Waterproofing Particleboard subfloor
flseminarian
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
We are doing a conversion of a mostly-unfinished bonus room to a laundry/utility room. The exposed and unfinished subfloor is particleboard. The owner plans to put down LVP.
The question in my mind is whether we need to put some sort of waterproofing down before the LVP to try to avoid damage to the subfloor from a potential water hit. And, if so, what type would we use?
Thoughts?
Replies
Is there anything under the particle board? That stuff can't stand a pet puddle.
I've seen a few houses years ago that had 1/2" plywood then particle board where there was going to be carpet. If this is the case, remove it and replace with say, 5/8" underlayment.
What is under the floor?
If it is properly humidity controlled, you can put a waterproofing layer you paint on like redgard or similar, then the tile.
You probably want to understand the role a waterproofing vapor barrier would play in the structure.
If there is any kind of moisture source, the last thing you want is a waterproof covering and cooled space above.
We're at the 45th parallel in the Idaho Panhandle. Few houses more than about 10 years old here even have cooled air.
I can't think of a worse place to have particleboard. I doubt there is anything you could apply over it that would stop it from falling apart.
I had particle board in a laundry remodel (my own home). I saw that I had two choices: tear it out now, or wait for it to turn it a festering mess when I had the inevitable leak, and tear it out later - at 10X the cost. Pretty easy decision. I put down 1/2 exterior plywood.
If you are set on "waterproofing" the particleboard I would use a shower waterproofing product like redguard.
I wouldn't use particleboard anywhere in a home, or on any project, I still prefer plywood over OSB for strength and moisture resistance, even though OSB has made significant progress. Particleboard, on the other hand, has not improved significantly in decades.
My daughter's house had 1/2" particleboard as the attic floor that was installed by the previous owner. You didn't dare walk on the stuff except on the floor joists. I've replaced the particle board shelves (3/4") that were originally put in linen closets is my house as they sag and look horrible even when sealed by painting...
I would get rid of the particleboard, and sealing it may just trap moisture that is absorbed from the bottom of the particleboard and accelerate the deterioration depending on what is underneath. Since you said it was a "bonus room", I'm assuming it's over a garage???
Of course today's problem is that all sheet goods cost a small fortune, and it's not clear when or if prices will decrease... :(
Alas we may never know what he does. He seldom if ever comes back with an update or reply.
Also I was curious about if it was really particle board or osb .In my world most particle board underlayment has long since gone back to particles.
Particle board.....
The best retainer of pet accidents.
What about this...Remove the particle board and replace with backer board, which has not skyrocketed in price the way wood fiber products have?
He hasn't done anything yet.
Sorry, I'll try to be better.
Thanks
Backer board would be ok, only if it is installed over rated sub floor.
( I know this is a little captain obvious, here.)
but the original subject indicated particle board sub floor.
End of story. Client decided that they would be careful, and left it as is. Click-together Vinyl plank has been installed, which gives some, but not perfect, water protection.