Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. If you do in fact have only the 3/4" particle board now, you should not consider it structural. I cannot do the work. I really like the new vinyl on the market. If you can splurge and get the .99 or $1.39 per square foot that will be an even higher quality. The standard particle board subfloor that is so common in mobile homes soaks up moisture. The plywood underlayment helps cover up any dings or imperfections in the subfloor, allowing you to install floor coverings with ease. You will likely have the best luck finding someone by calling your local mobile home supply store. As you continue to measure and cut plywood pieces, you will be able to cover the remainder of the floor. Lets discuss the best ways to fix these before you install any new flooring above the subfloor. The cheaper particle board sub-floor that is so notorious in manufactured housing is not a good foundation for tile. You should be able to find a suitable siding at a good price, sheet metal comes in all kinds of different colors these days. At this time, I presume the Bottom Barrier (Belly Board), ductwork and fiberglass insulation are in acceptable condition. Hello Crystal, I saved this article to my favorites to return to because we bought a manufactured home last December and made some improvements throughout. This would be a good time to replace the shower alltogether! Thanks again for your help This was very helpful. As always, thanks so much for reading. To put in new flooring in my kitchen. Where would we get the bladder material to make the repairs. Would they be 16 on center or are they farther apart. 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. There is only around 18 between belly and ground at one end. When we finished, the floor felt very solid throughout. 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. Particle board subfloor - cover with additional plywood/osb for luxury vinyl plank flooring? Home is a big deal and hard work . Since you are dealing with major components of your home like plumbing, wiring, and walls a professional should be present. or take them up? basically how much to replace a living room15x24. To install the second layer like a subfloor, lay it perpendicular to the first layer. The most recommended subfloor material is 5/8 plywood. If you have water damage Id def replace the floors first, after the leaks have been repaired. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? 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). A full overlay? Help! After building the H, it is lowered into the floor. Theres a ton of blogs and sites and readers know which ones have a soul or were created out of an interest or passion and which ones pay for their articles and use tactics to get ahead. Modern Traditional Decor I have 2 sides open for ventilation. Additionally, the particle board is flat in shape, whereas plywood can be moulded into different shapes. If youve been in many mobile homes, youve probably felt areas of the floor that feel spongy, or soft. Any more videos that can help me I would appreciated it. Thats where your article was invaluable. Since we have high ceilings, he said removing the existing subfloor was unnecessary in his opinion, because the joists themselves arent damaged. Manufactured homes can settle over time which is why it is recommended to do are-levelingcheck every 2-3 years. If you can take pictures while youre doing the project I would love to write out a how-to article and use your pics. I live in an old (1996) mobile home. Im searching for info on ceiling replacement. In fact, this is a perfect job for anyone whos looking to get their foot into the door for DIY projects. Whats the grammar of "For those whose stories they are"? If you have any questions please feel free to comment below and we will do our best to find your answer! Self-Leveling Underlayment is an easy-to-use, cement-based underlayment that self-levels. The subfloor is responsible for holding up all of the things in your home, from people to furniture to the different layers of the floor. I just want to add, without any scientific information, I believe the glue used on top of the floor joists formed a chemical reaction with the glue in the particle board just making this one difficult bond to break, chisel and sand. Over the years, this type of subfloor has the tendency to break down in heavy traffic areas within the home. Karen..I just read your question. Therefore, adding an extra layer of flooring on top of your subfloor can help create the floor of your dreams! A pneumatic palm nailer or small impact driver makes it much easier to install support blocking on floor joists. Most subfloors are either 3/4 or 5/8 thick. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. I prefer a exterior grade plywood with one side sanded (up) but have also used the OSB. Sand those risers to get rid of the glued particle board remaining on them. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this comment, Robert! He helps clients get their homes ready to sale, helps his buyers with after-purchase remodeling; often very substantial renovations including full kitchens and bathrooms. Installing plywood underlayment is a relatively straightforward undertaking. I love it right now but I know it will be an issue as we age. I just wanted to replace my carpet with laminate flooring.. Our years of experience, buying, selling, renovating, managing rentals, and brokering transactions has given us a wealth of knowledge we want to share with you. Now you're ready to install the new underlayment or subfloor. Hope this helps. Keeping the moisture away to begin with is the ultimate weapon against buildup of dampness and mold. and tiled each bathroom Get pure delicious water from our well drilled down to 486 feet. hope you don't have any tall friends. In the kitchen, mud room, and bathrooms moisture barriers are a must have! New subflooring, along with new insulation, will help your home last longer and save heating and cooling costs. Floors Walls and Ceilings Id love to share your project with our readers, it could help a lot of people. To take care of this problem, we have found that Henry 555 Level Pro works perfectly for our purposes: The Henry Level Pro 40 lb. To replace flooring in a mobile home you will need experience in construction. Thanks so much for the detailed response. Bed and Bath Before embarking on your DIY flooring journey, its essential to understand the different components of flooring. I have had some water issues and the last crew I hired didnt remove the damaged flooring first. Craigslist or Angies List may be a good place as well. Our carpet wasnt indoor/outdoor carpet but it wasnt the thick stuff, either. I have spoken to many contractors and the most reliable (whom i cant afford; he builds and renovates homes on the florida keys) recommended a subfloor that looks like OSB but contains resins. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. We are in process of DIY renovating it. Underlayment goes on top of the subfloor, and you dont necessarily need it for structural integrity. We installed our laminated floating floor from Lowes over the carpet and have had no issues at all. Heres a video showing how to use a circular saw to cut out subflooring in a mobile home: If your flooring is 3/4 set your circular saw to that and follow the perimeter along the edge of the room. Id really like to be a part of community where I can get suggestions from other experienced individuals Joists are usually made from dimensional lumber and carefully placed to maximize support. This article will help you choose the right contractor without getting ripped off. This home was a 1980 model and had a subfloor made of particle board. Secondly, tile is a great addition to bathrooms but when installing tile in bathrooms or laundry areas it must be installed correctly with proper pans and liners. Your email address will not be published. He was using screws for wood and we know the floor underneath is particle board with many staples in it. At a major home improvement center, a 4 x 8-foot sheet of 23/32-inch OSB costs about $16.50, I do see a lot of rotting in several areas outside at top of sliding. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. You would frame it up with 2x4s (at whatever measurement you need to account for the plywood and make it even with the rest of the home). We have the cheapest laminate flooring Lowes sold in our kitchen and Ive been impressed with it for over 3 years. The image above shows the complex plumbing you may encounter in a mobile home bathroom. Eclectic and Unique Decor Plumbing and Wiring They have 38 state administrative agency offices (I think thats the number) and then the national offices in DC. 3/4 in. Also, I havent leveled in 20 plus years, should I do that first. The different subfloors depend on the age of the house and the location. It helps seal cracks to keep out water leaks, and its also generally white, which reflects the heat off of the roof. Heres the link: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/rmra/mhs/mhdrp. 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. In addition to expansion and shrinkage of the individual wood chips, the resin is also vulnerable to moisture attack. As for we are wanting to DIY our bathroom with new double shower and toilet. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparents former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way. Heres an article that explains the process better. Its not fair but its the truth. Youll need to remove the floor covering, then the subflooring (without damaging or cutting anything else). When installing tile flooring, you need mortar and grout, which will likely soak into the plywood. Therefore, I'd use 3/4" (23/32) tongue-and-groove OSB, which is standard as a basic single-layer subfloor in new homes. Now where the hot water tank sat and to the front of the closet it sat in next to my dryer is all wet. Bed and Bath If it can be done either way, which is easier? Please give me the Best Advice. The pan that was under it had a crack so the water seeped through. For bathroom or kitchens consider marine-grade plywood. Country Primitive Decor Id also like to add an addition, as well as put it on a permanent foundation, then eventually replace the roof with a metal roof. If so, how do I find them? any suggestions or ideas would be helpful>. I have googled until Im cross-eyed and so many cons about almost every type flooring. Then the cross support is cut to length, dropped into the joist hangers, and finally attached to the hangers using screws. Financing and Insurance there are different grades and thicknesses. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. If not, then perhaps you can pay the contractor to fix the subfloor before venturing on your own to add another layer of plyboard. Can you tell me where I can get some estimates in Huntington Beach, Ca.? My floor in front of my door wall is damaged from water and pets. They see something that is not plywood and call it particle board. Energy.gov states that as much as 25% of a homes heat will be lost through the vents and floor. As long as you are getting thick high-quality plywood or even OSB (anything except MDF / particle board) your home should be fine. If your in a bathroom or kitchen area hardybacker or cement board is the better choice. I think the advice you got is the best route. Is a PhD visitor considered as a visiting scholar? Yet, I do not want to get sick from the things that need to be done (like new kitchen cabinets and flooring, and new bedroom flooring). Generally, it is better to have a thin but sturdy underlayment. Why does Mister Mxyzptlk need to have a weakness in the comics? I am 63 and want to fix it so I can live in it for the rest of my life. Plywood underlayment is usually knot-free and comes in lightweight 48 sheets with right-angle edges that make it particularly easy to lay. Soft spots frequently occur in bathrooms, under flower pots, below windows, and behind washing machines. | Types Of Plywood | How To Replace Subfloor Under Your Wall. How would I do this over the slats that connect the panels ? Particle board is made of dust and small chips of wood that are glued and pressed together. Decorating Tips Youll want cracks and holes sealed with duct tape and that insulation be used under and around the ducts. From what Ive read it seems you may be able to use a non-toxic paint or sealant over the board to stop the fumes from releasing. Two pictures above show building the cross joist support using traditional joist hangers. I need to find a person who is reasonable in price, since I am a single mother. Crystal Adkins Floors Walls and Ceilings You will install the new belly wrap after you finished with the insulation (while youre under there make sure your duct work is tight). 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. Don't want to be too cheap but I don't want to overspend either. Plywood is highly recommended as an underlayment when your floor requires a smooth and flat surface for installation. Spending an extra $30 can save you a lot more in energy costs in the future. Then, you need to add a vapor barrier on top of the ground, install insulation between your joists, and then install an underbelly wrap. Im thinking well want to lay down a moisture barrier between the flooring and the subfloor, as well as put in real plywood. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. If you are installing a hardwood floor covering, you should utilize a plywood underlayment. Replacing the subfloors can be a time-consuming and expensive process, but you can strengthen your subfloor without removing the particleboard by laying plywood on top of it. Its not impossible to do it yourself but if you have some odd cuts you may have a tough time. What is this layer of material in the kitchen floor? What type of subfloor is in these homes? Of course, if you have any questions feel free to add them in the comments and Ill do my best to help. And now my kitchen floor and under the kitchen sink is sinking. Hello, , Your email address will not be published. A wider shot with some perspective would be great. Follow along as we explore how you can fortify your subfloor with an extra layer of plywood. 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. Our 1978 Hommette single wide has the exact same step-up kitchen! Painting your subfloor is a good idea because it can help seal the cheaper material and protect it from water. Fastener does all the structural work and the glue prevents squeaky floors. Staples should be placed every two inches around the edge of the sheet and every four inches in the interior. This makes installing other flooring, such as hardwood, difficult over a particleboard floor. This is because the materials will expand and contract depending on factors like temperature and humidity. Subfloors come in various materials, including plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), or planks. Very informative and helpful!! Doctor verified this had the same problem! Your floor consists of joists, subfloor, underlayment, and floor covering. Apologies! When the renter left, I decided to remodel the home and sell it. 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. Its a double wide made into a triple wide, by Adding 12ft in the middle of the double wide. Step 1 - Screw existing subfloor material to new supports. Does your flooring bounce or have any bows or bubbles? Thanks. Plywood underlayment is the most common kind of underlayment because it is strong, durable, and you can sand it down to a smooth finish. Should anyone want to install new insulation, any local home improvement store will have the type and size you need.