What Lies Below
This article and others that follow will be committed to home repair and enhancement dealing with different areas from roofing system to basement.
If you are going to re-do the restroom floor-- this means using up your tile, sheet vinyl, or ceramic tile and underlayments you ought to make sure there are no signs of water damage to the subflooring and examine to see if it is strong throughout. When putting down a new floor the main question is always can I lay tile over the existing floor or do I need to pick up the old one first? If the flooring is level and sound you can normally just tile right over it with plastic or vinyl floor covering, but keep in mind how much space you have for the bathroom door, door frame and wall molding (if any) you might need to open or close the door from time to time!
If the underlayment is solid but not quit level you can use leveling embossers (like mortar) to fill-in low spots to make a level surface area, otherwise place a new underlayment over it, if you can. I have actually seen home owners doctor it up with thin plain wood strips don't do it! All products must be water and moisture resistant as possible. Always use at least a 3ft level to guarantee surface is not inclined in any way.
For a normal ground level home like a ranch with no basement, floor structures are 'framed', implying the floor sits 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 help in assistance. Above the framing lays the subfloor, typically a 3/4 ″ tongue and groove particle board, plywood or similar material. Above that there is a1/4 ″ plywood or cement board (moisture resistant) thats called the underlayment and might also have a sheet of roof felt or similar material for added cushioning. Take extra care when laying underlayment over the subflooring because the flooring may break if the appears compare so it's finest to stagger the seams.
Ceramic Tiles: Since this type of tiling has actually become popular in cooking areas, bathrooms, halls and even living rooms for its sturdiness and design, I want to commit this section on the subject.
Installing ceramic tiles in the bathroom will alter the height of fixtures like toilets, vanity sinks and cabinets in addition to the door and adjoining space it is best to remove whatever and start from scratch. This means eliminating the old underlayment too. You need to produce a level surface area or the tiles will split or break. A lot of ceramic flooring tile is thick so you will have up to added to the old floor assuming 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 bit of trimming might be necessary (If you are replacing fixtures-no issue).
For tiling restroom floors these actions will provide you excellent outcomes:
* Utilizing a 3/ft level check if the flooring even throughout.
* Lay out a row of tiles, with spacers (cross shaped inserts for grout lines) along the length and width of the room to evaluate the number of tiles you are utilizing. This is also to see the number of tile cuts you will have to make near walls.
* Lay down cement board, cut to fit area and utilize a small layer of mortar to connect board to subflooring. Usage screws every 6 to 8 inches along the edges of board to protect in place. Usage mesh tape over the joints and cover with a thin layer of mortar.
* Using a trowel apply mortar about every 3 1/2 at a time and utilize smooth even strokes.
* Set the full ceramic tiles at a point outermost from entrance and press down strongly, tapping it with a rubber mallet so it spreads uniformly. Have the cut tiles prepared so as you move away from the wall location and set as you go.
* insert cross shaped spacers on end between each tile to guarantee rows are even. At corners lay spacers flat and butt tiles at the angles (dont concern, it will be exact same with). You can also stand the spacers upright against walls.
* When you get to the closet flange (toilet hole in floor) you will require a tile nipper or tile saw to cut a partial circle. Do this for all sides and lay tile down as previously. You need to do this likewise for sinks and cabinets.
* The last action is to dampen a clean sponge with water and wipe off the access grout, rinsing the sponge often.