I am about to embark on a flooring project. I am going to put down (already on site) underlayment, by the name of Popply Underlayment 15. I will be putting LVT, Luxury Vinyl Tile slabs, 36″ X 8″, over this underlayment. The under layment has marks on it for staples or nails. I will be using an 18g 1″ 3/8 inch crown staple.
My first question is, do I need to hit every mark on the underlayment. The underlayment is 4′ X 4′ and has 24 marks on each edge and about another 100 in the field area randomly marked. Do I indeed staple at every mark? Not a problem, just wanted to make sure that is right.
My second question is do I need to space each seam about 1/16th, someone told me that would be a good idea?
And finally, should I use some kind of leveler for the seams when I am done, before gluing down my LVT.
Thanks in advance,
Bill
Replies
I've never heard of popply underlayment 15, but I'd say check with the manufacturer. When using luan (1/4'' plywood) we used to patch all seams and make sure the edges are down good.
The sample these guys showed me does not match the product I actually got. looks like I staple every mark and patch, not a problem, just wondering if anyone has seen this stuff.
bill
bet yer popply is just 4by4 poplar plywood. staples bout 6" in the field, and about 4" on the seams (sure easier than old ring-shanks by hand} spacing is fine on the edges, but you're gonna fill the gaps anyway, and this is summertime humidity, so it doesn't matter much
Thanks Gatno,
I will plan on the spacing and filling, thanks a lot.
The marks on the edge of these things are actually 2" apart, is that overkill?
bill
<is that overkill>No. Stapling is fast and the more the merrier. Last thing you want is a seam easing up over time. This morning I installed the underlay for the house I'm working on now. 17 sheets, just under 3000 staples, 2 1/2 hours to lay it down and staple it in no big rush.One thing I would say is to get a stapler that consistently drives them down just below the surface. If you have to go back later and drive them down by hand it's a real pain and they also don't seem to hold as well. j
"do I need to hit every mark on the underlayment."
I staple/nail at about 5-6" on edges and 8-9" in filed.
I know a guy who did not fasten underlayment down well. He was back two weeks later redoing the entire job because it was raising with buckles all over the floor.
I use Durham's Rock hard for smoothing at seams and as filler if unlevel.
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Thanks everyone for the replys. I will staple liberally. I plan on using a Bostich SX150 stapler, 1 3/16", I hope it's up to the task.
bill