Suggestions include: A big thank you to all our readers that have asked questions about mobile home subfloors. Also, summers tend to be hot, humid and can generally heat up the roof to be hot enough to cook pancakes. I would like to strip out the kitchen and lower the floor so it would be the same level as the rest of the house for our retirement years. You will want to go to the local mobile home supply store and buy a new one. First, you shouldnt use water-based primers or paints. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls? The level sensors in your feet will pick up very easily on any uneven areas in your new floor. Manufactured Home Industry Since we have high ceilings, he said removing the existing subfloor was unnecessary in his opinion, because the joists themselves arent damaged. All went well until i laid vinyl wood look planks. The joists arent the flat floor layers youre accustomed to seeing inside your home. This is because the materials will expand and contract depending on factors like temperature and humidity. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! Hi Ben, I emailed you. This can lead to severe warping and deterioration of the particleboard panel if exposed to even small amounts of water. It is an easy process and you simply do it one sheet at a time. If the underlayment is too thick, it can shorten the room, especially if you have low ceilings. Ive got absolutely no experience in repairing things like this, but Im very determined! There are some programs but they are hard to get into. Under the shims is the plywood subfloor. Plywood underlayment isnt water-resistant. Income School LLC also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, Ezoic, and other sites. Your floor consists of joists, subfloor, underlayment, and floor covering. If you are installing a hardwood floor covering. Id love to see the end results. are all great floor covering for a kitchen. Home is a big deal and hard work . Well water came pouring out. If you are removing a larger area that covers several joists, the you will want to first cut out the bad areas between each joist, then remove the small piece left on top of the joist(s). When buying a new manufactured home, choosing where you will put it is one of your first decisions to be made. In order to do this, building a box of sister supports inside of the floor joists will be needed. Hi.. We are needing to change our kitchen.. Are cupboards in our kitchen that are built up to the ceiling all wall cupboards & an other is a double ..a pantry style unit plus next to it is a boiler housing unit both floor to ceiling.. are these all supporting walls?.. Required fields are marked *. You could get air bubbles caught in there and the floor could delaminate if that makes sense? DIY Projects It's best to vacuum the particleboard first to help the glue adhere. IU always have to tell my visitors to watch their step since we removed the rails. Thank you so much for your website and helping me have hope. Wed like to put down something very sturdy. mold can develop. I want to take the whole particleboard off and replace it with plywood as it's rotting. Heating and Cooling Ill get it professionally installed but I cant narrow it down. I do know that the cheap laminate floating floor worked just fine over the older pile flooring in our single wide bedroom. Although the subfloor for many manufactured homes is made from pressed board, we like to use a quality plywood for the replacement material. Youll simply rip out the old and lay in the new over the wall lip. I know that Ill need to get a saw at home depot because I only have the basics as far as tools go. Your particle board doesnt look like its in terrible shape. As it turns out, we discovered water damage and so the entire floor needed replacing. Thank you, Barry! Step 4 Secure new subfloor into place with screws along each edge and joist. Even the least amount of dampness causes bowing, warping, rot, and soft spots. If you have any other questions please dont hesitate to contact me via comments or email me directly at crystaladkins!mobilehomeliving.org. I'd suggest patching with 5/8" as needed, then you can laminate over it with 1/2",5/8" or 3/4" That way the extra thickness can stop at the walls. I didnt notice at first cause I had my shoes on but now when I walk in these areas I feel a dip in the flooring in random spots. Plywood underlayment is the most common kind of underlayment because it is strong, durable, and you can sand it down to a smooth finish. What is your opinion on installing tile in a mobile home? The subfloor underneath it is particle board rather than plywood/OSB. Best of luck! Also make sure the seams of the plywood are staggered from the seams of the particleboard. Its not fair but its the truth. Would they be 16 on center or are they farther apart. the flat surface on which you install all other layers. I decided that I wanted to remove it and replace it with plywood. Hope that helps! In our home, the platform kitchen is framed up (theres a frame on top of the original floor joists). If you have any other questions just let me know (Sorry it took so long to reply, I some how overlooked your comment completely it was on a second page and I didnt even realize I had a second page of comments..lol). Or, should I just plan on moving, and hoping someone will have some cash to buy this place (on 1.5 acres) that financial institutions say cannot be financed because its age is over 10 years. I do recommend you homeowners put in marine grade plywood in bathrooms, kitchens and at doors. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. One last question - what kind of plywood would you recommend? This is not a job for someone that has never used a hammer. I see where electrical lines are. After you set your saw you will carefully cut only the subfloor. Im trying to hire someone to lay the new subfloor. If I wrote this before, please for give me:) My mind does not remember well..lol It very well may be more affordable and less hassle for you to spend your money on a house that has been at least partially updated. Roofing Its very plausible that replacing instead of laying a second layer is easier. thanks. What is this layer of material in the kitchen floor? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Step 1 - Screw existing subfloor material to new supports. If so, how do I find them? Sub-flooring should be laid in the same direction as the original, usually opposite the direction of the joists. You only have to replace the subfloor if it is damaged. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can always have a specialist come in to check your subfloor first. Ive read that I should keep the insulation below the wiring and pipes. They actually made it worse by causing a mold issue. easy to install . 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. Joists are usually made from dimensional lumber, you should utilize a plywood underlayment. When the subfloor is getting weak, it feels very spongy or soft when you walk on it. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Copyright 2023, How to Replace Subflooring in a Mobile Home. Surly Straggler vs. other types of steel frames, Follow Up: struct sockaddr storage initialization by network format-string. This article will help you choose the right contractor without getting ripped off. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this comment, Robert! You can re-roof your home at a fairly affordable price. Rooms with more substantial furniture will need a thicker subfloor. You can learn more about mobile home plumbing repair here. 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. Hmmmcan you send me a photo of your subflooring and maybe get a measurement of the thickness. Its reduces heat loss and helps add structural security to the home (walls do too, of course). When installing new plumbing in an old (1979) mobile home, can it be done from underneath the trailer, or does it need to be done by removing the flooring? Manufactured Home Model Tours Im searching for info on ceiling replacement. Youll want to find 3 different companies to get appraisals to get a good idea. For bathroom or kitchens consider marine-grade plywood. The most recommended subfloor material is 5/8 plywood. I have seen where vapor barriers are installed immediately below the subflooring and elsewhere (in replacement videos) where it is merely placed on the ground without one under the subflooring. Plywood is the best idea if laying hardwood or tile. Thanks so much for reading MHL! Practically every older manufactured home (15+ years old) Ive ever dealt with has some kind of water damage in the floor. Fastener does all the structural work and the glue prevents squeaky floors. Your web site has been the most helpful site Ive ever found. Joists act more like beams, supporting the weight of the floor, and they are integral structural pieces of your home. What should I use to overlay a particle board subfloor in my mobile home? I love the layout and really want to try and save it. Does your flooring bounce or have any bows or bubbles? Still, if you have a soft spot or bowing in any area its bestto replace the subflooring in a mobile home quickly before it causes further damage. If your house has a concrete slab and no joists, then the slab is considered your subfloor. I really need to get it fixed because it feels like the toilet is going to fall through the floor at any time. Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? Secure all of the original existing subfloor to the new supports with glue and screws. Bed and Bath To replace flooring in a mobile home you will need experience in construction. Glad you are remodeling and updating your home. If your joists are spaced between 16 and 19.2 inches apart, you should utilize, and OSB. As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living! Purchasing a new manufactured home is very different from the process of buying a motor vehicle. There are basically 2 ways to do this:Installing Cross Supports Using Joist Hangersif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'mobilehomefriend_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',702,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mobilehomefriend_com-leader-2-0');Building Cross Joist Supports Without Using Joist hangers. When you have water damage in mobile homes, usually they have particle board and needs to be removed completely. At each seam, where one piece of plywood ends and another begins, you will need to reinforce under it. What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? Particleboard, on the other hand, has not improved . As far as legal protection, I honestly dont know. I love it right now but I know it will be an issue as we age. Cork vs. Rubber Underlayment: Which One Is Better? The board will continue to rot under the plywood if you just try to cover it over. Of course, every situation is different but make sure you calculate the project both ways to see which would be more affordable. Even in newer homes, where particle board wasnt used, flooring can become warped or softeneddue toa small leak or routine encounters with water. Do you have any suggestions for rookie This technique reduces splitting when edges are nailed and improves dimensional stability, creating stronger sheets all around . Installation and Setup Im looking to replicate the terrazzo style, but was concerned if it would still crack if the home was on a permanent foundation? In addition to expansion and shrinkage of the individual wood chips, the resin is also vulnerable to moisture attack. Underlayment goes on top of the subfloor, and you dont necessarily need it for structural integrity. