I don't have enough of the particle board down yet to know whether or not they're glued or just 'floating'. Since were redoing the kitchen with new cabinets, too, I was thinking more wood appearance would be overkill. Tongue and groove sub-flooring material makes much stronger joints that wont sag. The smallest leak can bloat, bow, and ultimately destroy the particle board sub-flooring that is often used in manufactured homes. Tile doesnt do well on wet and warped wood. Thank you for catching that, Milton! If you have ensured there are no pipes or wires between the joists you can simply saw between the joists and remove each piece. So far, weve done everything right, but I was hoping to learn what you recommend for kitchen flooring. Interviews We have a nice thick vinyl in our bathroom because we have a kid that doesnt quite understand the concept of keeping water IN the tublol. You can read it here, 10 Affordable and Green Tips For Remodeling Your Mobile Home. My older mobile is using that. Plywood is highly recommended as an underlayment when your floor requires a smooth and flat surface for installation. If your joists are spaced between 16 and 19.2 inches apart, you should utilize inch plywood and OSB. Most of the time it will be a window or roofing issue and the water is running down the wall. Plane floor joists, sand subfloor, or sand underlayment to handle hump in floor for cork plank flooring? I know you feel cheated and alone and the sad thing about it all is that you probably have little power to get anything done. At a major home improvement center, a 4 x 8-foot sheet of 23/32-inch OSB costs about $16.50, If its healthy, youll likely want to leave the subflooring under the walls alone. Planning a remodel and actually doing it are two completely different things and it was a hard lesson for me to learn but I definitely learned it! Was there a delay for any reason? My skill set is about the same as yours..lol..any words of encouragement. I have never seen a subflooring that couldnt handle floating flooring unless its been damaged by water or fire. I wish you the best! Required fields are marked *. I have researched quite a bit for you and think I can at least point you in the right direction. Do you think I would be okay ripping out laminate, putting 1/2 inch plywood on top of pressed board floor and then putting a foam insulator and then putting new thicker wood laminate? The other part of selection of material will depend on what you are finishing the room in and type of room. So far, its worked great. As always, thanks so much for reading. Heres a link I found that states this information: http://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/faq-mdf.htm, Heres some information about creating a toxic-free home. I bought this place from an elderly couple when it was only about a year old, but they were not honest about anything pertaining to the structure, and violated the contract by removing window treatments and substituting appliances with Goodwill purchases. Your particle board doesnt look like its in terrible shape. Then, you need to add a vapor barrier on top of the ground, install insulation between your joists, and then install an underbelly wrap. Don't add screws too close to the edge of a piece of particleboard, as it may cause the board to crack. Copyright 2023, 4 Popular Questions about Mobile Home Subfloors, We hope you have enjoyed these questions about mobile home subfloors and our Ask a Mobile Home Expert series. You should be able to find a suitable siding at a good price, sheet metal comes in all kinds of different colors these days. If you can splurge and get the .99 or $1.39 per square foot that will be an even higher quality. His opinion is that the subfloor has warped, mostly because we live in a humid climate and the lack of a/c over two+ yrs time added to the problem. Since youve already replaced it you shouldnt have to worry about it for a very long time. Just looking up all day is a pain and then dealing with the seams (building out a frame is sometimes needed) is another big pain. I also was going to have laminate hardwood installed today in my mobile home living room and was told the subfloor is too weak. For many years, mobile homes have been constructed withsub-flooring made of particle board which is made from sawdust and glue that essentially acts like a sponge when it gets wet. All of your info is very helpful, but there is no mention on how to deal with the staples and glue residue from the original sub floor. With the floor covering removed you will be able to trace the leak better. The cross of the H will form the new cross support that will be located 1/2 under the existing subfloor and the other 1/2 will be exposed so that the new subfloor edge can be installed over the top. Ive been slacking on the comments lately. The most difficult parts of the job are removing the old flooring, building out the perimeter joists, and keeping everything level. I guess my best blogging advice is to just be helpful. Does your flooring bounce or have any bows or bubbles? We have laminate flooring