30 votes

Replacing hardwood floor in 100 year old house with no subfloor

The squeaking comes from vibrations created when the floorboards and joists rub against each other when weight pushes down on them. There's a chance that replacing the floor with a new one "in-...
gnicko's user avatar
  • 5,532
28 votes
Accepted

Will adding another layer of plywood improve shed floor bouncing?

Normal plywood has the wood fibers in its outer plies oriented along the 8 ft length of the plywood. There exists specially marked plywood that defies this convention, but from your photo it's clear ...
popham's user avatar
  • 5,284
23 votes

Is 3/16" plywood subfloor sufficient for a shower floor?

Is this for a threshold free tiled shower floor? 3/16" - that's a joke. TCNA requires 1 1/4" subfloor for a tile installation. Assuming the contractor tiles on top of 3/16 and grouts it. ...
Fresh Codemonger's user avatar
19 votes

What's the purpose of this lumber resting on top plate of the wall?

That's standard practice to create backing for drywall (or plaster lath) where walls are parallel with ceiling framing members. It's reasonable that the carpenter would've used extra subfloor material ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k
17 votes
Accepted

What type of screw is this in my subfloor?

Looks like a self drilling wood to metal screw. Here's a picture from McMaster-Carr's website: They call them "Stainless Steel Drilling Screw, Wood to Metal," described as Screws with ...
popham's user avatar
  • 5,284
12 votes

Replacing hardwood floor in 100 year old house with no subfloor

I will repeat some answers that you already have but, it is all part of my answers that will have different nuances. To give my summary on the idea of floor replacement, and using the second picture ...
Jack's user avatar
  • 34.3k
11 votes

Replacing hardwood floor in 100 year old house with no subfloor

Considering the work and expense involved in replacement, I'd be looking hard at trying anything possible for squeak remediation. What comes to mind is injecting epoxy (or perhaps something else?) to ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 202k
9 votes
Accepted

What is the 2-inch layer of masonry under my bathroom tile?

This floor has been floated, a very common and traditional method for preparing surfaces for tile. To "float" is to apply a cement and sand mix similar to concrete but without rocks, gravel or coarse ...
Jimmy Fix-it's user avatar
  • 35.1k
9 votes

Can I install heat mat and backer board over cork flooring?

When I am redoing a bathroom and adding the needed backer board to a subfloor assembly, I would remove all existing finish floors no matter how many to get back down to the original subfloor. Then ...
Jack's user avatar
  • 34.3k
9 votes
Accepted

How do I know if my subfloor is fire retardant or preservative-treated?

The concern is probably that adhesives won't bond to treated plywood, or maybe that color will leach out and stain the new flooring. You're right that you're seeing paint overspray on your subfloor. ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k
8 votes

Do I need a nailing edge around the perimeter of my room for my new AdvanTech subfloor?

I did it both ways in a laundry/powder room I completed last year. Along the one wall, I installed the nailing plates your described. Along another wall, I didn't, in part because the sole plate for ...
SteveSh's user avatar
  • 6,780
8 votes
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Do I need a nailing edge around the perimeter of my room for my new AdvanTech subfloor?

If I don't install a nailing edge, is it likely I will have a noticeable bounce? No, because you can't stand that close to the wall. The only unsupported edge is right at the face of the wall If ...
Ack's user avatar
  • 5,709
8 votes
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What are the actual dimensions of a 4x8' subfloor plywood panel

Looking for "sanded" plywood and check the specification for the panel you are looking to purchase. This one is a 4x8x3/4 from Menards. https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-...
r13's user avatar
  • 3,362
8 votes

Is DIY water mitigation possible in my case?

The general rule on water damage is Make sure no additional water gets in Dry stuff out If damaged, do your best to replace it Most of the problems with water damage are long-term. Wood will rot, ...
Machavity's user avatar
  • 24.2k
7 votes
Accepted

Hole in subfloor under stove: Do I fix? If so do I put flooring over it?

