All Questions
171 questions
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votes
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21
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Subfloor Joint - LVP
I failed to realize that 1/4” SurePly is 0.205” while 1/4 sanded plywood is 0.234”. Wondering if the difference will cause issues long term. Most other posts mention 1/16 being about the tolerance for ...
- 209
0
votes
1
answer
20
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Vinyl Plank Subfloor Variance
Any experience with variance in subfloor thickness? I failed to realize that 1/4” SurePly is 0.205” whiles 1/4 sanded plywood is 0.234”. Wondering if the difference will cause issues long term. Most ...
- 209
1
vote
1
answer
31
views
Reattaching old hardwood floor to replaced joists
I had to replace four 15 ft. 2x12 joists in my basement from Termite damage. This is below a 12’x 12’ living room. Now I have some slight “bounce” to the floor in certain areas.
This house was built ...
- 23
0
votes
1
answer
26
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Subfloor Question
I'm looking at laying loose lay planks (likely going to glue them down) in my basement rental. We don't have moisture problems and the foundation is good. We also are at a higher elevation and no ...
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
Felt paper between flooring layers?
Should I install a layer of felt paper between my structural board subfloor (1*6 planks) and the 1/2" plywood underlayment that I'm going to install? Thanks!
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
114
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Raising garage floor to house level
I am trying to convert an 11ft x 12ft space in my garage to a room and I’d like the floor to be level with the house and insulated. I’m trying to figure out the most cost effective solution. The ...
- 3
0
votes
1
answer
51
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Removing Vinyl Tiles and Plywood Floor
I'm removing old vinyl tiles in what was the main dining/kitchen area:
I would like to put down laminate flooring in the dining area(something thin so the transition to the other rooms, which have ...
- 181
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Should I install our toilet on top of the subfloor or on top of the PVT?
We just bought a new home (first-time!) which had carpet in the bathroom. Our goal was to replace the carpet with COREtec LVT. Unfortunately, when we pulled up the carpet, we saw that the plywood ...
- 141
0
votes
1
answer
69
views
When replacing a floor, how do I ensure it doesn't creak?
I have hardwood from the 50s on most of the main level of my house. It hasn't been well taken care of (it's had carpet stapled into it at more than one point and is generally pretty badly worn and ...
- 831
0
votes
1
answer
110
views
Dip in floor when installing new hardwood
I'm installing new hardwood in my kitchen (see image). On the right side of the image, the subfloor has a dip of about 1/8th to 1/4 inch, causing a place where there is a cavity under the floor boards....
- 45
1
vote
0
answers
79
views
Tiles making popping sounds and becoming loose
I have woken up to endless popping sounds in my lounge area (upper floor of the house that was recently extended) and upon investigation, I realised that it’s my tiles making that noise. When I walk ...
- 11
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1
answer
174
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How can I lay Laminate floor around a cavity
the floor I’m laying on has floor cavity sockets, how can I lay laminate around this?
- 93
1
vote
2
answers
83
views
Floor Joist with Long Crack [duplicate]
I have a floor joist that has a crack down the center of the board (about 8 feet). I recently noticed it after hearing my floor start to creak above it. There doesn’t appear to be any floor sagging ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
933
views
How to install “subfloor” over top of existing hardwood
I recently removed a few layers of different flooring/underlay to expose original hardwood flooring. I’ve been told by two different hardwood refinishers/installers that the hardwood isn’t salvageable ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
327
views
Should I apply construction adhesive between layers of subfloor with a caulking gun or trowel?
My second floor has an existing subfloor constructed with 5/8" plywood. I am installing a second layer of 3/8" plywood to raise the level of the subfloor prior to installing bamboo flooring. ...
0
votes
1
answer
204
views
How do I determine why my town house floors are uneven all over? [closed]
My townhome, built 1988, has floors that are not level throughout the home. In the bedroom if a dresser is against the wall on two opposite walls they have an extreme forward tilt; but, on the other ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
25
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Condo Hardwood Install Advice
I am looking into installing new hardwood in my condo and have seen conflicting info on a few things that I could use clarification on.
The existing hardwood sits on some some 3/4" sleepers which ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
44
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Subfloor or underlayment?
So, I have been doing a lot of research and could not find a solid answer. There seems to be different opinions.
