Table of Contents
Can you replace part of a subfloor?
If the water damage has been occurring for a while and there are signs of flaking wood or mold, the only option may be to replace the affected section of subflooring. Make sure to get all of the damaged or moldy subfloor to prevent it from coming back.
How do you remove a subfloor section?
You need to make a cut line down the long edge between sheets of subflooring to disengage the pieces of subflooring from one another. I cut the tongue with a circular saw. I adjust the cut depth to one-eighth inch less than the thickness of the OSB subflooring.
Is it hard to replace a 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.
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 I put plywood over subfloor?
Plywood is made up of several layers of wood veneer glued together with adjacent layers that form a composite substance. Mobile home subfloor thickness may be of some concern, and installing plywood over this subfloor can give you a stronger base for your hardwood, laminate or carpeting.
What do you use to fill gaps in plywood subfloor?
Fill Plywood Subfloor Gaps An effective strategy for filling large gaps is to mix patching compound to a stiff, mortar-like consistency, trowel it into the plywood subfloor gaps and wait for it to stiffen before troweling it smooth. Some sanding may be needed when it sets completely.
How do you fix water damaged subfloor?
How to Fix a Water-Damaged Subfloor: Your 8-Step DIY Guide Start by Stopping the Water. Expose the Subflooring. Make Your Mark. Carefully Cut Subflooring. Remove Damaged Materials. Speed Up the Drying Process. Reinforce Floor Joists. Install Your New Subflooring.
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.
Can you replace sections of laminate flooring?
When a board sustains damage in the middle of a laminate floor, you have two options for replacing it. One is to disassemble the floor down to the damaged board, replace the board and reassemble the floor. The other option is to cut out the damaged board and glue in a replacement.
Can you replace a section of hardwood floors?
There may still be a small noticeable difference but more than likely only if you know where to look. When damage to hardwood flooring happens due to water, often it requires replacing the actual planks. We are happy to replace sections of flooring but highly recommend refinishing the entire area for a consistent look.
How many layers of plywood do you need for a subfloor?
The first is to lay two layers of 3/8-inch plywood over the slab without fastening or gluing them to the slab. One layer is laid, and the second layer is stapled or glued perpendicularly or diagonally over the top.
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.
What is 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.
Can you put a new subfloor over old subfloor?
One of the benefits of removing the old flooring is it allows you the chance to fix any loose subflooring or squeaks by re-securing the main subfloor to the floor joists prior to installing the new flooring. With all that being said though the answer is YES you can install New Wood Flooring over the old.
Do I need two layers of subfloor?
That’s the usual approach. Almost no one puts down double-thick subfloor in residential applications (for cost and handling reasons), and both layers need to be fastened to joists. Only thin underlayment can be fastened just to the subfloor.
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.
Should I caulk gaps in subfloor?
This may be due to a sagging subfloor, which is common in older homes, or even expansion of the structure due to climate conditions. An easy way to remedy this is to fill the gap between the wall and subfloor with caulk. The caulking should be rated for moisture and mildew resistance.
What do you fill plywood cracks in?
Scoop up a small amount of wood putty with the putty knife. Press the putty into the cracks and fill each one along its entire length. A small amount on the knife allows you to fully work it into the cracks before it hardens.