Barn subfloor, vinyl tile installation
We’re going to install vinyl tile in the barn. Existing subfloor is 2/3ds rough concrete and 1/3rd plywood — the join, I assume, where a slab addition meets a basement foundation. There are large holes in the subfloor we filled in with spray foam insulation. (We were doing work in the barn basement and did not want mold and dust to come upstairs.) We are planning to use 2×4 or 2×6 concrete-nailed into the subfloor to support plywood before laying tile. Our floor guy says he can shim to make things even for the plywood. The previous floor was rough planking nailed into the 2x which had been just loose-laid over the sub floor. Our goal is to reuse what we can of that lumber, if possible. One concern: water was getting onto the subfloor through a badly mortared cinder block foundation. We have remortared and are waiting for rain to see if we still have leaks. Special materials/treatment for possibly damp location? Any thoughts about challenges to our approach? This is a barn, so stability is primary issue more than looks. Thanks
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Looking at the 2nd image, the water stains are pretty evenly spread across the block face - I question whether the moisture problem was only in the grout
remortaring a cinder block foundation will do little to help moisture problems in my experience. Cinder block is extremely porous as is the mortar. You may need to apply a waterproofing compound externally or a suitable paint system along with a suitable drainage sustem.
Your approach to leveling the floor seems sound as long as there is minimal deflection in your joists. You may want to use some kind of PT lumber on the concrete.
regards
Mark
Thanks. We have been talking about a waterproofing compound for outside and we're going to improve the gutter/downspouts.
My floor guy wants to use PT lumber for the joists, but I am hesitant. I've been suffering from respiratory problems -- after we pulled up the flooring, we vacuumed up more than 3 huge bags of fine wood dust from all that rotting lumber over the years. So I am nervous about PT out-gassing right under my feet.
Do you think we should use floor leveling compound before we do anything?
PT treatment is mineral salts. It won't off-gas until you burn it