How to Repair a Rotted Bathroom Sub Floor

Moisture problems often lead to rotted floors. If your bath room has rotted floors you could hire some one to replace the floor for you, or you could save money by doing it your self. You can fix a rotted bath room floor in a weekend, and the cost of supplies is far less than what you would pay hiring a contractor.

Things You'll Need

• 2-inch by 6-inch by 8-feet long boards, 1 for every rotted beam
• ¾-inch plywood
• Tape measure
• Marking pencil
• Straight edge
• Circular saw
• Pry bar
• Hammer with claw
• Cordless drill
• 4-inch wood screws
• 2-inch wood screws

Instructions

1. Measure the length and the width of the bathroom. Remove the heat register it self and measure the hole. Measure how far into both the length and the width of the room the heat register hole is at each of the registers ends. Measure how wide the hole is. Figure out how many sheets of ply wood you will need for your floor using the length and width measurements, and knowing that 1 sheet of ¾-inch plywood is 4-feet wide by 8-feet long.

2. Get the plywood. Use a straight edge and a marking pencil to mark where it will need to be cut according to your measurements. Draw a box where the heat register will be directly onto the plywood using the heat register measurements you took. Use a circular saw to cut the wood to size.

3. Tear out all of the old sub floor using a claw hammer and a pry bar. Remove all screws that hold the wood in place using a cordless drill. Use the claw end of the hammer to remove nails that hold the flooring down. Tear the old floor up completely. Once all of the rotted wood is out remove any nails or screws that remain in the beams. Nothing can be left sticking up or the new floor will not lay flat.

4. Check for rotted beams. If you have a beam that is rotted, it will need to be braced. Use new 2 by 6's to run along the weakened beam for the entire length of it. Insert 4-inch screws diagonally to hold the 2 by 6 in place on the each of the ends.

5. Lay the new ¾-inch plywood in place. Use a cordless drill and 2-inch wood screws to secure the new sub floor to the beams beneath it. Put the heat register down through the hole you cut for it.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time. Measure carefully.

• Use care and caution when using a skill saw and cordless drill.

• Wear eye protection.