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Home > Archive > Home Repair forum > June 2007 > Old particle board subfloor
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Old particle board subfloor
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| STraveler12001@yahoo.com 2007-06-13, 3:25 am |
| So, I want to redo the floor in a cheap little cabin. The subfloor is
particle board, covered with linoleum tile, subsequently carpeted.
I've removed the carpet and tile (shingle rake was helpful for that).
The particle board has gotten wet in some places and softened and
gotten lumpy, and doesn't smell very good. I'm thinking of trying to
seal it with some sort of paint or varnish or something, before
putting a plank floor on. Something that would soak in and harden and
restore some integrity to the soft spots, and seal in the musty
smell. Anyone have an idea as to what might work, or general advice
on dealing with particle board subfloors?
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| Edwin Pawlowski 2007-06-13, 3:25 am |
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<STraveler12001@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1181703073.757348.288600@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> So, I want to redo the floor in a cheap little cabin. The subfloor is
> particle board, covered with linoleum tile, subsequently carpeted.
> I've removed the carpet and tile (shingle rake was helpful for that).
> The particle board has gotten wet in some places and softened and
> gotten lumpy, and doesn't smell very good. I'm thinking of trying to
> seal it with some sort of paint or varnish or something, before
> putting a plank floor on. Something that would soak in and harden and
> restore some integrity to the soft spots, and seal in the musty
> smell. Anyone have an idea as to what might work, or general advice
> on dealing with particle board subfloors?
>
It is already crap. Replace it. Any shortcut now will be a big deal later.
Could be moldy if it stinks.
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| Eric9822 2007-06-13, 3:25 am |
| On Jun 12, 7:51 pm, STraveler12...@yahoo.com wrote:
> So, I want to redo the floor in a cheap little cabin. The subfloor is
> particle board, covered with linoleum tile, subsequently carpeted.
> I've removed the carpet and tile (shingle rake was helpful for that).
> The particle board has gotten wet in some places and softened and
> gotten lumpy, and doesn't smell very good. I'm thinking of trying to
> seal it with some sort of paint or varnish or something, before
> putting a plank floor on. Something that would soak in and harden and
> restore some integrity to the soft spots, and seal in the musty
> smell. Anyone have an idea as to what might work, or general advice
> on dealing with particle board subfloors?
I agree with Edwin. Rip it out and replace it. Better to do it now
before you invest a lot of money putting new flooring over it only to
have to rip it out later.
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| Tony Hwang 2007-06-13, 3:25 am |
| Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> <STraveler12001@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1181703073.757348.288600@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> It is already crap. Replace it. Any shortcut now will be a big deal later.
> Could be moldy if it stinks.
>
>
Hi,
Very, Very Ditto!
Do it right and forget it long time.
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| Paul MR 2007-06-13, 3:25 am |
| Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> <STraveler12001@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1181703073.757348.288600@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
> It is already crap. Replace it. Any shortcut now will be a big deal later.
> Could be moldy if it stinks.
>
>
Is it adequate simply to replace the soft lumpy section (about 6 sq. ft.
near the sink in my case) or do you advise replacing the whole
underlayment? What material is best to use under vinyl tiles instead of
particleboard?
Paul in San Francisco
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| Meat Plow 2007-06-13, 9:25 am |
| On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 02:57:16 +0000, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>
> <STraveler12001@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1181703073.757348.288600@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
> It is already crap. Replace it. Any shortcut now will be a big deal later.
> Could be moldy if it stinks.
Yeh I would have to agree. Get it replaced now before you regret it later.
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| Edwin Pawlowski 2007-06-13, 1:25 pm |
|
"Paul MR" <pmr921@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> Is it adequate simply to replace the soft lumpy section (about 6 sq. ft.
> near the sink in my case) or do you advise replacing the whole
> underlayment? What material is best to use under vinyl tiles instead of
> particleboard?
