Hi.
I just removed the old 12″ square tiling that existed on my bathroom floor. They came up easily. However, there is a sticky glue residue that was left over. The flooring beneath these old tiles apparently is a 1/4″ thk lauan ply (over the subfloor) that was placed underneath these old tiles prior to their installation. This lauan has that sticky adhesive on it. We are going to install new 12″ sq. self adhesive tiles on the floor. Do I:
1-Remove the sticky adhesive with adhesive remover, prime and then lay the new tile?
2-Apply another layer of new lauan or masonite over this existing sticky lauan ply?
In this bathroom area I have a toilet , a small vanity and a bathtub. I can’t move the bathtub. I’ll need to remove the toilet and the vanity if I add a new thickness which is OK. I can do that.
The instructions on the self adhesive tiles however say that I shouldn’t install them over lauan plywood, how come? The previous ones were done that way. Why would that be so bad?
Thanks to all in advance.
Replies
The instructions on the self adhesive tiles however say that I shouldn't install them over lauan plywood, how come? The previous ones were done that way. Why would that be so bad?......
"I just removed the old 12" square tiling that existed on my bathroom floor. They came up easily." The flooring beneath these old tiles apparently is a 1/4" thk lauan ply (over the subfloor)"..........
seems as if you answered your own question, that was easy wasn't it?
Geoff
Edited 10/26/2009 5:56 pm ET by Geoffrey
Sorry, they came up easily because I softened them with a heat gun. Otherwise they were pretty well stuck to the floor.
If possible, remove the luan. It will make for a better job. I doubt that it's actually attached directly to the subfloor. There's probably another layer of plywood (hopefully 3/4" t&g) on the subfloor.
If you can't remove the luan, add another layer on top. You'll never get the new tiles to stick to the residue and it's going to be a huge effort to remove it.
DO NOT USE MASONITE!!! I made this mistake recently and I had to redo a large portion of the floor. And my floor hadn't even gotten wet as seems likely in a bathroom. If you would like to read the whole story, you can find it here.
Before laying the tile, put a couple of coats of primer on the luan. It will help the tiles adhere much better.
I don't know why the instructions say not to use luan. Maybe they want traditional 1/4" ply which would be stronger and more stable... and not much more money.
BTW, how are you planning on attaching the 1/4" ply/luan?
Thanks for the advice.
I plan on attaching the new lauan or ply (if I go that route) with ring shanks nails.
I plan on attaching the new lauan or ply (if I go that route) with ring shanks nails.
Be aware that the nails heads may telegraph through the tiles. If it has a "busy" pattern, it may not matter much. The only way to be sure that they don't is to counter-sink the nails and fill with Dash-Patch or similar.
I've used a narrow crown stapler. It works well.
More self stick? I'd go with what you've got. I've put new self stick over old adhesive several times with no problems, even over lauan.
The reason the manufacturer says to not use luan plywood is it is porous and will suck the adhesive off the tile. You can prevent this by giving the luan a coat of polyurethane to seal it first. When dry, the tile will stick fine.
Georgia Pacific, iirc makes a quarter inch underlayment ply specifically for flooring underlayment. It is about 20 bucks a sheet at Lowes. Which is what I would use. it is not the same as luan. It is even stenciled with indicators as to where to fasten.
I would second the advice to use a narrow crown air stapler. About 150 staples per sheet iirc.
I would remove the luan and apply the new underlayment, then the tile.
Webby