Subfloor Repair: A How-To Guide
- Indicate the Area You Need to Remove. When repairing water-damaged plywood subfloors, look for water stains that are discolored from the rest of the surrounding plywood.
- Remove the Damaged Flooring. Using a circular saw, remove the damaged patch of the subfloor by following the lines you have marked.
- Reinforce Floor Joists. ...
- Apply Your Patch. ...
How much should it cost to replace a subfloor?
The cost of your subfloor 1 replacement largely depends on the square footage of the area. On average, you can expect to pay between $3 to $12 per sq.ft. to replace the subfloor in your home. The price you pay depends on where the subfloor is located, the materials used, and whether or not the installer installs the floor around walls.
How to prepare my subfloor before installing hardwood?
- Shimming the subfloor is a common method to flatten to required tolerance. ...
- 3-tab roofing shingles may range from 1/16”-3/8” in thickness, or more, depending on the quality/style. ...
- Sheet vinyl products such as linoleum may range up to 1/8” in thickness. ...
How to replace damaged subflooring under toilet?
- Start exposing the floor to fresh air by removing any rugs or furniture. ...
- Any wet drywall needs to be removed anyway, so remove the ceiling drywall below the damage to expose the floor joists.
- Create air movement with box fans ( available on Amazon ), both on top of the finished flooring and the floor below. ...
How to remove and replace a rotten subfloor?
Remove the Subfloor From Under the Wall If your subfloor is heavily rotted, you may be able to pull back on the remaining section of the subfloor and remove it by hand. If not, attach a 3/4-inch auger bit to the drill and drill to a depth of 3 1/2 inches underneath the wall bottom plate on both sides of the rotted area.
Can you patch subfloor?
1:001:51Subfloor Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe screws will hold the 2x4 into place so that the patch will not fall below with a blocking inMoreThe screws will hold the 2x4 into place so that the patch will not fall below with a blocking in place it's now time to finish the job really simple all you do is take the piece of patch would drop.
How do you fix a rotting subfloor?
0:005:46How to replace repair rotted sub floor, rotten floor. Easy! Home MenderYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHello this is Dustin with home vendor and today we're going to be tackling a hard core problemMoreHello this is Dustin with home vendor and today we're going to be tackling a hard core problem subfloor repair scares a lot of people and why wouldn't it you could fall right through the floor. We're
Can I replace my own subfloor?
If your subfloor is in need of replacement, the damaged portion will need to be completely cut out. This also requires the removal of all floor covering over the problem area as well as the accompanying underlayment materials. The process for this portion of the job will vary based on the type of flooring you have.
How do you fix a subfloor underneath?
3:035:18How to Repair Bathtub Subfloor Damage Underneath in ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr the subflooring. So simply fill it in cut it in fill it in if the damage is bad block underneathMoreOr the subflooring. So simply fill it in cut it in fill it in if the damage is bad block underneath it. And make sure that the blocks are supported properly here's a way you can support the blocks.
Is it better to nail or screw subfloor?
Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. Screws are a great alternative that you can easily remove, but they are not as sturdy. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower.
How do you treat water damaged subfloor?
How to Fix a Water-Damaged Subfloor: Your 8-Step DIY GuideStart by Stopping the Water. ... Expose the Subflooring. ... Make Your Mark. ... Carefully Cut Subflooring. ... Remove Damaged Materials. ... Speed Up the Drying Process. ... Reinforce Floor Joists. ... Install Your New Subflooring.
Can you put new plywood over old subfloor?
Be aware that installing plywood over a subfloor will leave you with an unfinished surface that is exposed; you will almost certainly want to add another layer of flooring before you've completed the job.
How much does a subfloor cost to replace?
Cost to Repair Subfloor*12Subfloor repair, entire room$300 - $400Subfloor replacement, small area$400 - $500Subfloor replacement, entire room$570 - $720*Prices based on a 500-square-foot room for entire room, 100-square-feet for small area1 more row•Mar 24, 2022
Why is subfloor so expensive?
Professional subfloor replacements in kitchens and bathrooms may cost more than standard estimates. This is because the contractors may have to move appliances or fixtures to finish the installation.
How do you fix rotted plywood?
There are two basic ways of repairing rotten plywood, by replacement or by treating it with epoxy-based compounds. The decision usually comes down to one of cost, with larger repairs requiring replacement, rather than repair. The first thing to do is to identify the extent and source of the damage.
What is the best subfloor material?
PlywoodPlywood. Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.
What is the difference between subfloor and underlayment?
