Perhaps the screws are not strong enough? Bad toilet rings and damaged water supply lines are other common source of leaks in mobile homes. Ive got absolutely no experience in repairing things like this, but Im very determined! Sorry, I cant help much. These are screwed into the existing floor joists. Where should I begin? Manufactured Home Industry You can add a layer between your subfloor and your floor covering, known as an underlayment. I doubt there would be any way to go under the home and repair it correctly. Its very plausible that replacing instead of laying a second layer is easier. Kitchens Thanks so much for reading MHL! Ive seen special screws at Lowes specifically for bowed subfloors so you may want to look into that. Why does Mister Mxyzptlk need to have a weakness in the comics? To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. I cannot do the work. Nails won't grip the particle board, but screws do a better job. How to Put Thick Plywood Over a Sub Floor in a Mobile Home Laundry and Entry Ways if you are laying tile you need to consider upgrading the subfloor to plywood that doesnt soak up water so quickly. Does your flooring bounce or have any bows or bubbles? Marine grade plywood is a smart choice for kitchens and baths regardless if you are planning to tile. Mobile Home Friend, LLC was started in 2015 by Chuck O'Dell and Scott O'Dell, a father/son real estate team. Your floor covering is what is visible to you and your guests. Since were redoing the kitchen with new cabinets, too, I was thinking more wood appearance would be overkill. If your house has a concrete slab and no joists, then the slab is considered your subfloor. Installing plywood underlayment is a relatively straightforward undertaking. Replacing particle board subfloor with plywood Paspolini.studio What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? If the issue has been fixed and the floor is now dry I dont see any issue with trying to tighten it down. If you can afford water resistant marine plywood for your kitchen, laundry, and bath that would be a good idea. Im also wanting to do the floors as the carpet seems to just generate stains, and the ceramic tile in kitchen/dining/family rooms cracked due to give in the flooring. In addition to expansion and shrinkage of the individual wood chips, the resin is also vulnerable to moisture attack. Heres a video showing how to use a circular saw to cut out subflooring in a mobile home: If your flooring is 3/4 set your circular saw to that and follow the perimeter along the edge of the room. The only solution is to find and fix the water leak and then replace the damaged floor. My little dog and I suffered together, and before the year was out, he died of lung cancer. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. If you live in a manufactured home with a particle board subfloor you will likely need to replace it eventually. Best of luck! I assume you have a flat roof so you have a few different options (rubber, metal). If you are installing a hardwood floor covering. Particleboard is made from wood dust and chips that are combined with resin and shaped into panels in a hot press, reveals Upgraded Home. Vinyl will usually need to be cut around the perimeter of the room and tile will need to be ripped up. Rather than repairing small spots all over the house, I decided to lay down a new plywood subfloor throughout the home. You really can't put this type of plank floor over OSB, it's too flexible. 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. You may want to check into a product that dissolves glue. 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. Do not force them to fit. Its not impossible to do it yourself but if you have some odd cuts you may have a tough time. You do want to make sure all the damaged/suspect PB is replaced. Manufactured home builders construct homes in layers. We have the cheapest laminate flooring Lowes sold in our kitchen and Ive been impressed with it for over 3 years. Best of luck! There is also a composite type ceiling which Id love to replace with drywall, as well as all the paneling throughout the entire home. Id also like to add an addition, as well as put it on a permanent foundation, then eventually replace the roof with a metal roof. It doesnt have any water damage but I dont feel comfortable with these dips. Im in Kentucky. At this point, all the sub-flooring has been removed and you have a perfect opportunity to inspect the joists for any damage. If your joists are spaced between 16 and 19.2 inches apart, you should utilize inch plywood and OSB. Plumbing and Wiring The joists arent the flat floor layers youre accustomed to seeing inside your home. Of course, every situation is different but make sure you calculate the project both ways to see which would be more affordable. Required fields are marked *. If you have any questions please feel free to comment below and we will do our best to find your answer! All of your info is very helpful, but there is no mention on how to deal with the staples and glue residue from the original sub floor. My question is that I want to put the wood look tile in the laundry, kitchen, and living room. Aroundthe perimeter of the room, you will need toattach an additional 2 x 4 to the original so that you have a shelf or lip to lay the new sub-floor down,thennail and glue. If the inspector is seeing water damage in the subflooring than there is likely a leak and if its been neglected for a while the old wood (sub-flooring and possibly even the framing) will need to be replaced. Financing and Insurance How can I level a floor with uneven joists? All About Subfloors - installing flooring over various sub-floors Particle board subfloor - cover with additional plywood/osb for luxury vinyl plank flooring? We have laid a new subfloor over the existing subfloor in a couple of mobile homes weve worked on. Areas with minor pet damage can be sealed with Kilz primer to eliminate odors. 