I have a raised subfloor in my downstairs, not quite a basement level, they built it up with something above the concrete and the layer showing is OSB that is smothered in old dried glue.
There was office type carpet glued directly to the subfloor so now just glue shows and I can't see or fathom how I would get this flooring up to start fresh or flip it over.
So instead I'm thinking about covering it with a layer of thin (1/4 inch maybe) plywood. I am just putting laminate there for now, the problem is the glue makes for a rough surface, dogs have definitely peed on the floor and where corners of OSB meet some edges are buckling up, there was vinyl in one part of the downstairs and the uneveness was causing it to crack and break off.
I don't want my new floor to crack and I'd like to start with a clean slate. But if I use too thick of plywood I will have to trim all my doors and baseboards because the floor will get too tall. Help! :). Thanks in advance for any pointers.
2006-08-24 08:18:07 · 7 answers · asked by meowun 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No real need to answer this, you have been given good answers already. I would go new as well. Better in the long run.
2006-08-24 08:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by LilBear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You seem to want to do the replacement right.
So I would suggest that the entire sub-floor of OSB (oriented strand board) be removed and the underlying concrete cleaned with a high quality adhesive remover. Next prepare the concrete wit an etching solution such as muriatic acid then apply a leveling slury to seal the concrete and provide a level surface for the new flooring product.
Following this procedure will also neutralize any of the residual animal urine
This is not a weekend project, rather it will take several days possibly a couple of weekends.
Good luck!
2006-08-28 07:44:22 · answer #2 · answered by Tim Taylor 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do is to pull up the old OBS and install new subflooring. A thin overlay doesn't seem to be enough for some of the problems you discussed. I'd also check the area under the subfloor, is it concrete and are you getting a lot of moisture coming up from it? You may need to address this issue before you lay the new subfloor.
2006-08-24 08:52:30 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, your best bet is to remove the old sub-floor and replace it with new material.This will take time and more money than you want but the results will be worth the effort.You will also be able to inspect the floor joists and repair any damage to them.I know this means extra work and expense but it will solve all problems you now have.
Your only other option is to use a heavy duty floor sander to remove all the construction adhesive from the top of the plywood.
2006-08-24 08:35:54 · answer #4 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really think to start from scratch and replace it will work better in the long run. We did it with our whole house. Sooner or later you will have to deal with the problem.
An uneven subfloor will cause trouble with laminate.
Making your efforts useless and costly
2006-08-24 08:26:00 · answer #5 · answered by Eeyore 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
strip it down to the concrete now. there are a number of things you could do to "make it work", but you best bet is to do it right the first time. less headache and expense in the long run. any other fix will only be temporary
2006-08-24 08:27:07 · answer #6 · answered by atiredwing 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tear out the osb... replace with cdx. make sure the concrete underneath is sealed.
2006-08-24 08:27:04 · answer #7 · answered by Landslide 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
New sub floor would work best.
2006-08-24 08:19:49 · answer #8 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