in the dining room on one side of the kitchen and in alcove on the other side that leads to the back door is our laundry room with nice vinyl tiles. The first is if you use too thick of board your walls bottom plate gets the amount of exposed wood available for access reduced. Is Glue down better. Secondly, plywood is vastly inferior to the materials i have purchased. Treat it with sealer stain and polyurethane coats to increase it's water resistance specifications further as they . What type of subfloor is in these homes? Remember, wiring and piping should be above the insulation so that the heat from the home can get to it. What is this layer of material in the kitchen floor? Coastal Decor As previously stated, replacing subfloors with plywood is always the best route. Is it best for me to take these risers up and just place 3/4" plywood on top of the existing plywood? OSB OSB costs $3 to $5 less per panel when compared to plywood, so the cost savings when building an entire house is significant. Phil goes through how to put extra support, and ways to prevent those irritating humps in your floor. It sounds very scary and Im so worried its not that simple. Suggestions include: A big thank you to all our readers that have asked questions about mobile home subfloors. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. In this article, you will learn the step-by-step process of replacing the subfloor in a mobile home. Plywood and particleboard are both engineered building materials. You can get in trouble later if you cheap out and just put new plywood over some of the bad particle board. Our 1978 single wide already had new electrical, new flooring, new roof, and new plumbing and we are still working on it 5 years after buying it (still needs the bathroom and the kitchen updated). Laying tile and some floating flooring is a day in the park compared to subfloor replacements. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. That could be helpful to other homeowners). If its just a living room, with no built-in cabinetry, you may be able to get by with just building a second subfloor over the first. Particleboard is more susceptible to water damage than plywood, warns Displays2Go. Be a source that they can turn to on a topic. | Types Of Plywood | How To Replace Subfloor Under Your Wall. That was also the warmest room in the house and I think it was from that extra layer of the carpet. Learn how your comment data is processed. The point I am trying to make is, those improvements were easily done . and Ill be educated when looking for a repair man for help. However, if you anticipate moisture on the carpet, such as from pet potty accidents or children spilling drinks, the particleboard under the carpet could be ruined. Those that recommend patching mat be seeing that the thickness of the two boards will cause interference with your interior doors. I own a 2003 double wide embedded inground on concrete , We removed all carpets , since carpets collect dirt and dust, no matter how much you clean and vacuum them , Put down wood laminated flooring from Costco . Therefore, adding an extra layer of flooring on top of your subfloor can help create the floor of your dreams! Mobile Home Parks At Lowe's, you'll find OSB in a range of sizes and types so you can find the right board for . It doesnt matter if at the end, the cut out portion isnt a perfect square or rectangle. If you actually have MDF (or some other high-performance pressed-particle product), which has more structural integrity, I'd consider a 1/2" or 5/8" BC, with the joints staggered from those of the MDF. Looking forward to the guidance. Particle board has almost never been considered a structural product. This is fine since the flooring was not damaged under the wall. Well look in the next section how to prepare the joists for supports to support the new subfloor regardless of the shape. There are a lot of options but Ill be honest, ceilings are not easy. What would you recommend to alliviate squeaks? Your site is very well done and very informative! What you're doing here is more aesthetic than anything else, so have fun with it. Thanks for the help. You want to protect the subfloor and studs from water at all costs. You want to be sure you dont spend more than the home could ever be worth and you are being very smart by asking the tough questions. Other than that, learn what SEO is and how to write for the search engines. Lay plywood over floorboards by leaving about 1/8 inch between the plywood and the wall. The supports will also need to go underneath the remaining edges of the existing subfloor so that those edges can also be screwed into the new supports. However, many subfloors might not be the ideal surface on which to lay your finished floors. Try Mobile Home Parts Store. When installing tile flooring, you need mortar and grout, which will likely soak into the plywood. I appreciate you taking the time to let us know the error! Best of luck! It's a popular choice for flooring, wall and roof sheathing, structural panels, and much more. Plywood is stronger and more durable