>
> Paul in San Francisco
I'd use plywood. Yes, just cut out any bad spots. glue and screw the
replacement. Glue helps prevent squeaks later.
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| Norminn 2007-06-13, 1:25 pm |
| STraveler12001@yahoo.com wrote:
> So, I want to redo the floor in a cheap little cabin. The subfloor is
> particle board, covered with linoleum tile, subsequently carpeted.
> I've removed the carpet and tile (shingle rake was helpful for that).
> The particle board has gotten wet in some places and softened and
> gotten lumpy, and doesn't smell very good. I'm thinking of trying to
> seal it with some sort of paint or varnish or something, before
> putting a plank floor on. Something that would soak in and harden and
> restore some integrity to the soft spots, and seal in the musty
> smell. Anyone have an idea as to what might work, or general advice
> on dealing with particle board subfloors?
>
I have tried to repair damaged particle board on cabinets and counter
tops - it is trash. Once wet, in my experience, it is a pile of
sawdust. I would tear it up and replace - moisture barrier and marine
grade ply? I'm no expert on plywood, but have had my share of floods,
damp conditions, etc. If the cabin is without heat or AC for periods of
time, I would also try to finish the ply to keep moisture out. Top off
your work by caulking around perimeter of the floor, so the next
leak/flood is contained. Enjoy :o)
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| scott21230@gmail.com 2007-06-13, 1:25 pm |
| If I were made dictator, I'd execute anyone who used particleboard for
floors. Rip it out. All of it. And replace it with plywood.
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| scott21230@gmail.com 2007-06-13, 1:25 pm |
| > I'm no expert on plywood, but have had my share of floods,
> damp conditions, etc. If the cabin is without heat or AC for periods of
> time, I would also try to finish the ply to keep moisture out.
I would also coat the plywood with oil based polyeurethane before
putting the flloring material on it. Then again, I'd do the same with
a roof.
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| DerbyDad03 2007-06-13, 1:25 pm |
| On 12 Jun, 22:51, STraveler12...@yahoo.com wrote:
> So, I want to redo the floor in a cheap little cabin. The subfloor is
> particle board, covered with linoleum tile, subsequently carpeted.
> I've removed the carpet and tile (shingle rake was helpful for that).
> The particle board has gotten wet in some places and softened and
> gotten lumpy, and doesn't smell very good. I'm thinking of trying to
> seal it with some sort of paint or varnish or something, before
> putting a plank floor on. Something that would soak in and harden and
> restore some integrity to the soft spots, and seal in the musty
> smell. Anyone have an idea as to what might work, or general advice
> on dealing with particle board subfloors?
Devil's Advocate checking in...
Define "cheap".
Determine the cost of replacing the entire floor with plywood,
finishing the plywood and caulking around the perimeter and compare it
to the value of the cabin itself. Is it worth it?
Consider the condition of the rest of the cabin. Are there other parts
of the cabin that are also poorly built and will need repairing in the
near future? If cost effective, it might make sense to include those
"uprades" as part of this project. If not, it might not make sense to
put extra money into upgrading the entire floor in an otherwise crappy
building.
Consider the construction method of the cabin. Are the exterior walls
built on top on the particle board subfloor and if so, what is the
condition of the particle board under the exterior walls? Will you be
replacing the interior floor section, while the integrity of the
building itself is in question because the floor under the walls is
rotten?
At the highest level, I agree with everyone else that a particle board
subfloor sucks and that it should all be replaced with plywood. On the
other hand, the cost of the new floor has to be weighed against the
value of the building (before and after) to see if it makes sense.
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| On Jun 13, 8:52 am, DerbyDad03 <teamarr...@eznet.net> wrote:
> On 12 Jun, 22:51, STraveler12...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
> Devil's Advocate checking in...
>
> Define "cheap".
>
> Determine the cost of replacing the entire floor with plywood,
> finishing the plywood and caulking around the perimeter and compare it
> to the value of the cabin itself. Is it worth it?