Basically, subfloors are a structural part of your home that provide strength and rigidity to your home's flooring. Underlays, on the other hand, protect your floor covering from moisture, help soundproof your floor, and offer cushioning and comfort underfoot.
How to tell if subfloor is damaged?
There are a few telltale signs of a damaged subfloor, including damage to your flooring — look for cracked grout in tile flooring, hardwood that's cupping or laminate floors that appear to have bubbles underneath.
What are the two types of subfloors?
Two common types of subflooring made from wood materials are plywood and OSB. These two materials may look similar since they are both made of pressed wood, but they are quite different when it comes to how they hold up as a subfloor option. Plywood is made of thin strips of wood veneer that are pressed together using heat.
How thick is plywood subfloor?
Plywood subfloors vary in thickness from 5/8 inch to 1 inch. The wider the space between your floor joists, the thicker your subfloor will be. Use a pry bar to pull up your rotted subfloor.
What is a level subfloor?
Level subfloors are key to gorgeous floors. Image Credit: Stephen Paul. You could be walking on the finest tile or hardwood that money can buy, but the truth is that the flooring in your home is only as good as the subfloor beneath it. Sometimes, subfloors made of wood types like plywood or oriented strandboard ...
How to check for rotting joists?
To check for rotting joists, look for wet or dry rot, insect damage and rust around hardware near the joists. You can repair joists that have less than 1 inch of rot by scraping away any rotted wood and filling the space with epoxy.
Can you repair a subfloor?
Fortunately, repairs can be made to these subfloor types rather than fully re placing them depending on the amount of damage to the subfloor material.
Can you replace epoxied joists?
For joists with more than 1 inch of damage, sistering the wood with identical lumber may offer a repair; otherwise, replacement may be necessary .
How do I know if I need to replace a subfloor?
Should this be the case, a homeowner might need to peel back the layers of flooring and get to work. Here are five signs it’s time to replace a subfloor. 1. Those squeaks could be calling for your attention. It’s not uncommon for flooring to have a little squeak to it.
What is a subfloor made of?
Depending on when a home was built, a subfloor could be made from softwood boards like pine or fir, plywood, or OSB (oriented strand board). OSB is a composite of glue and strips of scrap wood, in sheets 4 feet wide and 8 or 12 feet long.
How long does OSB subfloor last?
Under normal conditions, a subfloor can last as long as the house itself. However, should a subfloor be damaged or defective, it may only last 20 to 30 years.
Why does my floor squeak?
If your floor is starting to sound like the Tin Man without his oil can, however, it might require some attention. Squeaking occurs when the wood in your subfloor rubs against a nail.
What does it mean when a floor sinks?
Sinking sections are tell-tale signs of subfloor failure. Issues with a subfloor become far more apparent when walking through a living room feels more like a stroll through rolling hills. If a floor begins to sink between floor joists, it’s a sure sign that there is an issue.
Is it too late to subfloor?
It’s difficult to know everything that goes on below your flooring. Underneath the hardwood, laminate, tile, or carpet lies the subfloor, and it’s a component that only gets attention during a full-scale renovation or a full-blown problem. Even some of the telltale signs are easy to ignore. By the time that the issue becomes apparent, it might be too late for your subfloor.
Do nails work on subfloors?
Under ideal circumstances, the nails hold the subfloor firmly to the joists, avoiding any squeaking issues. Should that subfloor begin to warp or twist (especially common in softwood subfloors), nails will begin to work themselves loose from the joists and those squeaks will begin to speak up. Advertisement. 2.
How do I repair a water damaged subfloor?
2. Expose the Subflooring. Remove baseboards around affected areas, and pull back carpeting to the nearest wall. If you’re working with vinyl flooring, cut out sections over the water-damaged subfloor, and plan on replacing them after you complete repairs.
What is subflooring in a house?
Subflooring is one of your home’s most important architectural components. It supports the first floor by securing the floor joists that span your basement or crawl space. The subfloor forms an underlying plane that holds up walls and serves as a level foundation for finished floors.
How long does it take for mold to dry?
Allow several days for affected areas to dry before finishing repairs. Otherwise, you risk mold growing on damp materials. Several large box fans and a dehumidifier speed up the drying process.
How to clean up water damage?
If you’ve ever handled water damage cleanup on your own, you know how quickly problems can spread. 1. Start by Stopping the Water. Unless you’re dealing with the aftermath of a flood, water in the subfloor has a source somewhere in the house. You need to find it and fix it before starting repairs. 2.
How long does it take to clean coffee spilled on kitchen floor?