than particle board, as it is made with cross-grain texture and stronger adhesives. All the flooring is laid before the walls are installed so chances are your flooring and floor covering will be under the entire wall. You will probably need to replace subflooring in a mobile home eventually, especially if its an older home or you have encountered a leak. Self-Leveling Underlayment is an easy-to-use, cement-based underlayment that self-levels. The image above shows the complex plumbing you may encounter in a mobile home bathroom. First, be sure that the floor is completely clean from all nails, screws, glue, staples, carpet fibers, dust, and thinset. Please help,I Live in Norwich, Ct and I am in need of a repair man who can fix a small portion of subflooring. I decided that I wanted to remove it and replace it with plywood. You don't know if they're glued on the bottom and you might damage the plywood underneath. Homeowner Stories They actually made it worse by causing a mold issue. This will make the leveling process far easier. Im so sorry that happened. This is aquick and dirty list of the basic steps needed to replace flooring in a mobile home. Should you place your new manufactured home in a park, or on a lot that you own? Also, with better sub-flooring you can use practically any product on the market as long as your kitchen doesnt cross the marriage line. Now I know that I was reacting to the off-gassing of the new floor coverings, paint, formaldehyde, paneling and the entire building that was still fairly new. Sub-flooring should be laid in the same direction as the original, usually opposite the direction of the joists. What is less obvious is the breakdown of the subfloor that hasnt yet caved through. Should I put plastic under our door wall to keep our floor dry? Floor covering comes in several materials, such as hardwood, tile, carpet, or, A circular saw a hand saw, or any other saw that is suitable for cutting wood. In another recent home that we did, there had been a leak in the laundry room and the subfloor was damaged in that room, as well as into the hallway and bathroom. Therefore, there are many styles available to cater to a variety of design preferences. If you are installing a hardwood floor covering. Financing and Insurance Your web site has been the most helpful site Ive ever found. Im not sure if thats true but Ive seen bleach and mold/mildew cleaner remove some dangerous-looking stuff. Id love to share your project with our readers, it could help a lot of people. We are wanting to install vinyl tiles in bathroom and laundry room. The subfloors of many older manufactured homes tend to be made of dense particle board. Is a handyman sufficient to make the bladder repairs or should this work be completed by a contractor? I do know that the cheap laminate floating floor worked just fine over the older pile flooring in our single wide bedroom. When installing new plumbing in an old (1979) mobile home, can it be done from underneath the trailer, or does it need to be done by removing the flooring? The previous owners built a porch right up to the mobile home and every time it rains or ice melts the water goes under the wall . Sorry, I cant help much. Then replace the particle board with plywood of the same thickness and make sure you glue it to the risers in addition to using a fastener. rev2023.3.3.43278. My terminology is likely incorrect but I think it's 1/4" particle board underlayment on top of those shims. Hope that helps! Many thanks! Hello, I SO ENJOYED THE VIDEO ON REDOING THE SUBFLOORING, THANK YOU. A pneumatic stapler and galvanized staples. Chuck started investing in, buying, renovating, selling, and flipping manufactured homes both in parks and on their own fee-simple lots. You can add a layer between your subfloor and your floor covering, known as an underlayment. How do I deal with Particle Board Subfloors and Hardwood Flooring? Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? You only have to replace the subfloor if it is damaged. Plywood underlayment is the most common kind of underlayment because it is strong, durable, and you can sand it down to a smooth finish. Then the cross support is cut to length, dropped into the joist hangers, and finally attached to the hangers using screws. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Im looking into purchasing a 1984 Schult built double wide. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Maybe, if the doors can still open and close with that second layer and the initial subfloor are healthy you may be able to do that Id have someone check it out to make sure it can be done. Soft spots are less common in newer homes that have plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board) subfloors. Sand those risers to get rid of the glued particle board remaining on them. Weve used beadboard paneling in a few mobile homes too. This article will help you choose the right contractor without getting ripped off. Tile (light weight preferably), laminate, real wood, etc. