Replacing the Rotted Wood: How To Repair Rotted Wood Bathroom Floor
Once you’ve removed the damaged wood, it’s time to replace it with fresh, sturdy material. Choosing the right wood is crucial for ensuring a long-lasting and safe bathroom floor.
Selecting Appropriate Replacement Wood
The bathroom environment presents unique challenges for flooring materials. Moisture, humidity, and foot traffic can all contribute to wood degradation. Therefore, it’s essential to select wood species that are resistant to these factors.
- Teak: Renowned for its natural oils that repel water and its inherent durability, teak is a top choice for bathroom floors. It’s naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestation, making it a long-lasting and reliable option. However, teak can be expensive.
- Ipe: Another incredibly hard and dense wood, Ipe is highly resistant to moisture and decay. It’s a popular choice for outdoor decking due to its resilience, but its durability also makes it suitable for bathroom floors. However, Ipe is also quite expensive and can be challenging to work with.
- Cedar: Known for its distinctive aroma and natural resistance to decay, cedar is a good option for bathroom floors. It’s a softer wood than teak or Ipe, but its natural oils and durability make it a suitable choice. Cedar is relatively affordable compared to teak and Ipe.
- Redwood: Redwood is a durable and moisture-resistant wood, making it suitable for bathroom floors. It’s also a visually appealing wood, with a rich reddish-brown colour. Redwood is a good option for those seeking a balance between durability and affordability.
- Engineered Hardwood: This type of flooring consists of multiple layers of wood, with a top layer of hardwood veneer. Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid hardwood and less susceptible to warping and cupping due to moisture fluctuations. It’s a good option for bathrooms, but make sure the top layer is made from a moisture-resistant wood species.
Cutting and Preparing the Replacement Wood
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate wood, you need to cut and prepare it to fit the damaged area.
Safety First: Always wear safety glasses and gloves when working with power tools.
- Measure Twice, Cut Once: Carefully measure the damaged area and mark the replacement wood pieces accordingly. Ensure the pieces are slightly larger than the hole, allowing for a snug fit. Use a pencil or marker to clearly mark the cut lines.
- Precise Cuts: Use a circular saw or jigsaw to cut the replacement wood pieces along the marked lines. Ensure the cuts are straight and precise to ensure a seamless fit.
- Smooth Edges: Once the wood pieces are cut, use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. This will help prevent splinters and create a more polished finish.
Installing the New Wood, How to repair rotted wood bathroom floor
There are several methods for securing the new wood pieces to the existing floor.
- Screws: Screws are a strong and secure way to attach the new wood. Use screws that are long enough to penetrate through the new wood and into the subfloor. Countersink the screws to create a flush surface and cover the holes with wood filler.
- Nails: Nails are another option for securing the new wood. Use galvanized nails, which are resistant to rust. Drive the nails at an angle to increase their holding power. Be careful not to hammer the nails too far, as this can split the wood.
- Adhesives: Wood adhesives can be used to bond the new wood to the existing floor. Apply a bead of adhesive along the edges of the new wood and press it firmly into place. Ensure the adhesive is suitable for bathroom environments, as some adhesives are not moisture-resistant.