For my half-bathroom renovation, I am starting fresh. For flooring, for the first layer ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
55
views
Identifying and Removing a Subfloor in a 12-Year-Old UK House
I've recently purchased a 12-year-old house in England and am addressing a creaky spot on the first floor, which I suspect is related to a joist issue. Upon removing the carpet and underlay, I ...
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
170
views
How do I level the edge of concrete foundation?
I replaced some engineered hardwood flooring recently and we noticed that it was slanted because towards the edge of the house, the concrete subfloor (no underlayment) is slanted there. What can I do ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
323
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Can I use subfloor to align a house-length starter row of hardwood flooring to the house, rather than to a single room?
Carpet has been removed and subfloor exposed and cleaned. The floor has been leveled to <3/16" out of flat over 6', primed to cover some pee spots, and is ready for the underlayment. The new ...
- 243
2
votes
2
answers
241
views
How to install flooring over a sleeper subfloor?
1970s subfloor basement construction
I'm currently redoing my basement and after removing the carpet I come across particle board nailed on top of 1.5 x 2.5 wood batons that are screwed into the ...
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
169
views
PVC Sleepers - Finished Basement Subfloor
I came over here from reddit because I really want some feedback on this idea I stole from another redditor (they haven't responded to my inquiries, but I really like the idea).
I'm currently planning ...
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
Fix uneven and sloped plywood subfloor
We recently moved into an old townhouse and are renovating the entire second floor. The 10-year-old laminate flooring is squeaky and uneven, so we removed all of them and put down SPC vinyl flooring. ...
- 145
0
votes
0
answers
101
views
Can I replace 3/4 particle board underlayment with 1/2 OSB?
I ripped up carpet to replace with LVP in my 1976 bi-level home to find 3/4 particle board on top of the subfloor. I then found out that the particle board should be removed.
I spoke with a friend who ...
- 21
0
votes
1
answer
74
views
My subfloor has been built with untreated 1x2s and plywood. Am I in trouble? [closed]
Last year a contractor installed about 800 square feet of sub flooring to even out the very uneven concrete floor. At the time I didn’t think of it, but the fellow used standard 1x2s and plywood. I’m ...
- 45
0
votes
1
answer
75
views
Level subfloor before installing 2nd layer
I have 1/2 plywood subfloors in my house and I'm preparing to put a second layer of 5/8 OSB subfloor before installing hardwood flooring. In one of the rooms, there are two big areas, about 15' by 8' ...
- 113
1
vote
0
answers
149
views
Upstairs wall studs sitting on top of subflooring that needs to be removed
I am currently renovating the entire second floor of my 1920's home and have run into an issue. The subflooring is currently unleveled and had intentions of pulling up the subflooring, adding a sister ...
- 11
14
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Will adding another layer of plywood improve shed floor bouncing?
I have shed floor that appears to be a sheet of 3/4 inch pressure treated plywood nailed to the joists. While the floor is "sturdy" in that it's holding up fine and shows no sign of rot, it ...
- 147
0
votes
0
answers
221
views
Do I need to place anything under the rubber mats to protect the tile from discoloration?
I'm setting up a small home gym and wanted to place some rubber mats (rolled or interlocking) on the tile. Do I need to place anything under the mats to protect the tile and grout from discoloration? ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
504
views
Do you need a subfloor over insulated concrete?
I'm having a house built, and I was discussing the floor in the basement with the builder. I thought I was going to use LVP over a subfloor, but the builder says they no longer put subfloors over ...
- 111
-1
votes
1
answer
57
views
Do I need to remove this residue from my floor and if so, how?
We’re in the process of laying down vinyl planks and want to tackle the kitchen next. We recently removed glued down hardwood and are left with this. We’ve tried sanding the residue down and it hasn’t ...
-1
votes
1
answer
92
views
Shall I/How to Repair Falling Subfloor? [closed]
I happened to find the one piece subfloor under my dishwasher is falling. Shall I repair it? If yes, how to do that? The most professional way I suppose is to remove the cabinet and floor in the ...
- 171
-1
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is 1/2 inch OSB strong enough for subfloor
We just found out that the subfloors in our rental property are only 1/2 inch thick OSB. It has some moisture damage but we fixed what caused it and are replacing damaged ones.
We can't really afford ...
- 9
0
votes
1
answer
573
views
Can I lay Engineered Wood floor over curved subfloor?
