What Lies Below
This post and others that follow will be committed to home repair and enhancement handling different areas from roof to basement.
If you are going to re-do the bathroom flooring-- this means using up your tile, sheet vinyl, or ceramic tile and underlayments you should make certain there are no signs of water damage to the subflooring and check to see if it is strong throughout. When setting a new floor the main concern is constantly can I lay tile over the existing floor or do I have to pick up the old one first? If the floor is level and sound you can generally simply tile right over it with plastic or vinyl flooring, but bear in mind how much room you have for the restroom door, door frame and wall molding (if any) you may need to open or close the door from time to time!
If the underlayment is solid however not quit level you can utilize leveling embossers (like mortar) to fill-in low spots to make a level surface, otherwise put a brand-new underlayment over it, if you can. I have seen property owner doctor it up with thin plain wood strips don't do it! All products need to be water and wetness resistant as possible. Constantly utilize at least a 3ft level to guarantee surface is not slanted in any way.
For a typical ground level home like a ranch without any basement, flooring foundations are 'framed', implying the flooring rests on joists with 2-by's (stills) running perpendicular to the joists along the structure. 'Girders', (metal rods) at or near the center of the joists assist in assistance. Above the framing lays the subfloor, normally a 3/4 ″ tongue and groove particle board, plywood or comparable material. Above that there is a1/4 ″ plywood or cement board (wetness resistant) thats called the underlayment and might also have a sheet of roofing felt or comparable material for added cushioning. Take extra care when laying underlayment over the subflooring because the flooring may crack if the appears compare so it's best to stagger the seams.
Ceramic Tiles: Due to the fact that this type of tiling has become popular in kitchen areas, bathrooms, halls and even living spaces for its resilience and style, I wish to dedicate this section on the subject.
Installing ceramic tiles in the restroom will alter the height of fixtures like toilets, vanity sinks and cabinets in addition to the door and best blocked drains company near me adjoining room it is best to remove whatever and go back to square one. This means removing the old underlayment too. You have to develop a level surface area or the tiles will break or break. Many ceramic flooring tile is thick so you will have up to contributed to the old floor presuming you had plastic tile or vinyl to start with. You will be balancing out the height of the old components and the door so a little cutting may be essential (If you are replacing fixtures-no issue).
For tiling restroom floorings these steps will provide you excellent results:
* Using a 3/ft level check if the flooring even throughout.
* Lay out a row of tiles, with spacers (cross formed inserts for grout lines) along the length and width of the space to gauge the number of tiles you are using. This is likewise to see how many tile cuts you will need to make near walls.
* Lay down cement board, cut to fit area and use a small layer of mortar to connect board to subflooring. Usage screws every 6 to 8 inches along the edges of board to secure in location. Use mesh tape over the seams and cover with a thin layer of mortar.
* Utilizing a trowel use mortar about every 3 1/2 at a time and utilize smooth even strokes.
* Set the full ceramic tiles at a point furthest from entrance and press down strongly, tapping it with a rubber mallet so it spreads out equally. Have the cut tiles prepared so as you move far from the wall location and set as you go.
* insert cross formed spacers on end between each tile to insure rows are even. At corners lay spacers flat and butt tiles at the angles (dont worry, it will be very same with). You can also stand the spacers upright versus walls.
* When all the tiles are down you should wait a least one day for it to set properly this is an important step before you put down the grout. When ready, mix tile grout to cover about of the space at a time, this will provide you time to do to right. Secure the cross spacers and use grout with a grout float, then holding float at an angle squeeze off excess grout. Do this with action with the rest of the room.
* The last action is to moisten a clean sponge with water and rub out the access grout, rinsing the sponge frequently.