How to Replace a Rotten Floor in Front of a Bath Tub

Rotted bathroom floor

There is nothing worse than a bathroom with rotting floors. There is no way to feel clean when you know you are in a bacteria-laden, mold-growing environment. You can ignore it for a little while, but eventually you are going to have to face the daunting task of ripping out the floor. Try to find a time when the bathroom won't be in high demand and when the weather is moderate, or you will be tracking in rain-soaked foot prints through your house. It is really handy if you have a window in the bathroom to throw out the old rotten stuff instead of dragging it through the rest of your house.

Things You'll Need

• Pry bar Scraper Dust masks Eye protection Circular saw or Sawzal Measuring tape Shop vac Dehumidifier (optional) Plywood Hammers Nails Caulk

Instructions

1. Clear out any rugs or movable items on the floor of your bathroom. If you have a shower curtain, make sure it is tucked away so it won't get in your way. Your bathroom is going to get dirty, so clear out all the towels and toiletries that you want to keep clean. Cover any drain holes with a rag or towel to keep excess debris from clogging the drains.

2. Pull up the existing flooring. If it is damp, it should not be too difficult. Use the pry bar for tiles and scrapers to lift any vinyl. Once you have cleared it down to the wood, mark out the area that is rotted out or that you suspect is rotted. You will need to work out at least 6 inches beyond that to find dry wood.

3. Cut out the area, making it as square as possible to you don't have a hard time fitting a new piece of plywood. Use the circular saw or a sawzal to cut through the subfloor. Don't cut nails, if at all possible. If it seems impossible to take out just a patch, you may consider undoing the plumbing for the sink and toilet and ripping out the whole floor..

4. Look for any leaks that may be causing the wetness that has rotted out the floor and repair them before continuing. Clean out any debris that is sitting in your work area with a shop vac. Allow the area to stay open until it has dried out---usually 24 to 48 hours. You can opt to dry it out faster by using a dehumidifier in the closed room for 24 hours.

5. Measure out a new piece of plywood to fit the area cut out. Use a nail gun or hammer and nails to secure the plywood to the floor joists. Before you put the new piece in, you can mark the outer perimeter where the studs cross under, for easy access.

6. Measure the difference between the new floor plywood and the existing flooring. You may want to install a piece of thin plywood called luan to bring it closer to being the right height. Caulk any gaps and allow it to dry.

7. Replace the flooring to match the existing flooring. Different floors materials have different application methods. Tile requires thinset, while vinyl requires sealing the plywood and carpet, although not typical in a bathroom setting, can be installed immediately.