Subfloor Preparation For Tile

An uncoupling membrane does exactly what the name says.

Subfloor preparation for tile.

Wood building materials contract and expand at different rates from natural humidity and exposure. If the subfloor flexes you can usually add more plywood and if it s moisture damaged you can replace the damaged sections. For this reason ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be considered somewhat delicate despite the inherent strength of the material. Preparing a subfloor is an essential step for installing floor tile it provides a level surface that will allow the tiles to properly stay in place.

A plywood subfloor must be structurally sound and able to support the installation. Product when people think of flooring for bathrooms and basements the subfloor has to be considered. You can repair cracked and damaged concrete with mortar and by using a grinder to flatten out ridges and bumps. Proper preparation of the subfloor is critical to the success of your ceramic tile installation.

Tile floors are heavy and tile is a hard material. This guide will show you how to prepare your subfloor for a tile installation project to ensure that it s fit to support ceramic or porcelain tile. A tight unmoving bond between mortar and subfloor causes cracking. It uncouples or releases the bond between plywood and tile mortar allowing each surface to move independently of each other.

Because of issues of moisture movement and adhesion ceramic tile will work well with certain types of subfloor underlayment systems and can go dramatically wrong with other subfloor materials. However installing tile over a plywood floor is never recommended. It will break or dislodge if the surface bends under the load. In general the procedure for preliminary preparation of the subfloor involves the following steps.

Even though tile is the quot go to quot. Cement backer board can provide a solid flat surface to install tiles on if you have a wood subfloor. In this video learn how to prepare a wood or concrete subfloor for tile including such steps as checking for dips installing backerboard applying primer and thinset pouring liquid underlayment and when to use osb or exterior grade plywood. The subfloor must be free of moisture damage including rot and sponginess and must be securely fastened to the joists and squeak free don t lay tiles on a concrete slab with cracks that appear to be spreading or irregularities that prevent you from leveling it.

Yes tile is great over slabs and in areas where moisture is present. In addition uncoupling tile membranes prevent moisture from infiltrating surfaces below. It simply won t last.