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This type of subflooring needs to be stored in a dry environment and sealed before installation to maintain its integrity. A small amount of moisture can seep in between the fibers and rot particle board quickly. Sorry, the video player failed to load.

Improper spacing. To avoid buckling, subfloor panels should be spaced with a 1/8-inch gap at all edges and ends to provide room for naturally occurring expansion. Tongue-and-groove edges on many premium floor panels, such as Weyerhaeuser’s Edge Gold® OSB panels, are designed to self-gap.

If you know your plywood floor will be getting a lot of foot traffic, or will be exposed to moisture, consider using an oil-based primer-sealer such as Behr Premium Plus. This tough primer will get your plywood ready to handle any kind of top coat or treatment you are planning.

Installing a Waterproof Subfloor

Subfloors are usually made out of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) panels. ... To waterproof the plywood yourself, first repair it if needed and then sand it down and clean it off. Use a waterproof sealant, stain or paint and apply two to three layers.

To avoid puncturing the moisture barrier, install it under the subfloor to protect both the sub and finished floors. For example, you would lay the plastic sheeting directly on the dirt, gravel, or cement slab before building the sub-floor.Jan 7, 2021

You can paint kilz on your subfloor though it depends on the type of floor and purpose of application. ... The paint is especially ideal for hardwood, plywood, and other organic-based subfloors with an affinity for stains and unpleasant odors. Kilz paint can either be a water-based or oil-based primer.Sep 20, 2021

Using an epoxy sealer is probably the most popular way to seal plywood against the elements. The epoxy is usually found in paint or spray forms. The advantage that epoxy provides is that it makes the plywood stronger, in addition to waterproof.

An exterior-based caulking is sufficient. Remove the baseboard, if present, to expose the gap between the subfloor and the wall face. ... Clean dust or debris from the gap between the wall and subfloor, using a vacuum fitted with a slant nozzle. Insert a tube of caulking into the caulk gun.

Plywood used as a subfloor, wall underlayment or roof sheathing needs to have the seams sealed with caulk. By sealing these seams, moisture, insects, dust and air can't permeate into a home. Unsealed seams diminish the effectiveness of the cooling and heating systems of a home which can adversely affect utility costs.

You can simply use a putty type of wood filler. Or anything to prevent the laminate from dipping. I've seen guys use construction adhesive like PL to repair small defects in the subfloor.Mar 27, 2019

Every type of bathroom floor, including linoleum and other moisture-resistant materials, should be completely sealed around the edges where it meets the wall, bathtub, toilet, vanity and any other permanent fixtures.

There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.Aug 11, 2020

• Plywood has been a standard subfloor material since the 1950s and remains the preferred subflooring for many builders. Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

• Full Answer. Pry up the floorboards with a crowbar and cut out the rotten subflooring with a circular saw. If the joists are still sturdy, replace the rotten subflooring with new plywood cut to fit the space in question and then nail down the new wood. It is possible to nail new plywood into place onto rotten subflooring,...

• The two main types of sub-floor are wood and concrete, both of which have their own characteristics. If you have a wooden sub-floor, then you’ll have the option to install your new floor using a nail-down method, a glue-down method or indeed a floating installation.

• Oriented Strand Board. OSB can be used for subfloors, although it is not as common as CDX. For 19/32-inch-thick panels, the joists should be 20 inches on center. For 23/32-inch-thick panels, the joists should be at least 24 inches on center.

Seal the subfloor with two coats of a high-quality acrylic or polyurethane subfloor sealer. Allow the sealer to cure for a day or two before installing the floor covering.

Use a paint roller on a long handle such as a broomstick, suggests Home Depot. Start at the back corner of the room and apply a light coat to the subfloor, working your way towards the door. Let the sealer dry thoroughly — about 24 hours — before proceeding. Using a waterproof membrane or roll-out underlayment will further protect your subfloor.

Apply wood sealants in a well-ventilated area with doors and windows open. Seal the subfloor before adding your carpet or vinyl flooring to protect it from spills that seep through the carpet.

Apply sealant with a paint brush to all sheets of the particle board on the floor, making sure to have even coverage of the face on each sheet. Work from one end of the room to the other moving backward as you apply sealant.

There is really no need water proof sub floor. All that said, I've never seen the stuff laid over plywood. It's thick and soft enough that it may be fine. If thats the way you decide to go, just make sure the plywood is smooth and the seams are feathered out.

Effective subfloor preparation ensures the highest quality floor finishes. Even the best design and flooring materials will have a poor result if the subfloor is not properly prepared. These easy-to-use solutions combine to accelerate floor preparation, helping you achieve faster, smarter, more secure installations.