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. You do not want to touch the joists below. Soft spots are less common in newer homes that have plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board) subfloors. that share the same interest. Other than that, learn what SEO is and how to write for the search engines. I am doing this (some of it myself) hoping to find someone to help and not charge a arm and leg. Im thinking well want to lay down a moisture barrier between the flooring and the subfloor, as well as put in real plywood. Just the area over the shims? I guess my real question is, is will the chassis and blocks underneath be strong enough for the extra weight? You could get air bubbles caught in there and the floor could delaminate if that makes sense? Installing plywood underlayment over a subfloor is fairly straightforward. Im not sure if thats true but Ive seen bleach and mold/mildew cleaner remove some dangerous-looking stuff. I was so tempted to leave it too but basically committed now. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. Make sure to keep them just in case you decide to remove the chair rail in the future. Since then Ive gotten another serious water issue with damage. Cut off a piece of the existing particle board and bring it into home depot. It might with that thin vinyl. If you are installing a hardwood floor covering, you should utilize a plywood underlayment. Youll want to find 3 different companies to get appraisals to get a good idea. Manufactured homes can settle over time which is why it is recommended to do are-levelingcheck every 2-3 years. Whats the grammar of "For those whose stories they are"? What is the best subflooring to use?? Thick underlayment can also pose an issue if youre looking to transition flooring from one room into another. Stretching and stapling/nailing the wrap is a real pain but its easier with help. If your joists are spaced between 16 and 19.2 inches apart, you should utilize, and OSB. First of all, that leaves me with 3k worth of subfloor to sell secondhand. If you do it, be sure to seal around the wood inside your vents (with mastic and the shiny aluminum tape). Also, with better sub-flooring you can use practically any product on the market as long as your kitchen doesnt cross the marriage line. Best of luck! In areas where you want to install vinyl or other flooring requiring a prepared surface, use 3/4" t&g BC plywood to avoid the need for additional underlayment. Secondly, plywood is vastly inferior to the materials i have purchased. Im looking to replicate the terrazzo style, but was concerned if it would still crack if the home was on a permanent foundation? Lay plywood over floorboards by leaving about 1/8 inch between the plywood and the wall. What is your opinion on installing tile in a mobile home? Usually its the bathrooms. Keep the screws more than an inch from the edge. Homeimprovement.com has a great list of all the best primers and paints for painting your mobile homes subfloor. Replacing particle board flooring in mobile home (and insulation Your mobile home subfloor may be made out of: OSB (oriented strand board)made of pressed wood strips and resin adhesives somewhat like particle board. I would really appreciate your help in this matter. Again, thank you for a wonderful blogsite. Whats the grammar of "For those whose stories they are"? The 3 Types of Subfloor You Should Know - Hunker Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparents former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Also, this may be a great time to install new cabinets if you havent already and heres why: You can save money by demolishing all the old cabinets yourself especially if you have the standard cabinetry found in most manufactured homes they are built-in. You can save a ton of labor and refuse costs by doing this. The image above shows the complex plumbing you may encounter in a mobile home bathroom. If your existing floor is in fair shape both plywood and OSB staple or screw down nicely for living rooms, bedrooms, and halls. Farmhouse Decor Heres contact information on their website, perhaps if you can call your state office (if there is one in your state) you may be able to get some kind of help, especially if the fumes released surpass a certain number of measurement. We absolutely encourage DIY. Decorating Tips locations, especially under the master bathroom shower pan area. NOTE: Some plywood consists of one rough side and one smooth side. Tile doesnt do well on wet and warped wood. Rooms with more substantial furniture will need a thicker subfloor. I have 2 sides open for ventilation. 