I am installing a hardwood floor over 5/8 tongue subfloor. There are dips in the floor that will cause problems that 1/8″ to 3/16″. I am wondering what the best way to to level this off.
1. Floor Leveler Compund–Is there one that is specific for hardwood floors?
2. Roof Shingles–Thought this was a little weird when I read this but might as well get some advice on this.
3. Any other tried and true methods.
thanks
rob
Replies
RobN
Please not shingles, shakes. Shingles are made of oil and will offgas those fumes for a long time when heated by the sun.. cedar shakes on the other hand are natural wedges & since they are tapered they work beautifuly..
I don't think I would use shingles, but your reasons contradict alot of peoples use of tar paper for underlayment. Isn't the tarpaper treated with a petroleum product as well?
Myskes
I've been in houses where tar paper is used and even with a not very sensitive nose I smell that odor if the sun is beaming on it..
You of course are free to do as you please..
Quite a theory, but I don't buy it.
Not enough direct sunlight hitting an interior floor, at a specific point, long enough to warm the shingles beneath enough to cause offgassing.
Cedar shakes on the other hand are (a) too soft for adequate substrate and (b) likely to split over time and minimize effectiveness.
Democrats.The other white meat.
Jaybird,
Go up on a fresh roof and tell me you can't smell the tar paper.. If you can't I see your point..
I suppose in time the tarpaper will stop offgassing, but I've smelled it years afterwards and I don't have a particularly sensitive nose.. I've noticed women can smell it long after I lose it but then women seem to be more sensitive then us guys..
As for mushing out, well where will it go to? It can't go up the flooring is there, it can't go down the subflooring is there it can't go sideways because you need to fill the low spot with it or risk dips and hollow spots..
Cedar may be slightly softer than the pine or "western white woods" that comprise the layers of plywood but only slightly, it's not like one is oak and the other is basswood.. (wish I had my books here to give you the exact numbers)
On a roof, exposed to direct sunlight for hours a day?
Yes. I'm certain you'll smell it.
Inside, buried under a floor, with occassional, short term, filtered, indirect sunlight?
Doubt it.
If nothing else, the splitting cedar shims will likely squeak over time.
Democrats.The other white meat.
My floor guy uses shingles. I've been back in the house he did this in (2 years later) and didnt notice any tar smell, nor did the clients have any complaints.
you can use layers of tar paper instead of shingles
Do you think that using layers of tar paper is better than using a mixed floor leveler?
Mixed floor leveler will work. I would use the latex additive rather than just water. Can you get shims between the plywood and the joists from underneath?
I can't get at it by going underneith. Can you suggest a brand name of floor leveler.
Durabond.Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
If I use Durabond and mix it with water will that not crack when I drive staples through it? Or should it be mixed with something else like a latex additative that was referred to earlier.
Thanks for everybodies input on helping me out with this.
Rob
I don't know.
It doesn't fall off the wall - At casing or base or chair rail.
I'm not an engineer - but I've used it alot for levelling.
Last time I checked out the label on floor levelling compound the ingredients said " plaster of Paris".
Also anecdotal - It's a pain to get off the floor after I'm done drywalling.
Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
a second layer of plywood screwed and glued.
at least 1/2"
Or rip up 5/8 and replace with 3/4
I don't Know what I am doing
But
I am VERY good at it!!