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Repairing or Removing the Existing Floor

This story shows you methods for repairing and leveling a hardwood floor before tiling.

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Cut damaged area Enlarge Image

Step 1

Use a framing square and carpenter's pencil to outline the edge of the damaged area. Set a circular saw to the depth of the hardwood flooring, start the saw with only the front edge of the saw plate resting on the floor, and lower the blade to cut. Repeat along each line.

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Anchor loose flooring Enlarge Image

Securing loose planks or strips

Floor tile requires a level, firm surface. Anchor any loose hardwood flooring securely. Walk the floor and mark areas that feel spongy or loose. Fasten loose boards at their edges with ringshank or spiral shank nails, or use a cordless drill and drive 1-3/8-inch coated screws through the hardwood and into the subfloor. Predrill the holes to avoid splitting the material.

Pry up flooring Enlarge Image
Step 2

Chisel out enough flooring to let you insert a pry bar under the flooring. Tap the pry bar under the strips or planks at a nail and pry up. Repeat the process at each nail location within the damaged area. Dispose of the flooring you have removed.

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Reduce the Elevation

The combined thickness of new tile and adhesive installed on an existing hardwood floor can raise the height of the floor by more than 3/4 inch. Such an elevation causes awkward or unsafe transitions between the new floor and the adjoining surface.

When laying tile over hardwood flooring, you can ease such abrupt transitions by using 1/4-inch cement backerboard instead of the usual 1/2-inch thickness. The stability of the hardwood when properly prepared and the subfloor underneath will provide sufficient strength and stiffness for any floor, tile or stone.

Screw patch in place Enlarge Image
Step 3

Measure the area you have removed and cut a piece of 3/4-inch exterior-grade plywood to the same dimensions. Fit the plywood into the recess, and using a cordless drill, drive 1-3/8-inch coated screws at 3- to 4-inch intervals through the plywood and into the subfloor. Countersink the screws slightly. If your hardwood floor has been refinished, the patch might be thicker than the floor. Use a belt sander to sand the patch until it's level with the flooring.

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Comments (1)
6312820245
lddangelo wrote:

Can I tile over a vinyl sheet floor without applying backer board?

1/17/2010 04:51:42 PM Report Abuse
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