Lumpy Bathroom floor multiple issues including wooden tiles?!?

Question

My bathroom floor leaks water all over the place, the previous owner did a poor job installing the shower and bathtub, and I'm in the position of needing to rip everything out, including the floor and trying to do it over again. Under the vinyl covering I found layers upon layers of interlocked 6x6 rotting wooden tiles. WTF? Ripping them up is hard, and many are swollen from water damage causing a very lumpy floor. I'm not sure what to make of this, I can't find anything like this situation in any DIY book or video. I talked to my dad about it and he's certain it's 'high quality' flooring and that ripping it all up would be a mistake. Even if it causes a rainshower in the room below. We really want to just refurb the floor, make it super-nice with marble tiles, and put an end to the crazy rainshowers so we can fix the ceiling and wall-water damage in the room below it. A very nice DIY guide or blog posting would be appreciated on this matter.

Update:

I also have discovered that the tiles lining the bathroom walls arn't ceramic at all but are some kind of light foam material that just falls off when you press against it. I own the house. Also I'd like to know where I can buy replacement wooden tiles, and approximately how much it would cost, and if I really need them with marble flooring?

Update 2:

Took my vid cam and made a quick video so you can see the exact problems yourself and advise. http://youtu.be/1a1hNnQ2yKo

David · Answer

Hello, you have quite a mess there.
After looking at your video I have come up with the conclusion that that peeling wood is actually your plywood sheeting and not 6"x6" tile. Plywood is made up of several different layers of wood. It appears that there has been so much water seepage that the plywood has become moldy and rotted out. The pieces you were pulling up are whats left of the top layer of plywood.
Your best bet there would be to pull all plywood sheeting. This will also allow you to inspect the floor joists which also might have been affected. That black muck is actually rotted wood.
If you intend on laying marble tile you should lay a 3/4" sub floor(plywood) then a concrete backer board.

Sounds like a lot of work but is the best way in the long run. You don't really want to cover up rotted wood.
If you attempted to lay marble or ceramic over top you would probably have problems before too long.
If you need some more guidance, go to www.fixupthishouse.com          leave a comment and I will gladly help you out as much as possible

If you are having problems with shower tiles you could pull them all off down to plaster and install a tub surround.

Hope this was helpful
Good luck

Anonymous · Answer

I have ceramic tiles in my bathroom, and they are on a wood floor. There is a special adhesive you buy for this purpose. It is flexible and allows the floor to move and does'nt damage the tiles. I have used it in three different houses, and all have been great

? · Answer

rent a floor sander and take down high spots. make sure its dry and treat for mold. Hardware stores sell mold killer (check bathroom cleaner section) once dry and ready peal and stick tiles will work. 
If a lot of water damage is done this should be taken out.

? · Answer

Remove whatever flooring you need to to get to the problem first. Then determine if the floor that's left(if any) is able to be saved. Is it like a pergo flooring? Because that should probably be pulled up and a level surface needs to be achieved to establish a good solid base for whatever floor you might wish to install.

gunner · Answer

after seeing your video... YUCK ! gut it all out and put in a new floor and fix the shower ! use ceramic tile !!!! wood is an awful idea for a wet and humid environment

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Lumpy Bathroom floor multiple issues including wooden tiles?!?

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