4 Popular Questions about Mobile Home Subfloors Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! Additionally, the particle board is flat in shape, whereas plywood can be moulded into different shapes. Hi, Crystal. Im so sorry that happened. At this time, I presume the Bottom Barrier (Belly Board), ductwork and fiberglass insulation are in acceptable condition. Generally, it is better to have a thin but sturdy underlayment. Usually, every home more than 10 years old has developed a soft spot or two in the floor. Can popular roof coatings work to keep the water out and the heat off? When the subfloor is getting weak, it feels very spongy or soft when you walk on it. Heating and Cooling To lower our kitchen, we would need to remove the floor covering, the sub flooring, and then remove the additional framing for the platform. I love it right now but I know it will be an issue as we age. Im not knowledgeable about HVAC but you may want to get an expert to check the system out to make sure it has the proper venting. Ive had a few leaks in the usual places and have done repairs as we go. Measure the space between thejoists so you can cut the lumber (26) to the right length so they fit in between the joists. What should I use to overlay a particle board subfloor in my mobile home? Heres an article that explains the process better. If its carpet you will need to remove the strips. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Thank you! The plywood underlayment helps cover up any dings or imperfections in the subfloor, allowing you to install floor coverings with ease. Heres an article that explains the process better. We hope you have enjoyed these questions about mobile home subfloors and our Ask a Mobile Home Expert series. 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. There isnt much room between joists. Transporting Mobile Homes, Mobile Home Living is a registered trademark. Thank you, Barry! Purchasing a new manufactured home is very different from the process of buying a motor vehicle. 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. So far, its worked great. Particle board subfloor - houzz.com You want to be sure you dont spend more than the home could ever be worth and you are being very smart by asking the tough questions. Plywood underlayment is the most common kind of underlayment because it is strong, durable, and you can sand it down to a smooth finish. 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. Since you are an impartial party, i would love your opinion on this. Underlayment goes on top of the subfloor, and you dont necessarily need it for structural integrity. Related Content: How Much Weight Can Plywood Support? If you preorder a special airline meal (e.g. See the above picture. Hope that helps! At Lowe's, you'll find OSB in a range of sizes and types so you can find the right board for . ), I want to enjoy the rest of my life, and hopefully do some art work and sewing that I have put off. At some point I was able to get the water piping replaced under a government replacement program, so I am wondering if the government knows about this resin formaldehyde issue. Image Credit: architectphd/iStock/GettyImages Crystal Adkins Also, all OSB is not the same. When ripping it up it looks like it was screwed and glued onto risers (planks of wood - not sure what they're called). Real Estate In reference to insulation and subfloors, we have a 2003 Redman 24X48 DBLWide, and weve had to pull up some floors. However, I think you may be confusing subflooring and floor covering. We have videos and images that will give you the visual information you need and, of course, in-depth descriptions and instructions on how to replace your subfloor. Most of the time it will be a window or roofing issue and the water is running down the wall. You may have just pulled up carpet and repaired the floor underneath. If youre looking to install new floors, installing a plywood underlayment can be an easy and fun DIY project! I bet your floors look great hardwoods are gorgeous! Thank you for creating a well researched & informative article for the DIY population. Also, youll want to make sure the ground is graded so that moisture cant settle under the home. The supports will also need to go underneath the remaining edges of the existing subfloor so that those edges can also be screwed into the new supports. Tile (light weight preferably), laminate, real wood, etc. They didnt hurt the wood at all. You can add it under the home and just run it through the floor at each faucet/water source. 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. Replacing the subfloors can be a time-consuming and expensive process, but you can strengthen your subfloor without removing the particleboard by laying plywood on top of it. 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. Its reduces heat loss and helps add structural security to the home (walls do too, of course). Should I work on the walls first or floors first. I really need to get it fixed because it feels like the toilet is going to fall through the floor at any time. Use this link for 10% off purchases of $100: https://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=434871&m=27613&u=622024. Particle board is made of dust and small chips of wood that are glued and pressed together. Theres a tool list as well. Cottage Chic Decor Being a mother of 4 children, I dont have extra money to hire someone to fix the floor. Took us almost 2 years to get thin, pre-papered wall panels and floor ripped out. I am in a 1995 single wide mobile home. You want to protect the subfloor and studs from water at all costs. Does Counterspell prevent from any further spells being cast on a given turn? Oriented strand board (or OSB board), is an engineered wood made of pressurized wood strands and adhesives that offers exceptional strength and performance. Before the pandemic, the manufactured Buying And Installing A New Manufactured Home (Part 2) - Finding The Right Location. The most obvious evidence to support the subcontractors theory is the peaking of the subfloor at the joists. They are not the same. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Or does heat get under the flooring from the heat duct? Could you please give me a detailed description of what to do to get the wood replaced. My manufactured home is from 1987 with quite a few upgrades like outside to shaker board, interior was done in drywall except for ceilings. Yet, I do not want to get sick from the things that need to be done (like new kitchen cabinets and flooring, and new bedroom flooring). (Just spent several weeks being treated for sinus infection from off-gassing of new memory foam bed. The subflooring is not your carpet or vinyl, were talking about the wood under that. It is an easy process and you simply do it one sheet at a time. Your particle board doesnt look like its in terrible shape. Use a thick piece of plywood to help shore up your particle board subfloor, at least 3/4 inch thick. Use caution so you dontcut a joist. 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. As long as you are getting thick high-quality plywood or even OSB (anything except MDF / particle board) your home should be fine. Plywood vs OSB Subflooring - The Pros and Cons of Each - Bob Vila Another problem is that nails don't hold well in particleboard; the board tends to flake and break away instead of gripping the nails. I do mean commercial-grade, without any fluff. or hire someone :)? , Your email address will not be published. or take them up? The toilet was leaking for some time and I didnt notice until I saw that the floor looked kind of warped. I do know that the cheap laminate floating floor worked just fine over the older pile flooring in our single wide bedroom. Displays2Go: Comparing Building Materials: Particle Board, MDF & Plywood, How to Cut out a Section of Carpet & Put in Laminate, How to Prevent Buckling on Laminate Floors. Would they be 16 on center or are they farther apart. Self-Leveling Underlayment is an easy-to-use, cement-based underlayment that self-levels. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rank it a 7 because no specialty tools are required and the material list is short but it is a tedious job and it must be done right. Noted from the sub-area at three You want to give water a place to go away from the home. A rented toe kick / flush cut saw makes it much easier to cut sub-flooring right next to walls and cabinets. Im tired of being cold!! Chuck says that rehabbing homes is the most fun part of his real estate career. ACK!! You really need to have a good command of your tools as to not damage framing and understand the schematics of your home (especially venting, plumbing, and wiring). He was using screws for wood and we know the floor underneath is particle board with many staples in it. Yikes! ft.) for around $450 (.79 sq foot I believe). Interviews Once it is all removed, we can lay new subfloor down (assuming the bottom joists are healthy). Heating and Cooling Subfloor Materials. cost for removing a sunken lift floor centre of living space in older trailer. http://www.care.com/housekeeping-creating-a-toxin-free-home-p1017-q14637.html. These projects usually end up leading me to searching for information. If you are replacing the wall and the floor anyway you may want to install a regular size door (available at Lowes or Home Depot) it may be cheaper than buying the special manufactured home size doors. Manufactured Home Model Tours Plywood underlayment is usually knot-free and comes in lightweight 48 sheets with right-angle edges that make it particularly easy to lay. The underlayment is excellent for smoothing and flattening interior surfaces before installing floor coverings. 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). Its not fair but its the truth. My husband has ideas how to fix it but doesnt know if we have to replace the whole floor and how far the joiset are. How do I align things in the following tabular environment? How To Repair Subfloor - Home, Mobile Home, and General Floors Walls and Ceilings Plywood is stronger and more durable than particle board, as it is made with cross-grain texture and stronger adhesives. The subfloors of many older manufactured homes tend to be made of dense particle board. Carpets will only absorb the moisture and ultimately harm the floor covering. Try Mobile Home Parts Store. I dont know a soul in California, unfortunately. We have what was once pile carpet, but its 25 years old and its not completely flat, but its still got some cushion and a pad underneath. If you are adding wainscoting you will cut and remove the entire bottom section. The sheets are installed over the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails. A place where magic is studied and practiced? She earned a BA in communications from Jacksonville State University. To replace flooring in a mobile home you will need experience in construction. If so, how do I find them? Note: Do not use adhesives to attach the two; use wood screws instead. Or should I get 1/4" plywood and lay that on top of the risers? I added some links and additional information on your other comment so hopefully you get both of my replies. First, be sure that the floor is completely clean from all nails, screws, glue, staples, carpet fibers, dust, and thinset. Financing and Insurance Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? Does this mean we take out the subfloor from the living room and replace it with plywood? 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. Basically installing this subfloor is the same concept as installing a subfloor on a concrete slab with exception of anchoring methods. I had a friend install a new Garbage Disposal a few months ago. Its hard to mess up a project like this. How to Replace Subflooring in a Mobile Home There is only around 18 between belly and ground at one end. What should I use to overlay a particle board subfloor in my mobile home? The first step to replacing rotted flooring in a mobile home is to remove the trim and floor covering. Manufactured Home Floors and Foundation l Clayton Studio It is stuff like this that is so frustrating when it comes to home buying (and it happens in site-built homes too). Problems With Putting Wood Flooring Over a Crawlspace, How to Use Engineered or Prefinished Hardwood Flooring. Repairing Damaged Subfloor In A Mobile Home The belly wrap is important for heat retention. The material of your sub-flooring will play a big factor when deciding to install tile. 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. All went well until i laid vinyl wood look planks. 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. This is not a job for someone that has never used a hammer. I have a double wide mobile home in Huntington Beach, Ca. Also, if the water has damaged the walls how should I go about repairing them? Heres a link I found that states this information: http://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/faq-mdf.htm, Heres some information about creating a toxic-free home. Most subfloors are either 3/4 or 5/8 thick. The short answer is that it doesn't much matter as long as it's solid. Kitchens You should be able to find a suitable siding at a good price, sheet metal comes in all kinds of different colors these days. Then replace the particle board with plywood of the same thickness and make sure you glue it to the risers in addition to using a fastener. So sorry to hear you are having these problems! I would call your local mobile home supply store and ask them for references. When buying a new manufactured home, choosing where you will put it is one of your first decisions to be made. The standard particle board subfloor that is so common in mobile homes soaks up moisture. We need new cupboards, appliances etc so would be a complete renovation. When the renter left, I decided to remodel the home and sell it. Thanks again for your help This was very helpful. Ive been slacking on the comments lately. It is on the other side of wall in master bath. Please consider taking some photos of the process for me! If you have any other questions please dont hesitate to contact me via comments or email me directly at crystaladkins!mobilehomeliving.org. 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. Let me know how it goes! Im no expert at all so theres probably a better way. Its thick so it has a nice cushion to it that is perfect for standing while cooking. How to tell which packages are held back due to phased updates. I need to know a trust worthy company to replace the sub-floor in my doublewide mobile home. For anyone thinking about doing this job, its messy and tedious but can be accomplished with basic carpentry skills and some hard work. I conducted lots of research prior to purchasing it. This should be a top priority. Thank you for all the helpful information! Wed like to put down something very sturdy. Sometimes a lot, sometimes very little, but when it does rain, you want your mobile home roof to be watertight. Installation and Setup Plywood sheets are an engineered wood product made by binding thin layers of wood veneer together with resin under high pressure and heat and then rotating each layer 90 degrees in a technique known as cross-graining. Weve used beadboard paneling in a few mobile homes too. Where are the best places to find a new door wall for our 1985 mobile home? The question to you in this forum is given his living location, should the vapor barrier be under the subflooring, on the ground, or both places? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. If moisture is a consideration, then you should use an exterior grade. I'm not an expert, but I had a similar situation when installing laminate flooring. We've been licensed real estate agents in AZ since 2003. You can read it here. The cheaper particle board sub-floor that is so notorious in manufactured housing is not a good foundation for tile. Floor Plans Plane floor joists, sand subfloor, or sand underlayment to handle hump in floor for cork plank flooring? Step 2 Carefully measure the size to cut the new subfloor plywood. The home will never be moved nor has it been moved since the original owner had it set on the acreage. We finally got to the kitchen floor that we knew had a problem and figured the only way to find out the problem was to take up the floor.