What Lies Below
This post and others that follow will be committed to home repair and enhancement handling different areas from roofing system to basement.
If you are going to re-do the restroom floor-- this means taking up your tile, sheet vinyl, or ceramic tile and underlayments you need to make certain there are no signs of water damage to the subflooring and check to see if it is strong throughout. When putting down a new flooring the primary concern is constantly can I lay tile over the existing floor or do I have to pick up the old one first? If the flooring is level and sound you can typically just tile right over it with plastic or vinyl floor covering, but keep in mind how much room you have for the bathroom door, door frame and wall molding (if any) you might have to open or close the door from time to time!
If the underlayment is solid but not stop level you can use leveling embossers (like mortar) to fill-in low areas to make a level surface area, otherwise place a brand-new underlayment over it, if you can. I have seen property owner doctor it up with thin plain wood strips don't do it! All products should be water and moisture resistant as possible. Always use at least a 3ft level to guarantee surface is not inclined in any way.
For a common ground level home like a ranch with no basement, floor foundations are 'framed', indicating the floor rests on joists with 2-by's (stills) running perpendicular to the joists along the structure. 'Girders', (metal rods) at or near the center of the joists assist in assistance. Above the framing lays the subfloor, generally a 3/4 ″ tongue and groove particle board, plywood or similar material. Above that there is a1/4 ″ plywood or cement board (moisture resistant) thats called the underlayment and may likewise have a sheet of roof felt or similar material for included cushioning. Take additional caution when laying underlayment over the subflooring because the flooring might break if the seems compare so it's finest to stagger the seams.
Installing ceramic tiles in the restroom will alter the height of components like toilets, vanity sinks and cabinets as well as the door and adjacent space it is best to eliminate everything and go back to square one. This indicates eliminating the old underlayment also. You need to produce a level surface area or the tiles will split or break. A lot of ceramic floor tile is thick so you will have up to added to the old floor assuming you had plastic tile or vinyl to start with. You will be offsetting the height of the old components and the door so a little bit of cutting may be necessary (If you are replacing fixtures-no problem).
For tiling bathroom floorings these actions will give you terrific outcomes:
* Utilizing a 3/ft level check if the flooring even throughout.
* Lay out a row of tiles, with spacers (cross formed inserts for grout lines) along the length and width of the room to determine the number of tiles you are utilizing. This is also to see how many tile cuts you will have to make near walls.
* Set cement board, cut to fit area and utilize a small layer of mortar to attach board to subflooring. Use screws every 6 to 8 inches along the edges of board to protect in place. Usage mesh tape over the seams and cover with a thin layer of mortar.
* Using a trowel apply mortar about every 3 1/2 at a time and use smooth even strokes.
* Set the complete ceramic tiles at a point furthest from entrance and press down firmly, tapping it with a rubber mallet so it spreads evenly. Have the cut tiles ready so as you move away from the wall location and set as you go.
* insert cross formed spacers on end between each tile to insure rows are even. At corners lay spacers flat and butt tiles at the angles (dont concern, be sure to read this it will be very same with). You can likewise stand the spacers upright versus walls.
* When you get to the closet flange (toilet hole in floor) you will need a tile nipper or tile saw to cut a partial circle. Do this for all sides and lay tile down as in the past. You should do this also for sinks and cabinets.
* When all the tiles are down you must wait a least one day for it to set correctly this is an essential action before you put down the grout. When prepared, mix tile grout to cover about of the space at a time, this will provide you time to do to right. Secure the cross spacers and apply grout with a grout float, then holding float at an angle squeeze off excess grout. Do this with step with the rest of the room.
* The last step is to moisten a clean sponge with water and rub out the gain access to grout, washing the sponge frequently.