proper order of steps before laying tile?

[TwoStar]

Kman said One thing to keep in mind about the Deflecto on the JB forum is that it is well on the conservative side, meaning it will show a lower rating than what you really have. I guess the engineer that did the specs for it figured it was better to be safe than sorry. There's another calculator on a different forum that is much more detailed and rates those joists (provided they are #2 southern pine and in decent shape) to be able to span almost 13 feet. I did a ceramic installation years ago with the exact same specs, then ended up tearing it out on a whole-house remodel about seven years later and there wasn't a single crack in the grout or tiles. Of course, it's always best to be on the safe side. A little overkill never hurts. If I wanted to beef up the floor just to be safe, I would get enough 2x6x8's to sister each joist, provided they don't have plumbing or wiring running through them. You only have to address the middle 2/3 of the joist, and this might be easier than constructing another support beam. The problem I've found with support beams is that it's easy to have it just a little too high, causing a peak in the floor. If you have access, sistering is the way to go. A box of screws and some construction adhesive and you can do one joist about every 10 minutes. Two layers of 3/4" ply is waaaay more than enough for a tile installation, particularly over 16" joist spacing. I would still try to get rid of that 3/8" ply, though.

Thanks, Kman, for stepping in...I laid awake all night thinking, "Sean, shut up. A little information can be a dangerous thing. Especially when wielded by a moron."
But, God, I felt smart at the time.

[hookknife]

Kman said One thing to keep in mind about the Deflecto on the JB forum is that it is well on the conservative side, meaning it will show a lower rating than what you really have. I guess the engineer that did the specs for it figured it was better to be safe than sorry. There's another calculator on a different forum that is much more detailed and rates those joists (provided they are #2 southern pine and in decent shape) to be able to span almost 13 feet. I did a ceramic installation years ago with the exact same specs, then ended up tearing it out on a whole-house remodel about seven years later and there wasn't a single crack in the grout or tiles. Of course, it's always best to be on the safe side. A little overkill never hurts. If I wanted to beef up the floor just to be safe, I would get enough 2x6x8's to sister each joist, provided they don't have plumbing or wiring running through them. You only have to address the middle 2/3 of the joist, and this might be easier than constructing another support beam. The problem I've found with support beams is that it's easy to have it just a little too high, causing a peak in the floor. If you have access, sistering is the way to go. A box of screws and some construction adhesive and you can do one joist about every 10 minutes. Two layers of 3/4" ply is waaaay more than enough for a tile installation, particularly over 16" joist spacing. I would still try to get rid of that 3/8" ply, though.

Yep, +1 again, inspect the Joists for "Plummer Damage" a Plummer and a recip saw can be a dangerous thing.

[xoffers]

thanks for all advice, plan now is to double up all the joists, level out the lower sections of plywood, lay backer board down and completely level the floor after that. Does that sound right? I may still put a support beam up

[Kman]

Either double up the joists or add a support beam, whichever is easier for you, but you don't need to do both unless you just want the extra work.

If you mentioned how bad the low spots are, I don't remember. Typically leveling in this type of situation is done up top of the CBU. But if you have spots that are very low, you should fix the root of the problem, i.e. raise the sagging joist or repair the subfloor before you do anything else.

[xoffers]

back wall of room has a span of about 6' x 1' where the floor is 1-2/8" lower so I was going to level that section out first just so I have a level foundation for cement board.


(do moderators delete posts, I posted some stuff last night on this thread and it's gone)

[Barry Carlton]

xoffers said (do moderators delete posts, I posted some stuff last night on this thread and it's gone)

Only if necessary.

Several were moved to a new topic. You said yourself that your new question was off topic. So we gave it a topic/thread of it's own. Backer board and tub flange issue

[xoffers]

Barry Carlton said Only if necessary. Several were moved to a new topic. You said yourself that your new question was off topic. So we gave it a topic/thread of it's own. Backer board and tub flange issue

interesting, I guess that's good so threads don't diverge from the original topic. Probably should have been posted that this was done though but I'm sure it's standard policy listed in rules & regulations.

[TFP Admin]

xoffers said interesting, I guess that's good so threads don't diverge from the original topic. Probably should have been posted that this was done though but I'm sure it's standard policy listed in rules & regulations.

Sorry, I take the blame for that. Sometimes I come here and see nearly a hundred things to do and I forget to let people know when I move something. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Jim

[xoffers]

TFP Admin said Sorry, I take the blame for that. Sometimes I come here and see nearly a hundred things to do and I forget to let people know when I move something. I apologize for the inconvenience. Jim

No problem, the attention to detail is was makes this such a great place!