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess Ill just sum it up what I had written and say, Im thoroughly enjoying your blog. Stretching and stapling/nailing the wrap is a real pain but its easier with help. Carla. Where would we get the bladder material to make the repairs. Youll simply rip out the old and lay in the new over the wall lip. Nice job on this DIY article Crystal. To replace flooring in a mobile home you will need experience in construction. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. I'd keep the risers there even if they're loose. What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? I have no insulation or blatter bag underneath very simular to a crawl space home. If you plan any open wall work such as replacement of a wall with sheetrock you can loose to much of the plate to nail to. Ive lived in my 79 mobile home (double wide) for 27 years. Ive read that I should keep the insulation below the wiring and pipes. Particle board subfloor - cover with additional plywood/osb for luxury vinyl plank flooring? Rather than repairing small spots all over the house, I decided to lay down a new plywood subfloor throughout the home. locations, especially under the master bathroom shower pan area. My email is [email protected]. Then plywood, particleboard or OSB is placed on top of the wood frame to create the subfloor, also called the decking. Let me know how you choose and if you can please take some photos. Apologies! Thanks. Country Primitive Decor Use over concrete, wood, tile, terrazzo and cut back adhesive.Leveling Subfloor Patch Before Installing New Flooringif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'mobilehomefriend_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_16',707,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mobilehomefriend_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); Taking the time for this step makes the finished product of your new subfloor area feel the way it should underneath your feet. Black mold could be a problem and the electrical system may need to be updated to a modern breaker box and modern wires and the plumbing will likely need to be upgraded if the original pipes used were recalled (some of the grey water pipes). Please share any info you may have. Id call it flat. Its absolutely possible but every home is different due to leveling and carpet thickness so its hard to give a definite yes. There is also a composite type ceiling which Id love to replace with drywall, as well as all the paneling throughout the entire home. Make sure to keep them just in case you decide to remove the chair rail in the future. Since this final layer is all about aesthetic appeal, it doesnt usually add structural support. Measure the space between thejoists so you can cut the lumber (26) to the right length so they fit in between the joists. DIY Projects If not, then perhaps you can pay the contractor to fix the subfloor before venturing on your own to add another layer of plyboard. If they're floating should I glue them down and just get the same size plywood? Beginning her career at newspapers such as the "Marietta Daily Journal" and the "Atlanta Business Chronicle," she most recently worked in communications and management for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. Even though installer put in some extra screws, the squeking seems even more noticeable. While those are both true, that is only the beginning. Do not install the second layer until the first layer has been installed and has dried completely. Often, when repairing a bad subfloor, it is when you are going to install new flooring, whether tile, wood, or carpet. Just mix it with water, pour and spread. You will need to cut the strips or slats. To do entire 1560 sq ft is an expense. This article will help you choose the right contractor without getting ripped off. You will install the new belly wrap after you finished with the insulation (while youre under there make sure your duct work is tight). This can lead to severe warping and deterioration of the particleboard panel if exposed to even small amounts of water. Home will never be moved only torn down. Of course, if you have any questions feel free to add them in the comments and Ill do my best to help. Im in Kentucky. Underlayment can reduce the noise of footsteps, provide extra cushion to the floor, and act as a moisture barrier. First, you shouldnt use water-based primers or paints. A rented toe kick / flush cut saw makes it much easier to cut sub-flooring right next to walls and cabinets. We did the entire home (697 sq. Our carpet wasnt indoor/outdoor carpet but it wasnt the thick stuff, either. Can they usually fix the subfloor and lay new flooring? Im thinking well want to lay down a moisture barrier between the flooring and the subfloor, as well as put in real plywood. Mark for Cutting: Use a chalk line to mark the area to be removed, making sure the end cuts are centered over floor joists. Well, he had an accident, he actually broke one of my small plastic pipes under the kitchen sink. Thank you Crystal!! In that case, it's a good idea to lay plywood over the particleboard before laying