QA

Question: How To Replace Subfloor

Can I replace a 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.

Is it hard to replace subflooring?

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.

How much does it cost to replace a subfloor yourself?

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.

What do you need to replace a subfloor?

Use 5/8″ CDX plywood to replace the original subflooring. This exterior-grade plywood is a good choice for damp or occasionally wet areas because it can withstand a moderate amount of moisture without deteriorating. Measure and cut plywood as needed to cover the damaged area.

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 homeowners insurance cover subfloor?

Insurance Coverage for Subfloor Water Damage In some cases, you may find that the water damage is so extensive that drying the subfloor after flooding is difficult. In such cases where the entire subfloor needs replacing, homeowners’ insurance will often cover subfloors’ replacement due to water damage.

What does bad subfloor look like?

Sinking sections are tell-tale signs of subfloor failure. If a floor begins to sink between floor joists, it’s a sure sign that there is an issue. This is commonly caused by moisture issues deteriorating the wood, but it can also be caused by improper installation.

How do I know if my subfloor is rotten?

9 Common Signs of Subfloor Damage Your floors are uneven or sunken in parts. Your floorboards squeak – loudly. The room smells musty. Your floors shift or bounce when you walk on them. Your toilet is rocking or loose. Your tile flooring has cracked. Your hardwood floor is cupping. Your linoleum floor is bubbling up.

How long does it take to install a subfloor?

On average it takes 1-3 days to install hardwood floor. Typically, a 2-person crew of installers can lay 750 to 1,000 square feet of flooring per day with the average size of a job being 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.

What’s the best subfloor material?

Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Do you install walls or floor first?

Install flooring before you work on your walls because it’s easy to damage paint and other wall materials. Carpet rolls are long and bulky so you risk scraping and scratching your freshly painted, textured or wallpapered walls as you lay the carpet.

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.

Is pine OK for subfloor?

Yes, you can use pine subfloors as primary flooring. In many older houses, the pine subfloor was the only floor and it held up well. Uncovered pine subflooring appeals to recycling enthusiasts as well as fans of distressed wood.

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 you just paint subflooring?

Yes, subfloor can be painted successfully and last for years. One of the ways The process was not as hard as you would think, in fact – it was pretty darn easy. I thought about painting it decoratively using a stencil, but I want the room to be simple and serene just like a yoga studio.

Can you use wood filler on subfloor?

You can simply use a putty type of wood filler. Or anything to prevent the laminate from dipping. I’ve seen guys use construction adhesive like PL to repair small defects in the subfloor.

How do I know if my floor joists are bad?

Telltale Signs of Damaged Floor Joists Moist, rotting wood. Skewed or unlevel door and window frames. Sagging, sloping, or uneven upstairs floors. Tilting or sinking crawl space supports. Cracks in the interior drywall.

Are rotten floor joists covered by insurance?

Beware – Some insurance policy’s exclude rot. Some insurance companies exclude dry or wet rot floor joists however it has arisen. Others will cover the cost of joist repairs if the rot was as a result of an event that your policy covers you for i.e. a leak or burst pipe.