Replies

1. 
   fredsmart48 | Dec 02, 2002 03:27am | #1

   Ask the carpenter how sure he is about it working out just the 1/2 ply. If he is sure tell him to put his money where his mouth is. Have him to write a check and put it in escrow with your lawyer and a warranty for the floor for two years.

2. 
   Piffin | Dec 02, 2002 04:28am | #2

   Floor guy is right. Flooring over this will squeak. You have my personal gaurantee.

   Should be 3/4" or 5/8" at minimum. Putting 1/4" over will do little to increase strength and will increase the distance the flooring nails or staple will need to travel to contact the 1/2" and hold the flooring tight. If you can afford the cost, you will be happier with replacing the 1/2" in the long run.

   However, if relationships are as important as the quality of the floor, supposing, for instance, that the carpenter is your husband or brother in law, I have suggestions. Keeping precautionary disclaimers in mind, that I would not recommend this as the right way to do it in the first place, herre is how you might effect a compromise with what is in place already.

   Put down 1/4" plywood with construction adhesive (I prefer PL Premium Poly) beads every four inches OC or spread a wood flooring adhesive between sheets continuously with a notched trowel, and screw this sheet down at 6"OC each direction. The combination of glue and screws can help make the 1/2" and the 1/4" as one with each other and the glue will help eleiminate the squeeks that come from the two sheets rubbing each other. It will not be as strong as 3/4" but should do the bob. All joints should be staggered from the 1/2" when installing.

   tell the carpenter to grow up. There is no way I would want 1/2" on mine. If his feelings get hurt so easy, he is in the wrong business

   BTW, You should have seen my eyes bug out when I read that the original was only 1/2". That was unconscionable, IMO

   Good luck negotiating this.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

   "The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.

   The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."

   --Marcus Aurelius

1. 
   CCbuilding | Dec 02, 2002 06:44am | #5

   Thanks.

3. 
   gordsco | Dec 02, 2002 04:41am | #3

   Unless your floor joists are less than 12" apart, I can see no reason why your refrigerator is not in the basement. A 1/2" subfloor is ludicrous. I could not imagine any reputable builder using 1/2 plywood as a subfloor. What we are talking here is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP, anything to save a buck, don't use so many nails, whats on sale?, no thanks I'll just keep the money in my pocket, just put it up - I won't be living there, I can't believe the inspector passed that! construction.

   Your hardwood guy is right, a 1/2" plywood subfloor will bow between floor joists and will not securely hold the fasteners used in laying hardwood in areas of high traffic. He will not be able to guarantee his work. Tell the Carpenter to glue and screw minimum 5/8 T&G plywood over the existing subfloor or if you think it will hurt his feelings (who cares?) ask the Hardwood Guy how much extra to have the job done right. Happy Holidays!

   Gordsco

1. 
   CCbuilding | Dec 02, 2002 06:45am | #6

   Thanks.

2. 
   CCbuilding | Dec 02, 2002 06:46am | #7

   Thanks.

4. 
   rjw | Dec 02, 2002 04:52am | #4

   Carpenter is put out and feels his professional knowledge is being questioned….says ½ is fine, 3/4 would require much blocking in hallway, and the floor guy is just trying to cover himself for any problems later. 

   Ahhh, yeah, that's right!  Who's going to get the callback, the generalist carpenter or the spec9ialist flooring guiy.

   You might want to suggest a mental health professional to your carpenter guy

   ________________________________________________

   "I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different."  Oscar Wilde