Is it ok to lay engineered wood floor over subfloor with such a dip in the middle? The existing floor is pretty even from board to board, but it does dip uniformly in the middle of the room. Would it ...
- 71
2
votes
1
answer
791
views
Best Practices for Levelling / Replacing Plank Subfloor (c. 1950s)
Doing a complete remodel of our kitchen and I'm at the stage where I am going to take the subfloor out for plumbing work, etc. I also want to plan ahead for the eventual floor install. Photo 1 below ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
797
views
What is the proper way to add another subfloor layer?
I am currently replacing carpet with hardwood flooring. The subfloor is OSB laid on-top of joists. The hardwood manufacture has recommended that a layer of 1/2 plywood be added to the subfloor in ...
- 135
0
votes
1
answer
659
views
Temporary bathroom flooring before full remodel
We have mold underneath the old linoleum flooring in one of our bathrooms around the toilet. The linoleum is original to the house (37 years old). At some point in the next couple of years, we'll be ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
197
views
Optimal floor for wood workshop over subflooring/crawlspace
I'm thinking of buying an old church (2200 sq ft, built in the 60's) to convert into a woodworking shop. The building is over a crawlspace and currently has carpet which I'll definitely want to ...
- 113
-1
votes
1
answer
134
views
Need to replace first layer of subfloor for vinyl install?
We're replacing linoleum in our kitchen with vinyl. The rest of the house has hardwood floors so the kitchen has a second layer of subfloor to make it even with the wood in adjacent rooms. Somebody ...
- 1,416
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
1/4 plywood between existing floorboards and new hardwood?
I live in a 115 year old house that has existing 3/4 tongue and groove floorboards. While they seem sturdy, they are super ugly and have worn very unevenly, and unfortunately sanding won’t be a ...
- 79
0
votes
1
answer
119
views
Attic conversion subfloor questions
I am converting my walk up attic into liveable space and would like advice on the specifics of the subfloor. The floor joists are 2x12s spaced 16" OC and currently there is 1/2" plywood ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
376
views
Can I safely attach 7/16 OSB to particle board, and then put a floating floor on top?
I bought a condo (900 sq ft) that was carpeted (now all removed along with baseboard and all kitchen cabinets and appliances). Under the carpet is particle board. There are many uneven spots (...
- 1
1
vote
5
answers
3k
views
How to support hardwood floors with no existing subfloors to prevent squeaking in 100-year-old home
This is a follow up question to this old thread: Replacing hardwood floor in 100 year old house with no subfloor The house has hardwood floors installed directly on floor joists and the floors are ...
- 481
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Joist spacing for OSB subfloor and solid oak flooring?
I'm going to install 3/4" solid red oak hardwood upstairs, but the subfloor is old, creaky, and needs to be replaced. The floor joists are spaced 24" OC (on center), and change direction in ...
- 28.3k
2
votes
1
answer
507
views
How do I approach replacing subfloor in a small space (23 sq. ft.)?
I’ve undertaken redoing my laundry room in a house I bought as-is. Yesterday, the plumber came to remove the washer and dryer, which were sitting on a loose piece of plywood on top of the floor- ...
0
votes
1
answer
431
views
How the fix damaged subfloor over vent?
1946 house with all the wonders of years of questionable home renos, of which I am the latest in line. When I moved in I pulled the carpets for the lovely hardwood beneath but the carpet hid cracked ...
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2
votes
2
answers
667
views
Should I add a plywood underlayment between my chipboard subfloor and new wood floorboards I want to install?
Question
I’d like to remove carpet in a bedroom, and install a 14mm thick engineered oak floor instead. (The floor boards will have a multi-ply core, like these ones).
Between the chipboard subfloor ...
- 85
1
vote
1
answer
108
views
Floor Leveling/Finishing Options [closed]
I'm considering a few different options for leveling and refinishing an old floor and I'm looking for second opinions.
The floor is roughly 13'x28' on the top 3rd floor of a ~120 year old row house. ...
0
votes
2
answers
194
views
What is this type of subfloor (mesh and stone?) and what's the easiest way to remove it?
I removed some tiles today and found not just thinset and an underlayment but a few layers of mesh and what appear to be stones or concrete. What is this, why was this used and is there anything ...
- 379