How do I eliminate a 1/2″ sag in a subfloor, without working from underneath, before installing a oak strip floor?
I’ve gone back through this forum re: this question, and have gleaned that using layers of plywood of varying thinknesses to correct the problem, then further feathering the remaining steps with varying thicknesses of felt.
Is there any specific product that can be trowelled on to fill those final steps, which can be used under a wood floor that is to be nailed. Will accept nails, although the filler will be thin, and the nail will go through it to the plywood, will not dry out and crumble over time? Something that works in a “flexible environment” like a wood floor on wood framing?
Replies
What caused the sag should be addressed first. The joist has weakened. I would not think it was installed with a sag. It will continue to weaken and sag more.
However there are levers that do not crumble.Check with an oak flooring company.
Charlie
Rather than building it up with plywood, build it up with sleepers. You can rip them individually to the height(s) you need. They have to be installed directly on topof the joists. Lay 30# felt on the subfloor, the sleepers on top of the felt and fastened to the joists with 4" square drives, the flooring on top of the sleepers. Am I on the right track here?
Edited 7/8/2002 10:20:13 PM ET by WEBTROOPER
Yep, you're on the right track, except that your way takes a lot more time and skill, and increases the floor thickness. But Charlie raises the most important point. . .why did it sag?
The reason for the sag is, this is an old part of the house and the sag is due to settling, all of which, I believe has taken place. The reason for my posting is that I would like a solution that does not require ripping up the subfloor as there are walls framed on top of it. I would like a solution on top of the subfloor.
So what you are saying is that you do not have ready access to the floor joists from below?Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
IMHO, unless you prove that it's absolutely impossible to get under the floor, you're not going to get the answer you want here because it sounds like you're trying to do a half-way fix, and that goes against the prevailing style of FHB readers.
You could look into Mapei patching compounds or products that Ardex makes...
http://www.mapei.com/
http://www.ardex.co.uk/index.htm
I'm not sure if they will crack or are even nailable, but worth looking into. Sorry. I see very few wood subfloors that need that kind of attention here in Florida.
Ken Fisher(wood flooring guy)
http://216.197.102.142/default.htm/