I would replace the subfloor by floating some scrap lumber under two edges of the opening and screwing them in place. Then screw down the patch. I'd then run tile down both sides of the stove ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k
7 votes
Accepted

How to repair/replace old tongue and groove plank subfloor in bathroom?

The following options will perform equally, their differences are time, cost, and thickness of the subfloor. Best case scenario you'll still have a 3/4" subfloor, worst case you'll have 1 1/4" (sorted ...
Chris's user avatar
  • 509
7 votes

Contact surface between subfloor and joists

Just add (nail, screw, and/or glue) additional framing material to the side face of the joist to provide more bearing area for the subfloor.
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 202k
7 votes
Accepted

Mounting a ceiling flange to the underside of subfloor

No. Your 2-1/4" screws will each have about 1/2" of useful penetration into the OSB. That's just enough to delay catastrophe until your unease about the plan subsides. Then you may see the ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k
6 votes
Accepted

Using leveling compound on plywood subfloor (second story)

That looks like an almost non-issue (especially if the flooring will run the same direction as that level, if not you'll need to do something about it). If it's a low traffic area it might not concern ...
Mazura's user avatar
  • 13.4k
6 votes

How do I know if my subfloor is fire retardant or preservative-treated?

That looks like good old plywood decking. No obvious treatment there.
Ed Beal's user avatar
  • 102k
5 votes

What kind of screws are used for plywood subflooring?

It should be noted that the above linked screw is a sheetrock screw, not a subfloor or underlayment screw, which you will probably find in real life labeled something like "deck screw" if you're ...
Matt Lorence's user avatar
5 votes

Proper Orientation for Plywood Subfloor under 3/4" Hardwood

Your current plywood is suitable for hardwood installation. I do not ever like to use 1/4 subfloor as it is brittle and when screwed sometimes doesn't lay flat. If I added to your subfloor I would ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 47.8k
5 votes
Accepted

How many screws do I need in my subfloor?

According to Table R602.3(1) of International Residential Code (IRC), subfloor fastener schedule is as follows: 3/8"-1/2" panels. Use 6d common nails, spaced 6" apart on edges and 12" apart in the ...
Tester101's user avatar
  • 131k
5 votes
Accepted

What should I do about a huge gap under the drywall and baseboard when installing luxury vinyl tile?

Take the baseboard off and install your floor. Cut your vinyl tile even with the sheetrock, less 1/4 inch -- this will allow space for you to lift your tile and lock it in place; after you have ...
Billy Jack Coalburn's user avatar
5 votes

How to repair/replace old tongue and groove plank subfloor in bathroom?

I wouldn't chance going over it either. If it's easily breaking and giving when you walk on it, replace it with new T&G sub flooring. Otherwise, you are going to have a bunch of cracked tiles. You ...
Jerry_Contrary's user avatar
5 votes

Is a gradual 3/4 inch rise acceptable under carpet?

There are shims made for these situations. Have a look These are made by traxx. Ask at your local carpet shop or order on line If you take a look at the link you will see a variety of options ...
Kris's user avatar
  • 4,245
5 votes
Accepted

How do you make flush cuts to a precise depth?

Since you're insulating and dry walling this "shed", you may want to treat it as an additional room, where extra insulation would go a long way toward your comfort. Although it's possible to rip 1.5"...
Eric Simpson's user avatar
  • 1,339
5 votes
Accepted

Is DIY water mitigation possible in my case?

Remove all the stuff (like the false ceiling and the wood paneling/drywall) that is wet and can be replaced easily as its a barrier to let the structure dry. The structural wood is wet, and wetrot/...
ChucktheDuck's user avatar
4 votes

Can I build a wooden floor over an occasionally moist garage slab with a drain?

Consider a subfloor system like DriCore. These types of systems combine a subfloor base with a water barrier that has channels underneath to allow small amounts of moisture to drain or evaporate. ...
bib's user avatar
  • 33.6k
4 votes

Drywall screws snap off when trying to fix squeaky subfloor

It won't likely cause a problem, and it may resolve the squeak. Drywall screws are very hard and somewhat brittle to keep them from stripping during install. For that reason, they're not ideal for ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 129k

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