Drilling into backerboard...
#1
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Drilling into backerboard...
Hi everyone,
I'm about to start putting down backerboard for my first tiling project and was wondering how concerned I should be about what runs under the subfloor (plumbing, electrical, etc...). I wasn't able to take the subfloor up to look under it because it's in a small bathroom and the sheets of wood run under the walls. This is on the third floor of our townhouse.
I'm pretty sure the 1 5/8" backerboard screws will run through the backerboard and subfloor and I'm worried that maybe there's a drainpipe, sprinkler pipe, or electrical wire under there.
Is this something that is generally a cause for concern when screwing down backerboard?
Thanks,
Bill
I'm about to start putting down backerboard for my first tiling project and was wondering how concerned I should be about what runs under the subfloor (plumbing, electrical, etc...). I wasn't able to take the subfloor up to look under it because it's in a small bathroom and the sheets of wood run under the walls. This is on the third floor of our townhouse.
I'm pretty sure the 1 5/8" backerboard screws will run through the backerboard and subfloor and I'm worried that maybe there's a drainpipe, sprinkler pipe, or electrical wire under there.
Is this something that is generally a cause for concern when screwing down backerboard?
Thanks,
Bill
#2
How thick is your subfloor?
You are going to lay the backerboard into a fresh bed of thinset AND screw it down, correct?
You always should be aware of what maybe below or in a wall cavity when you are screwing or nailing.
You are going to lay the backerboard into a fresh bed of thinset AND screw it down, correct?
You always should be aware of what maybe below or in a wall cavity when you are screwing or nailing.
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I think the subfloor is 1/2". It's hard to tell without taking it up which I'm not sure I can do since it runs under the walls into the adjoining rooms.
Yes, I plan to lay thinset and then screw the backerboard down into the subfloor.
Yes, I plan to lay thinset and then screw the backerboard down into the subfloor.
#4
I hope it's not just 1/2". Do you have any floor vents that you can remove the cover off of to see the thickness?
If you have none, I would drill a small hole and measure it that way.
Your subfloor needs to be at least 5/8" thick for a ceramic/porcelain installation. Even thicker if you want natural stone.
If you have none, I would drill a small hole and measure it that way.
Your subfloor needs to be at least 5/8" thick for a ceramic/porcelain installation. Even thicker if you want natural stone.
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I'll take your suggestion and drill a small hole to measure. If it turns out that it is in fact only 1/2", what are my options? Can I lay some 1/4" material down, then mortar, then backerboard?
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Good news I think; the hole drilled in the subfloor shows it to be 3/4" subfloor.
So that, coupled with 1/4" backerboard will give a 1" thick floor (plus whatever space the mortar takes up).
After looking again, the backerboard screws are 1 1/4" screws.
Should this extra 1/4" cause me to worry about not knowing exactly whats under the subfloor?
So that, coupled with 1/4" backerboard will give a 1" thick floor (plus whatever space the mortar takes up).
After looking again, the backerboard screws are 1 1/4" screws.
Should this extra 1/4" cause me to worry about not knowing exactly whats under the subfloor?
#7
It will be fine. That extra 1/4" of screw will not puncture anything. Almost all plumbing and electrical is center within the joists for this purpose.