| Installing Flooring |
|
Remodeling a bathroom floor can be as simple as laying new flooring over old. Or it can require replacing subflooring or even floor joists. Structural repairs shouldn’t be done by the inexperienced so let’s stick with subfloor repair and laying new flooring. Subfloor repair typically means removing the damaged (often by moisture) subfloor and replacing it with new material. As you cut out the old flooring, make sure the circular saw blade used isn’t set too deeply that it cuts more than ¼ in. into the floor joist. Also make sure that any remaining and new flooring end at the middle of a joist for support. How you install new flooring material depends on what the material is. One thing all flooring has in common is that it needs a clean, level surface. Thinner flooring such as VCT will transmit any imperfections in the subfloor to its own top surface. Thicker flooring such as hardwood can absorb minor variations, but not uneven subfloors. The best advice for installing flooring material is to follow the manufacturer’s directions. Some flooring manufacturers offer installation kits for products they sell directly to consumers. Also, buying your flooring materials from a flooring store or department often can get you assistance from an experience clerk. Ask lots of questions.
|
