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 ...
- 31.1k
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 ...
- 46.2k
4
votes
Why is roof underlayment nailed in?
Staples are far more prone to cause leaks than roofing nails. For a pro roofer with a coil nail gun, they save no time at all .vs. using nails. For a non-pro who can actually use a hammer, they save ...
- 132k
3
votes
Proper Orientation for Plywood Subfloor under 3/4" Hardwood
In agreement with the above and further suggest: 1) Walk the existing floor in silence, use 1-1/4" screws to eliminate real or perceived squeaks. 2) Pay attention to the butt joints, if they are ...
- 31
3
votes
Can I reuse carpet underlayment pad?
I would not bother with used pad . You can get new inexpensive rubber pad of the appropriate thickness when you need it. I have reused older type pads , you can never get them clean; dirt goes ...
- 7,648
3
votes
Accepted
What sort of nails should I be using on Sheet Vinyl underlayment?
Unless installing a rigid material such as new plywood, luan, cement board, etc - you generally do not nail it down. When you do, ring shank is the right type of nail. But it has to be a decent ...
- 1,976
3
votes
Can I install heat mat and backer board over cork flooring?
I've never had to do this (install tile over cork), but I think you need to remove the cork.
Backer/cement boards needs to be firmly fastened to the sub-floor. Any kind of softness, give, or "...
- 3,959
3
votes
Should I have my contractor redo the underlayment?
The problem is that if there is an issue with the product at some point in the future, the manufacturer will deny any warranty claim because the installation instructions were not followed.
If this ...
- 20.3k
3
votes
Accepted
A creative Eco-friendly Underlayment for a metal roof?
Red Rosin Paper (which is a bit old-school, but can still be found) would fill the bill, I believe. It's plant based. Seems to be getting sold for floors now, but was the thing people used before ...
- 132k
2
votes
To lap or not to lap underlayment over concrete
DO not overlap as it will cause a noticeable uneven floor when walking over the areas. We cut to size and tape where the underlayment meets.
Overlap the wall areas and once flooring is complete ...
- 1,583
2
votes
Is it recommended that 1/8 thick plywood be used as underlayment?
If the subfloor is plywood no other ply is necessary; but you do need a flat surface for the Ditra. If the subfloor cannot either be scraped, chiseled, or sanded flat then self leveling compound may ...
2
votes
Accepted
Bathroom Tile Removal - Underlayment and membrane coming up
You need to tile over a solid surface. Needless to say, this stuff doesn't count, so you'll need to remove it. With a wooden subfloor, the preferred tile base is cementboard. Screw it down, mortar the ...
- 12.2k
2
votes
Should I use uncoupling membrane for tile on concrete floor?
This is a subjective question that depends on individual risk tolerance. I wouldn't bother. My previous home was a similar situation, with several cracks and no expansion joints. It was obvious that ...
- 104k
2
votes
Accepted
Plywood underlayment over plywood subfloor - how to secure
First, I'd counter your plans to orient the second layer perpendicular to the subfloor. Plywood and OSB have a strength axis that should run across the joists. Instead of turning the top layer, simply ...
- 104k
2
votes
Replacing particle board underlayment and building up floor height to lay tile
Plywood would be a very good choice. You should consult the ditra literature for your particular joist spacing, however, generally the bare minimum thickness for plywood/T&G subfloor under ditra ...
- 41
2
votes
How should I decide which flooring underlayment is best?
The question is quite broad, but there are two primary differences (aside from cost): sound management and the ability to level imperfect subfloors.
Sound management (deadening, which can reduce ...
- 104k
2
votes
Preparing uneven floor for cement board
I would use 1/4inch Luan panels and install without adhesive. Just install to manufacturers specs. This is typically to lay it down and use 1/4 inch crown staples, 1 inch long, every 6 inches along ...
- 164
2
votes
Accepted
Self leveling showing popped bubbles and small chunks
I just did my concrete floor for vinyl plank, and I would be concerned more for the flatness the the floor that it is within the tolerances needed. The bumps can be scraped off, at worst ground off. ...
- 31.1k
2
votes
How messy to get underlayment off of concrete floor?
Asbestos use in construction in the United States was banned in 1977 so there should be no asbestos in your house. To get the underlayment off, I would recommend using pouring adhesive remover ...
- 564
2
votes
Can I install heat mat and backer board over cork flooring?
If you read James Hardie installation you need to thinset the board down with modified thinset so over cork no don't do it
- 21
2
votes
Accepted
Why is it a bad idea to install self-stick tiles over luan plywood?
Luan plywood tends to have a ton of resin and other chemicals in it (due mostly to the species of wood used). This can leach out and stain tile grout or vinyl flooring (or cause adhesive issues due to ...
- 104k
2
votes
Best method to use carpet samples squares to create a Rug?
One method, like in this YouTube video, would be to use heat bond carpet seaming tape. Pro carpet installers use it with a special iron to seam carpet together, but you can use a clothes iron since ...
- 13.2k
2
votes
Accepted
Subfloor repair for LVP installation
Professional flooring installers would flood from the high point to the low point with self level. They typically charge per bag and I've seen this kind of job cost 15k when done for more than one ...
- 7,956
2
votes
Accepted
Need to level OSB board for LVP, pros and cons of using roofing shingles?
I think it would totally impossible to get good results using that method. LVT is pretty flexible. I've remodeled a rental house and personally (not a contractor) installed LVT. It turned out pretty ...
- 14k
2
votes
Can I use a flooring underlayment in conjunction with a LVP plank that already has an underlayment built-in?
I am installing LVP now with attached pad, additional pad will void your warranty. Anyway, you don't want too much cushion as this will affect the locking of the planks.
You can also verify through ...
- 21
1
vote
Checking ground current
GFCI's are set to trip between 4-6ma of leakage current. This is a pretty sensitive setting to measure.
It is possible the GFCI in the thermostat has gone bad. Like all electronics, it is prone to ...
- 19.3k
1
vote
Is a moisture barrier needed over gyp-crete (gypsum concrete) for wood / bamboo flooring?
It further depends on the kind of floor you're installing. Greebo is right about the barrier, but a "just in case" application if you're not sure might still be redundant. Vinyl flooring will be far ...
- 227
1
vote
Accepted
Is a moisture barrier needed over gyp-crete (gypsum concrete) for wood / bamboo flooring?
The answer is :
It depends
Above grade doesn't mean above ground, necessarily.
If you are referring to concrete that rises out of the ground - then yes, you should put down a moisture barrier. ...
- 25.6k
1
vote
Can I use a different brand of underlayment under my Pergo laminate floor and still be covered under the warranty?
It appears you can use any brand of underlayment as long as it meets Pergo's specifications. Their warranty is concise and straightforward and the only reference to an underlayment is made in the "...
- 22.5k
1
vote
Underlayment for vinyl plank flooring
That I am aware of T&G is not available in 1/2". 5/8" is thinest, and if carpet is the choice of finish, it should be 3/4". But it doesn't mean it will be.
You will need to set the screws or any ...
- 31.1k
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