>
> Consider the condition of the rest of the cabin. Are there other parts
> of the cabin that are also poorly built and will need repairing in the
> near future? If cost effective, it might make sense to include those
> "uprades" as part of this project. If not, it might not make sense to
> put extra money into upgrading the entire floor in an otherwise crappy
> building.
>
> Consider the construction method of the cabin. Are the exterior walls
> built on top on the particle board subfloor and if so, what is the
> condition of the particle board under the exterior walls? Will you be
> replacing the interior floor section, while the integrity of the
> building itself is in question because the floor under the walls is
> rotten?
>
> At the highest level, I agree with everyone else that a particle board
> subfloor sucks and that it should all be replaced with plywood. On the
> other hand, the cost of the new floor has to be weighed against the
> value of the building (before and after) to see if it makes sense.
If I was worried about moisture, I'd go cement board. But if the OP
just replaced the particle board that was bad, and used sheet vinyl
instead of vinyl tiles, just making sure the edges were well glued, I
doubt he see any more problems.
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| Jeff Wisnia 2007-06-13, 5:25 pm |
| STraveler12001@yahoo.com wrote:
> So, I want to redo the floor in a cheap little cabin. The subfloor is
> particle board, covered with linoleum tile, subsequently carpeted.
> I've removed the carpet and tile (shingle rake was helpful for that).
> The particle board has gotten wet in some places and softened and
> gotten lumpy, and doesn't smell very good. I'm thinking of trying to
> seal it with some sort of paint or varnish or something, before
> putting a plank floor on. Something that would soak in and harden and
> restore some integrity to the soft spots, and seal in the musty
> smell. Anyone have an idea as to what might work, or general advice
> on dealing with particle board subfloors?
>
The local radio commercials for Reeds Ferry Sheds:
http://www.reedsferry.com/
Claim that unlike the Big Box sheds, their sheds don't use particle
board floors, because when particle board gets damp it becomes........
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Fall apart-icle board!
(Worth a drum roll and rim shot, eh?)
Jeff
--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.
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| barry@sme-online.com 2007-06-13, 5:25 pm |
| On Jun 12, 10:51 pm, STraveler12...@yahoo.com wrote:
> So, I want to redo the floor in a cheap little cabin. The subfloor is
> particle board, covered with linoleum tile, subsequently carpeted.
> I've removed the carpet and tile (shingle rake was helpful for that).
> The particle board has gotten wet in some places and softened and
> gotten lumpy, and doesn't smell very good. I'm thinking of trying to
> seal it with some sort of paint or varnish or something, before
> putting a plank floor on. Something that would soak in and harden and
> restore some integrity to the soft spots, and seal in the musty
> smell. Anyone have an idea as to what might work, or general advice
> on dealing with particle board subfloors?
>From your description, it seems you do _not_ have subflooring,
but floor of particle-board. In this context, linoleum, carpet,
whatever
does not count as flooring.
3/4" of plywood/whatever for the only flooring would be kinda
cheap and bouncy. I'd go for nothing less than double-layer.
J
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| sylvan butler 2007-06-13, 8:25 pm |
| On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:31:14 GMT, Paul MR <pmr921@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Is it adequate simply to replace the soft lumpy section (about 6 sq. ft.
That's what I'd do. I strongly recommend putting a sealer over the
entire subfloor to minimize these problems. I used Zinser's BIN
(pigmented shellac) but polyurethane is probably better.
> underlayment? What material is best to use under vinyl tiles instead of
> particleboard?
I prefer plywood, but under vinyl many people prefer the smoothness of
particleboard. NOTE that you are going to need to fill the entire floor
so it is perfectly smooth -- no nailholes, chips, stuck on bumps, etc.
sdb
--
What's seen on your screen? http://pcscreenwatch.com
sdbuse1 on mailhost bigfoot.com
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