Best Method to Level a Wooden Bathroom Floor for Tile Installation
When preparing your wooden bathroom floor for tile installation, the key is ensuring it is flat rather than perfectly level.
Removing Imperfections
To achieve a flat surface, the initial steps involve thorough preparation. First, remove the existing flooring. Removing residual adhesives and mortar is crucial to ensure a clean surface. Any squishy areas, which are typically indicative of degraded wooden boards, must be cut out and replaced.
Next, pull the toilet and tub for easier access to the floor. Once prepared, ensure the floor is clean and free of debris and residues. Any low spots or cracks should be filled with concrete patching compound. It's important to note that a perfectly level floor is not necessary. However, the floor must be flat to ensure the tiles line up properly.
Using the Right Tools
When checking the floor's condition, use a straight edge rather than a level. The focus is on ensuring that the floor is flat, not necessarily level. If the floor slopes across the entire room, or if there are significant dips, it's best to identify the underlying reason for the slope. This could involve adding floor jacks to correct sagging joists or sistering new ones to replace inadequate joists.
Self-Leveling Cement
If the floor is not sloped across the entire room and you need to address only a few shallow dips, self-leveling cement is a practical solution. The process involves pouring self-leveling cement and using a trowel or broom to spread it evenly. The thickness of the cement should be appropriate to correct the dips without excessively increasing the weight on the joists.
Advanced Leveling Techniques
If the floor slopes across the entire room or the dips are significant, consider more advanced leveling techniques. Adding floor jacks or sistering new joists to correct the slope below the floor is often more effective. If using self-leveling cement, be mindful of the maximum thickness, as using too much can exceed the joist's weight capacity. In such cases, adding shims between the joist and the subfloor might be an option, but it may be challenging and might not be as effective as correcting the underlying cause.
By following these detailed steps, you can create a flat, level surface that is perfectly suited for tile installation in your wooden bathroom floor.