Floor prep for bathroom tile install
A leaky toilet seal has finally prompted us to get around to that bathroom remodel we were thinking about. I’ve pulled out the carpet and pad. The floor was made up of two layers of 5/8 inch plywood. I’ve removed the top layer and inspected the bottom layer. Things were wet, but the wood is still solid.
I was planning on installing ceramic tile on 1/2 inch cement board, bedded in thinset. Do I put a layer of building felt on the plywood before I attach the cement board with thinset (and screws)?
Am I missing anything?
Thanks,
-Steve
Replies
Am I missing anything?<<<<<<<
Yeh, another layer of 5/8" plywood. CBU's don't add any integrity to the floors strength at all.
You don't need to use felt paper between the CBU and plywood. You need to thinset the CBU to the ply with fasteners. "CBU screws" or 1 1'2" roofers....orrrr if you really wanna get your hands wet. Do a mud job.
Get a book on tile. Go to the John Bridges Forum and learn before you burn.
Be floored
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
Ditto Andy.
Skip the felt paper. Put back the second layer of 5/8 ply. A layer of 3/4 ply would be better. Glue and screw the two layers of ply. A layer of 1/4" hardiebacker would make a nice bonding surface for the tile, but it doesn';t add any strength to the floor ... you could omit the hardie and there's a 95% chance the floor will last fine for 20 yrs.
If you do add the hardie, bed it with a layer of thinned thinset, then screw it down with the hardie screws (a little expensive, but they self-countersinmk real well), and then set the tile in more thinset.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt