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waterproof underlayment in bathroom?

Rikar | Posted in Construction Techniques on December 13, 2008 10:01am

Here’s the situation:  relatively small bathroom with one piece tub/shower to receive hardwood plank flooring (new construction).

Kinda worried about setting the tub/shower on the Advantec-type subfloor without having a waterproof underlayment on the entire bathroom floor.  Is this concern warranted?  If so, what’s a good product to use?  Should the hardwood floor extend under the tub, too?  (Seems like that would be a nightmare with that one-piece outfit to move around while installing….)

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Replies

  1. wane | Dec 13, 2008 07:13pm | #1

    tub-shower combo doesn't need waterproofing under it, now hardwood in the bathroom, that's just plain dumb, esp ironic that someone would put hardwood in a bathroom and worry about the subfloor under the tub ..

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Dec 14, 2008 12:25am | #2

    I also don't believe hardwood floors should be installed in a bathroom, unless you are a floor refinisher and need lots of practise.  And if you do install the wood floors, putting a watertight layer under them would hold the moisture, creating even more problems then if the moisture was allowed to migrate.

    Look at it this way, your kids are gonna splash, or maybe the cat takes a header into the tub and rockets out, bringing with it more water than you can iomagine, to pool on your nice oak strip floor.  Maybe you can mop it up in time, maybe not.  Next thing you know, the floor is cupping, and someone is thinking, 'I told you so.'

    But, some things you have to discover on your own.

     

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

    1. rasconc | Dec 14, 2008 01:19am | #3

      I did our house in cherry 1x6 "shorts" including the bath.  Have a tub in dressing area and toilet and shower in other part.  Have four granddaughters age 1-10 who are the only ones to use the tub on infrequent visits.  No problem at all.  Ten yrs into it and absolutely no issues.  Have had plenty of spills and wipe up pretty quick. 

      Did finish with hand-rubbed 2 parts Tung, 1 part boiled linseed oil and 1 part min spirits.  Three coats in kitchen and bath.  For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

  3. Piffin | Dec 14, 2008 01:38am | #4

    The Advantec can handle the occasional damping it might get with no trouble.

    Some woods are a problem in a bathroom, others do fine with a little extra attention. i've probably installed wood in a dozen and worked over a good hundred more where I only saw the wood hurt by mositure in a couple and those were a hundred years old and poorly maintained.

    The only single newer one i've seen that showed as a bad idea was a maple done by a cont5ractor known for careless fast work. There are a couple things to do when installing wood in a bathrrom or kitchen, but it can work just fine.

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. Rikar | Dec 14, 2008 02:34am | #5

      Thanks, guys, for the discussion.  It helps.

      @Piffin -- You mentioned special treatment for wood floors in bath/kitchen.  Care to steer me in the right direction?  Would be much appreciated as I think I'm pretty much stuck with the wood flooring.  I don't think a decision has been made yet, but hickory plank has been mentioned.

      1. Piffin | Dec 14, 2008 07:02am | #6

        I have not worked with hickory.The tricks are
        #1` pick a wood that is fairly stable. White pine or maple moves too much. heart pine and white oak be very good, as are some others. I just don't know hickory#2 back seal it before installing and after acclimation to site conditions. I do a double coat of clear shellac, and in damp areas like this, seal cut ends, esp at tub edge before nailing down.#3 instruct owners to keep from flooding, dry up dampness and spills immediately 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      2. KFC | Dec 14, 2008 07:24am | #7

        If it has to be wood, t&G doug. fir performs well in wetter areas.  it's soft, so it will show scratches and gouges, but won't cup as quickly as oak.  has a nice warm color with a satin urethane on it.

        k

        1. Rikar | Dec 14, 2008 09:58am | #8

          Thanks all.  Good info (may just save my bacon...).

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