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? The first three provide structural support for your house, and the floor covering is purely for aesthetic appeal. Kitchens Plywood underlayment is the most common kind of underlayment because it is strong, durable, and you can sand it down to a smooth finish. Here is a picture of what it looks like: Wider view of what's being replaced (don't mind the mess :)). Did any DOS compatibility layers exist for any UNIX-like systems before DOS started to become outmoded? In this article, we will take you through the anatomy of your floor to help give you a better idea of the importance of the plywood placement. My wife and me recently down sized and purchased a mobile home these video Coastal Decor Homeimprovement.com has a great list of all the best primers and paints for painting your mobile homes subfloor. Most every home with particle board subflooring will need to have their subfloors replaced eventually. Please share any info you may have. If you can splurge and get the .99 or $1.39 per square foot that will be an even higher quality. 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. All I really know about insulation is that you want the thick pink stuff under the subfloors and over the belly wrap, pretty much the same with foam insulation board. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Always install the smooth side facing upward. Anything you can recommend will be appreciated! Replacing strips between subfloor and underlayment, Pulling up fiber board to install new tile flooring. Mobile Home Parks Carpets will only absorb the moisture and ultimately harm the floor covering. Its hard to mess up a project like this. I was told to insulate between each floor joist and reinstall be blatter bag underneath and put plastic on the entire Ground underneath the mobile home. There were a few holes and a number of soft spots throughout the entire mobile home. Oriented strand board (or OSB board), is an engineered wood made of pressurized wood strands and adhesives that offers exceptional strength and performance. As long as you are getting thick high-quality plywood or even OSB (anything except MDF / particle board) your home should be fine. First, it is not recommended to install tile across the marriage line of a double wide. Thanks. Mobile Home Friend, LLC was started in 2015 by Chuck O'Dell and Scott O'Dell, a father/son real estate team. 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). 1990 double wide? 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. I was thinking of pulling up vinyl planking and put plywood on top of original pressboard subflooring (as long as its not rotted). Best of luck! Replacing subfloors in a mobile home IS a huge undertaking. Patching small gouges? This week in our Ask a Mobile Home Expert series, we are covering questions about mobile home subfloors. If you space the joists farther apart than that, you will want inch plywood and 1 inch OSB. Does this mean we take out the subfloor from the living room and replace it with plywood? cost for removing a sunken lift floor centre of living space in older trailer. A week ago we decided to remove the large soaking tub (never Used), upon taking out the frame it sat on we have discovered black mold on the floor and wall the smell is strong. We have laminate flooring in the dining room on one side of the kitchen and in alcove on the other side that leads to the back door is our laundry room with nice vinyl tiles. The H will be built before installing into the floor. Help! At this time, I presume the Bottom Barrier (Belly Board), ductwork and fiberglass insulation are in acceptable condition. She earned a BA in communications from Jacksonville State University. I am doing this (some of it myself) hoping to find someone to help and not charge a arm and leg. How do I align things in the following tabular environment? In reference to insulation and subfloors, we have a 2003 Redman 24X48 DBLWide, and weve had to pull up some floors. Replacing the entire floor is not usually necessary. Hi Crystal, I bought my 1987 double wide here in Rochester, WA a little over a year ago. As for we are wanting to DIY our bathroom with new double shower and toilet. Now that youve cutthe sub-flooring around the edges, you will need to cut them down so you can remove them easier. Cut Damaged Subfloor: Set a circular saw to the proper depth, so it cuts just through the thickness of the particle board, and make the cuts. Particle board subfloor - cover with additional plywood/osb for luxury vinyl plank flooring? As always, thanks so much for reading Mobile Home Living! Avoid pressed wood all together (OMB). What questions do I ask to make sure they are they best for the job? Is it possible there may be some agencies available who do this type of repair for disabled seniors at a discount? Plywood is stronger and more durable than particle board, as it is made with cross-grain texture and stronger adhesives. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. For many years, mobile homes have been constructed withsub-flooring made of particle board which is made from sawdust and glue that essentially acts like a sponge when it gets wet. Id love to see photos when you get it all finished! Coastal Decor Noted from the sub-area at three Before the pandemic, the manufactured Buying And Installing A New Manufactured Home (Part 2) - Finding The Right Location. One of our readers installed insulating foam board under their mobile home and was kind enough to give us a full step by step guide. In another recent home that we did, there had been a leak in the laundry room and the subfloor was damaged in that room, as well as into the hallway and bathroom. So sorry to hear you are having these problems! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Id love to share your project with our readers, it could help a lot of people. I bet its gorgeous! I think the advice you got is the best route. However, if you anticipate moisture on the carpet, such as from pet potty accidents or children spilling drinks, the particleboard under the carpet could be ruined. that share the same interest. If its healthy, youll likely want to leave the subflooring under the walls alone. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Screwing the subfloor down tighter against the joists usually helps but if the subfloor is bowed or doesnt have enough support in an area it may need to be shimmed between the floor and the joist. You can also buy a ceiling kit at Lowes that is in different patterns such as shiplap. Just do the best you can to get that short end sealed. Now I have a much bigger problem where larger areas of the subfloor needs is be replace. No matter where you live, it rains! I have water damage to my floors. That was also the warmest room in the house and I think it was from that extra layer of the carpet. Home will never be moved only torn down. I have replaced subfloor 2 times and going for a 3rd in 5 yrs, due to condensation between the subfloor and vinal floating floor. Before embarking on your DIY flooring journey, its essential to understand the different components of flooring. Id really like to be a part of community where I can get suggestions from other experienced individuals Cross supports are needed between the floor joists to support subfloor that has been cut. Floors Walls and Ceilings Im not really familiar with epoxy flooring systems but I do not recommend crossing the marriage line with any kind of tile though because of shifting possibilities. Your floor covering is what is visible to you and your guests. If its in a bathroom, its probably best you go with a thick vinyl that has some protection against water will help protect your floor. I don't have enough of the particle board down yet to know whether or not they're glued or just 'floating'. I also was going to have laminate hardwood installed today in my mobile home living room and was told the subfloor is too weak. This article can give you some good ideas for help. Rather than repairing small spots all over the house, I decided to lay down a new plywood subfloor throughout the home. The subfloors of many older manufactured homes tend to be made of dense particle board. Overlay With Plywood If you have obvious problems with the particleboard such as swelling - very common if the particleboard has become wet - it's a good idea to overlay it with thin. Once it is all removed, we can lay new subfloor down (assuming the bottom joists are healthy). You can use the old floor covering as underlayment as long as it is level and smooth. We just purchased a 1999 2448 double wide home and we plan to remodel the whole thing one room at a time. If your home has particleboard subfloors instead of plywood subfloors, you may want the added durability plywood has to offer. Manufactured homes can settle over time which is why it is recommended to do are-levelingcheck every 2-3 years. Tile is a more permanent choice and can be a real burden if you have to remove it for any reason. Is hiring a general contractor good or is there some that specialize in MH repair? Again, thank you for a wonderful blogsite. Some builders do things a bit differently though I cant imagine why they felt the need to glue and staple so much. any suggestions or ideas would be helpful>. Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess Ill just sum it up what I had written and say, Im thoroughly enjoying your blog. Thank you for catching that, Milton! Like frosting a cake, pick up a small amount of mud from your container (usually a deep pan about 18" wide, 3 inches deep and 3-4 inches wide) and apply to the wall is a sweeping motion. How do I deal with Particle Board Subfloors and Hardwood Flooring? I have no insulation or blatter bag underneath very simular to a crawl space home. Well look in the next section how to prepare the joists for supports to support the new subfloor regardless of the shape. 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. To do entire 1560 sq ft is an expense. blog writers? If youre looking to install new floors, installing a plywood underlayment can be an easy and fun DIY project! How to Add Plywood It's best to vacuum the particleboard first to help the glue adhere. So far, its worked great. Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated as I clearly have no idea what I am doing. Is this true? Lighting I am now a retired senior with various health problems, including a sensitivity to chemicals of all sorts. First, the hanger is secured to the the floor joists. 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. http://www.care.com/housekeeping-creating-a-toxin-free-home-p1017-q14637.html. Please consider taking some photos of the process for me! I have had some water issues and the last crew I hired didnt remove the damaged flooring first. The pan that was under it had a crack so the water seeped through. I havent had any water stains, leak issues, scratches, or discoloration and we only paid .79 square foot! Additions There are holes in the floors in different room, so I know the roof would need fix. 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. Should I work on the walls first or floors first. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. The plywood underlayment helps cover up any dings or imperfections in the subfloor, allowing you to install floor coverings with ease. When we finished, the floor felt very solid throughout. I have a manufactured home purchased through a HUD sale three yrs ago. Youll probably need to go under the home to get the squeak out. Isherwood most folks don't know the difference between particle board and OSB. I have a 2010 double wide, my hot water heater leaked. Thanks for the info Crystal, very helpful. Can luxury vinyl planking be placed over this? basically how much to replace a living room15x24. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. It's a popular choice for flooring, wall and roof sheathing, structural panels, and much more. Thanks for the help. I don't think you need to hire someone. You should be able to find a suitable siding at a good price, sheet metal comes in all kinds of different colors these days. Was the project done within the budget? The joists arent the flat floor layers youre accustomed to seeing inside your home. Particle board is made of dust and small chips of wood that are glued and pressed together. The main reason I say this is that the subfloor usually ends up under the wall framing and trying to remove or replace it can only be done by cutting and rematching the height. The standard particle board subfloor that is so common in mobile homes soaks up moisture. If your existing floor is in fair shape both plywood and OSB staple or screw down nicely for living rooms, bedrooms, and halls. Yes maam. The previous owners built a porch right up to the mobile home and every time it rains or ice melts the water goes under the wall . You will use the measurement to set your circular saw to the proper height. Thanks in advance. He says that one of the most satisfying part of renovating the mobile homes is creating beautiful, affordable housing that people are proud to own, and call home! From what I understand, all manufacturers have to pay a certain amount toward this program so that people can get help. I am buying a 1983 mobile home. Copyright 2023, 4 Popular Questions about Mobile Home Subfloors, We hope you have enjoyed these questions about mobile home subfloors and our Ask a Mobile Home Expert series. You want to give water a place to go away from the home. And what is the best flooring in you opinion? However, a few years ago I had water-damaged areas replaced in bathroom and under two windows in living room and bedroom. Plywood or OSB subflooring is installed over joists, the horizontal wood members that make up the skeleton of a wood floor frame. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. A thick subfloor can make one rooms floor higher than the next, making it virtually impossible to create a smooth transition. Those that recommend patching mat be seeing that the thickness of the two boards will cause interference with your interior doors. Id get a pro to take a look and see what he would do and how much it would cost. if you cant replace the subfloor yourself this article will at least show you what to expect when you hire someone else to do it. If you are set on "waterproofing" the particleboard I would use a shower waterproofing product like redguard. Ive replaced floors, but putting batts of insulation down on the saggy plastic doesnt seem a good idea. You can read it here, 10 Affordable and Green Tips For Remodeling Your Mobile Home. You can buy the replacement ceiling panels at your local mobile home supply store. I have one mobile home that I purchased as a rental about 2 years ago. You may want to consider installing a waterproof membrane over the insulation before adding the siding (some homes have it, some dont but its always a good idea). Then the cross support is cut to length, dropped into the joist hangers, and finally attached to the hangers using screws. The trick is to call their previous projects and see how the process went. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. AB Marine-Grade Plywood has seven laminated plywood layers versus the typical 5 layer 3/4" plywood. Other than that, learn what SEO is and how to write for the search engines. Many thanks! Ive done this job before in a mobile home and in a few stick frame houses due to pet damage (everywhere) and water damage in bathrooms. The different subfloors depend on the age of the house and the location. Youll need to Google search your location and the words mobile home supply or try one of the online suppliers (look on the right side of this article for a link to our affiliates). Replacing particle board subfloor with plywood. First, be sure that the floor is completely clean from all nails, screws, glue, staples, carpet fibers, dust, and thinset.