What Lies Below
This article and others that follow will be dedicated to home repair work and improvement handling different areas from roofing to basement.
If you are going to re-do the restroom flooring-- this suggests taking up your tile, sheet vinyl, or ceramic tile and underlayments you ought to ensure there are no indications of water damage to the subflooring and examine to see if it is solid throughout. When setting a new flooring the main question is always can I lay tile over the existing floor or do I need to get the old one first? If the floor is level and sound you can generally simply tile right over it with plastic or vinyl flooring, however keep in mind just how much room you have for the bathroom door, door frame and wall molding (if any) you may have to open or close the door from time to time!
If the underlayment is strong however not give up level you can use leveling embossers (like mortar) to fill-in low areas to make a level surface, otherwise place a new underlayment over it, if you can. I have seen resident doctor it up with thin plain wood strips do not do it! All materials plumbers in my area need to be water and moisture resistant as possible. Constantly utilize a minimum of a 3ft level to guarantee surface is not slanted in any way.
For a common ground level home like a ranch without any basement, flooring structures are 'framed', meaning 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 assist in support. Above the framing lays the subfloor, usually a 3/4 ″ tongue and groove particle board, plywood or similar product. Above that there is a1/4 ″ plywood or cement board (moisture resistant) thats called the underlayment and might likewise have a sheet of roof felt or comparable material for added cushioning. Take extra care when laying underlayment over the subflooring due to the fact that the flooring might crack if the appears compare so it's best to stagger the seams.
Ceramic Tiles: Because this type of tiling has become popular in kitchens, bathrooms, halls and even living spaces for its resilience and style, I want to dedicate this section on the subject.
Installing ceramic tiles in the restroom will alter the height of components like toilets, vanity sinks and cabinets in addition to the door and adjacent room it is best to remove everything plumber and go back to square one. This means removing the old underlayment too. You need to produce a level surface or the tiles will crack or break. The majority of ceramic flooring tile is thick so you will have up to contributed to the old floor assuming you had plastic tile or vinyl to begin with. You will be offsetting the height of the old components and the door so a bit of cutting might be necessary (If you are replacing fixtures-no problem).
For tiling bathroom floors these steps will provide you terrific results:
* Utilizing a 3/ft level check if the flooring even throughout.
* Put down cement board, cut to fit location and use a small layer of mortar to attach board to subflooring. Usage screws every 6 to 8 inches along the edges of board to protect in place. Usage mesh tape over the seams 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 firmly, tapping it with a rubber mallet so it spreads out equally. Have the cut tiles ready so as you move away 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 concern, it will be same with). You can likewise stand the spacers upright versus walls.
* When you get to the closet flange (toilet hole in flooring) you will need a tile nipper or tile saw to cut a partial circle. Do this for all sides and lay tile down as in the past. You must do this likewise for sinks and cabinets.
* When all the tiles are down you should wait a least one day for it to set properly this is an important action before you put down the grout. When ready, mix tile grout to cover about of the room at a time, this will give you time to do to right. Take out the cross spacers and use grout with a grout float, then holding float at an angle squeeze off excess grout. Do this with step with the remainder of the room.
* The last step is to dampen a clean sponge with water and rub out the gain access to grout, washing the sponge frequently.