Need help with self-leveling compound under bath?

Question

We are tackling the remodel of our bathroom in a house NOT built by a contractor due to the need to replace rotten flooring. The guy who built this house in the 70's cut the floor joist to make room for the toilet piping. We have fixed that and replaced all the damaged subflooring and drywall. The floor is still not level.

Can someone give us the name of a good thin-set compound to pour in the 15 sq ft space to level it?

We have a 50 lb bag of Quik Set self-leveling compound but from the directions, it doesn't sound like what we're looking for but if anyone knows if this can be used as a thin set pour, please let me know. Hubby is worried about weight using this type of compound, is it okay to use?

We have found the other type of compound that you pour but that's another 50 lb bag ($70) and we're trying to conserve on the money. Help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Any thin-set or level-set should work but, I, after rebuilding my joists and putting in a new floor, I also put in 3/4 inch plywood over the floor to distribute the weight, then I measured the area of the tub, put it in and draw around it, then I put about four bags of thin-set down and worked the tub into it. This of course was after I made sure I had all the lines level and everything was in place. The tub now sits in about 160 pounds of thin-set and is as solid as a rock, no noise, no shifting. I believe if your going to do a job, do it right the first time. My son-in-law wouldn't listen, now whenever the kids take a bath, it sounds like someone on drums upstairs.

Answer 2

What type of flooring are you going to put down? If ceramic tiles, use a thinset like Versabond by Custom Building Products (can be found at the local flooring retailer or Home Depot).
The other question is how far out of level are you? If it 's less than an inch just set the tile in the mortar. Use a four foot level to keep straight. Cost of the Versabond thinset should be $12.00-$15.00.

Answer 3

I am slightly perplexed by your question . You mention cut joists, then go on to state that you have self levelling ?
I suspect that you removed the wooden floor and installed concrete, and it is now not level. If you can allow the floor to be 1" higher,or more it is best to lay a straight piece of timber against each wall, secured if necessary with screws into the floor, and screed carefully with a straight-edge.
Self levelling is too expensive, and does'nt work as well as a well-screeded floor.

Answer 4

you do not say if it is on the second floor or not,, you need to start off looking into new joist on either side of plumbing or redoing your plumbing correctly, cutting out joist is fine, but you can put new ones in next to where the old one was and next to the plumbing, your floor needs to be able to hold up 8 pounds a gallon of water plus your weight, 2x4 are not the way to go,,

use the correct joist for the span, and then use 3/4 inch plywood and then you can thin set and put in the tub,