QA

Question: How To Replace Bathroom Subfloor

How much does it cost to replace bathroom subfloor?

Replacing subfloors will cost between $1.45 and $7 per square foot for materials. Labor costs will be around $27.50 per hour.Average Cost of Replacing Subfloor. Item Price Range* Extra materials $20 – $50 Total Cost about $580 – $2,500.

How do you replace a rotten bathroom subfloor?

Do I need to replace subfloor in bathroom?

“Adequately protected from moisture, most subfloor materials can be expected to last for the lifespan of the home.” However, if the subfloor is consistently exposed to moisture, you may need to replace it after 20 to 30 years or sooner.

Can I replace my subfloor myself?

If your subfloor is in need of replacement, the damaged portion will need to be completely cut out. This also requires the removal of all floor covering over the problem area as well as the accompanying underlayment materials. The process for this portion of the job will vary based on the type of flooring you have.

What do you use for a 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.

What is the best subfloor for a bathroom?

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.

How do you know if your bathroom floor is rotting?

Signs You Have Water Damage Musty smell. Recurring mold and mildew. Warped walls. Spongy, soft floor. Gaps in caulk, tile or tub.

How hard is it to replace subfloor?

The subfloor usually runs in a continuous sheet under all the walls. It can’t be removed easily. The underlayment, however, was put in after the walls were up, so it fits each room and is tailored to the type of floor covering being used. The underlayment, therefore, is easy to pull up and remove.

Can you put new plywood over old subfloor?

To add an extra layer of plywood over a subfloor, you will need to clean the floor to ensure there is no dirt and grime. After cleaning, you will install the plywood over the subfloor one sheet at a time. However, you need to make sure the plywood seams are over the subfloor so that it provides adequate stability.

What size plywood is best for subfloor?

The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch.

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.

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 walls?

Wall and Floor Basics Subfloor: The subfloor is nailed to the top of the joist. Often 19/32-inch to 1 1/8-inch thick plywood or OSB, the subfloor might run continuously across the joist, or two sections of subfloor may meet on a joist. Bottom Wall Plate: The bottom wall plate is the bottom-most part of the wall.

Can you use subfloor as your floor?

Concrete subflooring is acceptable as regular flooring, as long as it’s in a moisture-proof environment. Consider the long-term effects of leaving your subflooring exposed.

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.

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 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.

Why is the floor around my toilet wet?

Water pooling around the base of the toilet is a good indication that the wax seal has failed. Wait until a new puddle appears on the floor, then check to make sure the water is seeping out from under the toilet and not coming from a loose supply tube, faulty shutoff valve, cracked tank or sweaty bowl.

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.

Why is the floor around my toilet soft?

A spongy floor around the toilet is a strong indication that the subfloor has absorbed water. Peel back the flooring around the fixture and you will likely discover swollen, discolored wood — a sure sign that the subfloor needs replacing.

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.