The floor will be sealed a lot better with the tiles being laid under the toilet. 2. It is also easier to do this rather than trying to cut tiles around the toilet.

Can you waterproof plywood subfloor?

Waterproofing. Most waterproofing for plywood and particleboard comes in a paint-on format. These are typical latex-based topical products that, like sealer, are designed to keep out water; but rather than penetrating into the actually layers of wood, topical waterproofing is painted onto the surface.

Does a bathroom floor need to be waterproofed?

Bathrooms are the main wet area in the house. Therefore, you need to waterproof the area so that water does not get into the substructure of the house and cause major structural damage. It involves setting up a waterproof barrier around the floor and walls of the bathroom, including the shower.

How do you waterproof a wooden bathroom floor?

When waterproofing wood floors, use a urethane waterproof sealer that is water or oil-based to protect the floor’s natural shine. If you’re using a urethane sealer, apply the first coat with a thick mop made of wool or another natural material. This is a great way to create a smooth, even application.

What is the difference between subfloor and underlayment?

The subfloor is the bottom most structure of the floor. It provides a flat and stable surface and supports the actual floor. Underlayment is different from the subfloor in that it rests between the subfloor and the actual floor.

What do you put between subfloor and underlayment?

Use building paper! Yep, put down an underlayment of 15-pound felt building paper between a wood subfloor and your hardwood planks, and you can reduce the chance of squeaky floors and control moisture.

What goes on top of subfloor?

Underlayment: Some types of flooring can be installed directly on top of the subfloor, such as vinyl flooring. Other types need a middle layer, called underlayment, such as laminate,carpet and tile.

Can my bathtub fall through the floor?

Water damage can rot away wood, wear down the structure holding your bathtub, and also cause mold problems. This is not the only thing that can happen that could cause your bathtub to start sinking into the floor. The pipes under the tub cannot be easily checked for leaks or wear and tear.

Should flooring be installed under bathtub?

Don’t Tile Under A Drop-In Or Alcove Tub They are meant to sit on the bathroom subfloor directly via support feet or mortar. In your installation process, you should put the backer board down and tile the floor and the backsplash around the tub first, but leave off the row of tiles that directly surround the tub.

Should you put cement board under bathtub?

There is no reason not to do it, but also no overpowering reason to do it, since the water is not going to leak through the tub or shower base.