skip to main content

Needing to replace carpet with Waterproof flooring, DIY or hire a prof

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

We need to replace our carpet with waterproof flooring (large family, spills are common, don't always catch standing water in time... so waterproof is #1). On a budget, but don't want cheap floors that won't last, so were wondering if it is worth it to DIY or if in the long-run with errors etc. may be better off hiring. Live in humid FL, hurricanes do come by here and need floor resistant to being wet for a little if we evacuated and come back to a roof leak etc.

Was also trying to figure out if to lay perpendicular to front door or parallel to longest wall. Longest wall is opposite to front door.

Also, does it make more sense to do the whole house at once, or is it ok to do hall/family/bathrooms/kitchen first then rooms? I spoke with Lumber Liquidators and they said they would add a transition piece between the hallways and the bedroom anyways, so it didn't matter if it was done at the same time or not. Is that how it usually is?

Featured Answer

jmm1837

4 years ago

From the sounds of it, you will be looking at tile. I'm not an expert, but I doubt that even the waterproof laminates or vinyl could handle prolonged roof leaks. Regardless of what you choose, though, you need to be sure you have a subfloor properly prepared for whatever goes over it. Carpetted floors are notorious for hiding the imperfections of the subfloor and you need very smooth surfaces to lay tie or vinyl.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

User
4 years ago
You need tile. From a Pro. With $$$ invested in floor prep.
Mary Burne thanked User
Related Discussions
Question for Bill or other expert about Redguard waterproofing
Q
Comments (69)
Bill, We are in the process of redoing our bathroom floor to put down tile. Before we bough tout house we knew there was water damage to the bathroom floor from a long lasting leak from the washer. We have repaired all that damage by replacing the studs in the walls, replacing the sheet rock with the moisture resistant sheet rock, and building up the floor from the joists up and topped with 3/4" Advantech Plywood. We are ready to start replacing the tile but are unsure if we need to put down cement board or redguard, or both. What do you recommend? The subfloors are all replaced with the Advantech, but we aren't sure if we can just redguard and go. Any advice would be helpful. (additional info- we are not replacing the tub/surround, we will be putting our washer/dryer in there again) Thanks!
...See More
Keep the Wood Floors or Carpet the Whole House????
Q
Comments (31)
Are you DIY'ers and do you have the time to work on the floors. If they need a total refinish, i.e. sanded to bare wood, you might look at hiring a pro to do the sanding only. It is not that difficult to stain and finish with poly. What type of wood do you have? Mine are oak with no stain, just several coats of poly. THe last floor we done, I hired the sanding and applied the finish myself - three coats of clear satin poly. It just takes time and patience. I will be happy to share the details with you if you go that route. You can do it much less than $5,000 this way.
...See More
Vinyl Flooring: Paradigm Waterproof Flooring
Q
Comments (160)
We ended up switching from an LVP to Mohawk RevWood Plus, which is a laminate that has a “WetProtect” lifetime surface and subfloor waterproof warranty, maximum scratch protection, and a lifetime “All Pet” warranty against pet stains. We are SO happy we decided to switch from LVP to this laminate, for a couple of reasons. We are still getting the water protection benefit of the LVP, while also getting the durability of a higher quality laminate, and for less money. Another huge plus, in our opinion, is that the “grain” in the surface of the laminate is visual without being abrasive. The Paradigm flooring was actually rough enough that I could not run a dust mop across the boards easily, only in the directions the boards were laid—which isn’t always the most convenient way of doing things. The laminate is enough smoother than this is not an issue, and is also MUCH more comfortable on bare feet, and gentler on socks and the knees of our little grandies crawling across it. Just my $0.02.
...See More
Need help picking up floor tile style & color
Q
Comments (2)
chiflipper- I am going to hire a professional to change the tile, and the ones who've been by have recommended doing a new shower pan and waterproofing. The issue is apparently the wrong tile was used for the shower and most of the grout is gone. There is concern about the floor not being waterproof now.
...See More
Mary Burne
Original Author
4 years ago
Most people around here with similar circumstances use LVP, so I was going in that direction and prefer it. What worried me originally is what you are confirming here, that under carpet floor may not be ready. This is why I was leaning towards a pro. I just hear of people saying how easy it was to DIY, so I wonder if it really is that easy.
SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
Things to keep in mind when thinking DIY:

1. Carpet hides HIDEOUS subfloors. They can look like a roller coaster track once you pull up the carpet...which means you MUST FIX THEM before putting down rigid flooring

2. Not all LVP is an 'easy' install. Some click edges are SOOO poor that they break every third plank...many professionals ask for MORE money because LVP can be such a pain to deal with...and the subfloor prep is $$$$$ extra

3. Lumber Liquidators is not a reputable company. Anything coming from them should be considered suspect...including design/budget help.

4. Man-made products such as LVP, engineered hardwood, ceramic/porcelain tiles, etc have a shelf life of roughly 18 months. That means you won't find more of the 'same' if you leave the purchase of 'more' to a later date.

5. If you purchase everything NOW, but decide to take on one room at a time (DIYers often think this is a good idea because they don't up-end their entire house all at once) then you are fully responsible for storing the boxes PROPERLY (must be laid flat, dry, indoors, conditioned space, etc). Many people go on to find their 'stacked' product is too badly warped to do anything with it...

So...Florida = tile as the main floor of choice. And even tile is often damaged to the point of requiring full removal/replacement after standing water (mold LOVES to grow in thinset!!!!!)

But first things first: remove carpet and assess the subfloor. You might be in for a bit of a shock...the floor prep alone can be enough to call in a professional.
Mary Burne thanked SJ McCarthy
Chessie
4 years ago
If there are seams in the flooring, then nothing will be “ waterproof “ for a roof leak.
Mary Burne thanked Chessie
Mary Burne
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Thank you! A lot of good info here. I guess I am scrapping the idea of a floor that will be ok after a hurricane (most people around me use LVP, Laminate, Congoleum, etc, so I guess everyone takes the risk). But I think I will need to hire a professional. If I had to guess, the floor below the carpet will have issues (house is almost 20 yrs old, has settled a bit). The hardest part will be finding a professional that I can trust will do a good job!

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING All Together Now: Tackle Home Projects With a DIY Co-op

By Alison Hodgson

You're in good company when you pair up with a pal to clean, organize, repair and replace

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Install a New Tile Floor

By Erin Carlyle

Is it time to replace your tile floor? Here’s how to get it done, which pros to call and what it will cost

HOUSEKEEPING Furniture Clinic: Quick DIY Glides for Sofa, Chair or Table

By Shelly Miller Leer

Smooth things over between your furniture and floor with easy glides cut from leather scraps

REMODELING GUIDES Transition Time: How to Connect Tile and Hardwood Floors

By By Any Design Ltd.

Plan ahead to prevent unsightly or unsafe transitions between floor surfaces. Here's what you need to know

REMODELING GUIDES 11 Reasons to Love Wall-to-Wall Carpeting Again

By Judith Taylor Designs

Is it time to kick the hard stuff? Your feet, wallet and downstairs neighbors may be nodding

FLOORS How to Paint Your Hardwood Floors

By Ventana Construction LLC

Know how to apply nail polish? Then you can give your wooden floors a brand-new look

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Reader Bathroom: A Plant-Filled Master Bath — No Tub Needed

By Erin Carlyle

A couple create the bathroom of their dreams with a lot of DIY work and a little help from the pros

DECORATING GUIDES What You Need to Know Before Painting Brick

By Vanessa Brunner

Sure, painted brick can be a great look. But you need to take some risks into account. Here's how to paint brick like a pro

STAIRWAYS 12 Fresh Alternatives to the Carpeted Staircase

By Between Naps on the Porch

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Hard Work Pays Off in a DIY Cottage Renovation

By Laura Garner

First-time homeowners roll up their sleeves and give their midcentury Montreal home an infusion of style and personality

Sponsored

Schlabach Woodworks

16 Reviews

Franklin County's Reclaimed Wood Professionals

More Discussions

Has anyone used CORETEC Noble Oak luxury vinyl?

0

floors for natural hickory cabinets?

7

Laminate ... wood grain or tile look

2

flooring help please

1

Do I need to water pop hardwoods if I like the stain already without w

4