NEWB needing advice, 50s home bathroom remodel

[Big Tom]

Well I've done alot of searching on google and darn near every question I've asked there has been links to posts on this site! Good job guys

Anyway I've learned alot, but wanted to get first hand advice for this remodel. I've pretty much gutted the area and found 7" wide x 3/4" thick T&G planks for the subfloor, type of wood unknown, I have 2x10 joists 16" OC, the bathroom is narrow (width of standard tub) but fairly long, the exterior wall where the tub is sits overtop of the foundation but the joists span approx 12' before reaching the teleposts. The condition of the subfloor is pretty good but of course is not really smooth/flat and I live in a area with clay/gumbo soil and nasty winters so things always seem to shift. In the hallway I have 3/4" white oak hardwood ontop of the subfloor.


So that about sums it up. I don't want to have a huge edge when I walk into the bathroom, but I'm guessing from what I read min will be 1/2" quality plywood plus ditra then tiles? Or is the conditions I've mentioned not really great for tiling and I should just skimp out and go lino?

Should I attempt to remove the old nails and replace with screws on the subfloor or simply put in some screws to help with the squeaks?

Any advice is always greatly appreciated! Thanks

[Brian in San Diego]

Welcome, Tom!

If your joists are Doug Fir or SYP then the deflecto indicates you are good for a tile installation. You are correct about the 1/2" plywood. It needs to be CC or better Exposure 1 or exterior.

I would secure all the planks to the joists. Screwing them down is a good way to accomplish that.

[Big Tom]

How can I tell what type of wood they are? Take pics and post them for you guys to see? I can see from below pretty well the grain of the wood, but no real markings


I think I also read that I don't glue/adhere the 1/2" plywood to the subfloor only screw it down to the joists correct? I think it had something to do with allowing the planks to swell/contract while leaving the plywood alone for the most part

[Brian in San Diego]

Originally Posted by Tom

I think I also read that I don't glue/adhere the 1/2" plywood to the subfloor only screw it down to the joists correct?

No, that isn't what you want to do, Tom. You want to fasten the plywood to the subfloor NOT the joists.

Usually lumber is marked in some place on dimensional lumber. Even if your joists fall under the unknown species in good condition you still pass muster with 2x10s, 16" OC and 12.5' span. Wouldn't worry as long as you are setting ceramic tile.