It only takes a minute to wipe up spilled coffee on the kitchen floor. It can take days to recover from water damage after a burst pipe or storm flooding. As you work through the job of cleaning carpets and fixing hardwood floors, you have to be concerned about your home’s subflooring. Can you dry a subfloor after flooding, ...
How do I check if a tile floor is damp?
Most tile floors adhere to a cement board sandwiched between the floor and subflooring. You can check for dampness by pulling up tiles, but a restoration contractor takes care of the inspection with special equipment that leaves floors in place.
Can you replace a subfloor after water damage?
No. If you can begin the drying process immediately after the initial water damage, you may be able to avoid subfloor replacement. It’s best to let restoration professionals address the existing damage. Their assessment gives you an accurate overview of your options.
Replacing and Repairing Subfloors
Today I’m talking subfloors. Super sexy, no? As part of our master bath update, I had to learn how to patch and repair our subfloors. Before you begin to think that I have a clue… let me stop you. Here’s the deal with most of these big projects. You don’t know what you’re getting into until you’re there. Hence this subfloor 101.
Step 1. Identify where your floor joists run
Typically you can see where the nail line is on the subfloor, but obviously a stud finder can work too. It’s important to know where the joist is because you’re going to remove the damaged plywood right up until the floor joist without cutting over the floor joist.
Step 2. Remove damaged subfloor
This is important. Big time important. You HAVE to know the thickness of your subfloor. Why? You don’t know what’s under the subfloor so for all you know, there are electric or water lines and you do NOT want to cut these. Set the depth of a circular saw to *slightly* more than your subfloor to avoid cutting through anything but plywood.
Step 3. Sister a support board for the new plywood
Take a 2 x 4 (or 2 x 6/ 2 x 8), and screw it into the exposed joist being careful that the top edge aligns with the floor joist. Repeat on the other parallel exposed joist. These boards will now support the new plywood that you’re going to cut to replace the damage.
Step 4. Measure, cut and patch
Use the piece of damaged plywood as a template and cut out a fresh piece of plywood. Hammer the new piece of plywood in place with 8D common nails (every 6 inches) being careful that you are nailing into the board you screwed into the floor joist. Make sure there’s about 1/8″ between the sheets of plywood to allow for wood movement.
What is the demolition stage of a rotted subfloor?
The demolition stage of repairing a rotted section of subfloor is like cancer surgery. Once you get started, you must keep following the path of the water-born destruction until you reach ...
Can wood destroying fungi grow on subfloor?
The wood destroying fungi will continue to grow if not removed, and anything the subfloor system supports will be vulnerable.
Can waterborn destruction damage subfloor framing?
Once you get started, you must keep following the path of the water-born destruction until you reach the full extent of the damage. You don’t always know where the surgery will take you. Sometimes it extends along subfloor framing for some distance. It can also damage the wall framing around it.
Cost to Repair a Subfloor by Material
Subfloors 1 can be made from a wide range of materials like plywood and concrete. The material impacts the price of your repairs because certain materials are cheaper and easier to work with. The table below shows common materials and the average costs to fix each for a typical subfloor of between 100 and 300 sq.ft.
Cost to Fix a Subfloor by Location
Subfloors are found in various locations, including the living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. The average price for fixing subfloors is between $250 and $850, but the prices are higher if it is hard-to-access, which often happens in rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
Cost to Repair a Subfloor by Type of Repair
Various issues arise with subfloors. For example, it might develop holes that need to be patched or start sagging in certain areas. It might also suffer from joist problems, water damage, rot, or termites. The problem type impacts the repair prices because some issues are cheaper and easier to fix.
Cost to Repair a Subfloor by Solution
Professional contractors and specialists might use various methods to fix your subfloor. They might patch the affected areas for holes and cracks, while other types of damage might require other solutions, such as sealing or reinforcement. The table below shows common solutions and average prices for each.
Labor Cost to Repair a Subfloor
Labor costs for subfloor repairs typically range from $25 to $45 per hour. A wide range of factors impact the labor costs, such as the problem, repair method, time spent on the job, and accessibility. Jobs take from a few hours to several days, depending on the problem size and scale.
Subfloor Inspection Cost
A subfloor inspection ranges between $100 and $400, depending on the property size. Since they can be difficult to access and hidden by other layers of flooring, most professionals do not offer specific inspections.
Repair vs Replace Subfloor
If your subfloor is heavily damaged, you might hesitate between fixing or replacing it. Subfloors do not often need replacing and last for decades without major problems, but it might be better to replace them if they are seriously damaged, very old, or defective. Think about prices and calculate which option offers the best value.
