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HOME IMPROVEMENT

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INSTALLING UNDERLAYMENT

Using Cement Board

I'm replacing the tile around my bathtub. What's the best backer for the job?
Cement board is the perfect product to use under tile; it is superior to plaster or drywall, even green water-resistant drywall. In fact, cement board is required by many local building codes for use behind tile in tub and shower areas. Some codes require that you install it above the tub to a minimum height of 18 inches. We suggest you go to 5 feet.

Cement board is made of an aggregated cement slurry with a layer of fiberglass mesh embedded into each side. It is very stable, water-resistant, and hard, yet not too difficult to cut. It is sold at home centers and lumberyards in 3x5-foot or 3x6-foot sizes, which work extremely well for surrounding standard tubs.

Cement board has a smooth side and a rough side. Keep the smooth side out if you're using organic mastic. Keep the rough side out if you're planning to use thinset adhesive.

Working with cement board is not difficult. To cut it, score it with a utility knife along a straightedge, then snap it along the edge of a workbench or 2x4, as you would with drywall. To cut holes for the faucets, drill a series of small holes around the outline of the outlet, then tap the cutout with a hammer. Use a rasp to clean up cuts or to enlarge holes.

To fasten the cement board to the studs, hold it up about '/i inch above the tub surface and use galvanized roofing nails or 1 1/4-inch galvanized screws. Be sure to tape the seams with self-adhesive fiberglass mesh. Cover the tape with thinset mortar or organic mastic adhesive.

Thinset or Mortar Bed

My brother and I are having an ongoing feud. Can you lay tile over a double-layer (3/4-inch and 1/2-inch) subfloor using thinset adhesive, or should you use a concrete bed over the subfloor?
You can install ceramic tile directly to a plywood subfloor using thinset adhesive, but not all manufacturers recommend that their products be used this way. Check the label carefully or contact the manufacturer directly before you buy the mortar.

The preferred method of installing ceramic tile is in a reinforced concrete bed at least 1 1/2 inches thick over a 5/8-inch subfloor. However, installing ceramic tile in a concrete bed is a pro job. A do-it-yourself alternative would be to use cement board over plywood screwed to joists with galvanized screws.

Filling Floor Dips

There are some rolling valleys and peaks across my kitchen floor. Do I have to even it out first, even if I use an underlayment?
If you don't even out the dips in your floor, the tiles will feel uneven underfoot and your base and wall tile will be out of whack.

To begin, use a 4-foot level to find the high point in the room and then look for the dips. As a rule of thumb, dips greater than 1/8 inch over a 10-foot span are unacceptable.

Large dips (1/4 to 3/4 inch) should be corrected with a self-leveling compound (available at ceramic tile supply stores). To use the compound, simply mix up a batch, pour it onto the floor, and let it dry.

To fill small dips, here's a trick from the pros. Bond layers of 15-pound roofing felt to the subfloor with latex-cement mortar adhesive. Spread the adhesive mortar evenly with a 1/4-inch notched trowel, then press a wide sheet of felt into it. Set the felt firmly into the mortar with the smooth edge of the trowel. Add a second, smaller sheet on top to fill the deeper area. Let the layers harden overnight; then proceed to cover them with underlayment.

The Thinnest Tile Base

We want to tile our entryway, but the front door clears the floor by only 1/2 inch. What kind of underlayment is thin enough so that the tile won't interfere with the door?
You're wise to plan ahead. A too-high tile floor could not only force you to trim your door and rebuild your threshold, it could also create a toe-stubber where it abuts carpet and a awkwardly short first step where it meets a stairway.

As long as the subfloor is at least 3/4 inch thick and you stiffen the joists with blocking every 16 inches, thin (1/4-inch-thick) cement board is a good underlayment choice. To attach the cement board to the subfloor, spread latex-modified thinset adhesive on the floor with a 1/4-inch square-notched trowel. The rough side of the cement board should face out. Fasten down the cement board with 1 1/2-inch galvanized roofing nails or special flathead screws (available from tile dealers) every 6 inches in all directions. The seams should be offset from those of the subfloor, covered with fiberglass tape, and filled with thinset adhesive when you lay the tile.

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TITLE: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture Store

Home Improvement Category: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself

Shopping Mall: Home Improvement offers do-it-yourself Home Improvement guide and store, Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself Store

Home Improvement Topics: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself