Tile Over Wood Subfloor Bathroom

Preparing your subfloor for tile in this video learn how to prepare a wood or concrete subfloor for tile including such steps as checking for dips installing backerboard applying primer and thinset pouring liquid underlayment and when to use osb or exterior grade plywood.

Tile over wood subfloor bathroom.

The tiles broke way too easily so i was suspicious and when removing the pieces of tile i found wood rot which caused a hollow effect under these tiles tile over wood subfloor. Preparing a subfloor is an essential step for installing floor tile it provides a level surface that will allow the tiles to properly stay in place. The subfloor must be free of moisture damage including rot and sponginess and must be securely fastened to the joists and squeak free don t lay tiles on a concrete slab with cracks that appear to be spreading or irregularities that prevent you from leveling it. In addition uncoupling tile membranes prevent moisture from infiltrating surfaces below.

The house is 25 years old and this is the original tile. If installing over an appropriate wood surface sand the wood to make it smoother and remember that the installation will work better over a subfloor at least 1 1 8 inches thick. It uncouples or releases the bond between plywood and tile mortar allowing each surface to move independently of each other. An uncoupling membrane does exactly what the name says.

According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters installing backer board directly over an old solid wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons. Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. When used as an underlayment the plywood sheets are laid over the osb or plywood subfloor for a two layer base. While i prefer using 1 2 cement backer board over a plywood subfloor you may be able to get by with 1 4 backer board instead.

First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. If the tile is being installed in a bathroom consider applying an isolation membrane over your wood subfloor to further protect against expansion and contraction. If water seeps through the tile installation to the underlayment it will not cause the wood to swell as happens with interior grade plywood.