carpet. If youve been in many mobile homes, youve probably felt areas of the floor that feel spongy, or soft. I prefer to use the sistering joist method, as it is easier to install. I prefer a exterior grade plywood with one side sanded(up) but have also used the OSB. Eclectic and Unique Decor My question is that I want to put the wood look tile in the laundry, kitchen, and living room. (PS If you do it could you please take photos so I could write an article about it? Decorating Tips Also, all OSB is not the same. We absolutely encourage DIY. We just purchased a 1973 doublewide MH and it needs so much work. If you do it, be sure to seal around the wood inside your vents (with mastic and the shiny aluminum tape). For many years, mobile homes have been constructed with sub-flooring made of particle board which is made from sawdust and glue that essentially acts like a sponge when it gets wet. We store towels, medicine, toiletry supplies, first-aid gear, massage devices, facial steamers, spare Painting your garage is a great way to improve the look of the space and make the walls easier to clean. If you live in a manufactured home with a particle board subfloor you will likely need to replace it eventually. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rank it a 7 because no specialty tools are required and the material list is short but it is a tedious job and it must be done right. They will at least know which local companies will work on manufactured housing and thats a good start. Prior to installing any finished flooring, it is important to remember: Re-secure any loose wood subfloor planks, OSB, or plywood subfloors to the floor joists using 2-1/2" deck screws. You may need to use a Dremel tool or knife to get the sub-flooring out from underneath the walls if the sub-flooring is damaged or rotted. Replacing particle board subfloor with plywood, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Thank you. , Your email address will not be published. Additionally, you will save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on paying a carpenter high labor fees by doing this project yourself. I have been reading and there is a rubber stuff you roll on and it is suppose to stop ALL leaks, is this the best way to go? Check out our guide: Can You Use A Router To Cut Plywood? I have lived in a double-wide since 1987, and it now needs some major work. Im trying to hire someone to lay the new subfloor. Now I have a much bigger problem where larger areas of the subfloor needs is be replace. Your video and written articles have really helped me what to look for. Particleboard is made from wood dust and chips that are combined with resin and shaped into panels in a hot press, reveals Upgraded Home. Yikes! Generally, it is better to have a thin but sturdy underlayment. It is necessary that all edges of the new subfloor are supported underneath and can be attached with screws. I wouldn't use particleboard anywhere in a home, or on any project, I still prefer plywood over OSB for strength and moisture resistance, even though OSB has made significant progress. You should get the warped MDF subfloor replaced as soon as possible but before you do that you need to find out what warped it and make sure that is repaired first. You do not want to touch the joists below. I cannot do the work. Before embarking on your DIY flooring journey, its essential to understand the different components of flooring. Is a raised kitchen framed up on an existing sub floor so it could be removed?? The subfloor seems to be in good condition and goes over a crawl space, with the only issue being furniture, etc "shaking" a bit when walking around. If your house has a concrete slab and no joists, then the slab is considered your subfloor. Is there a special way or certain screw type needed? Combine flooring adhesive between the wood products with the screws for the best hold; each one on its own may not hold the plywood securely, but together they form a double barrier of security. Hopefully, this article will give you enough information toreplace flooring in a mobile home yourself. and is what you walk on every day. Id get a pro to take a look and see what he would do and how much it would cost. I have one mobile home that I purchased as a rental about 2 years ago. He says that one of the most satisfying part of renovating the mobile homes is creating beautiful, affordable housing that people are proud to own, and call home! The home will never be moved nor has it been moved since the original owner had it set on the acreage. The home inspector said putting an additional layer of sub-flooring over top should help solidify everything. The process is pretty similar. My single wide has a raised kitchen and I love it but I completely understand why youd want to get rid of it. I was thinking of pulling up vinyl planking and put plywood on top of original pressboard subflooring (as long as its not rotted). Its been up for 5.5 years. You'll start laying plywood over floorboards by putting a square in the corner and leaving about 1/8 inch between the plywood and the wall.