lay vinyl tile on patched holes in plywood

charotte

worker laid thick plywood floor with the 'wrong ' or bad side of the plywood up, i.e. the plywood had the black knots facing up. The rotted knots were carved out leaving 'holes' up to 1/8 inch deep. When I told the contractor, he told his worker to fill the holes with joint compound. the worker will be laying stick -on vinyl tiles on the plywood and I am afraid I may have problems down the line. The contractor swears there will be no problem when they lay the vinyl tile. the contractor is an honest guy, but is he correct? Or should i insist he have his worker turn the plywood over. (It is screwed, not nailed down).The holes are about 2 to 3 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide and maybe up to 1/8 inch deep. The plywood is a t least 3/4 inch thick.

rusty baker

It won't last. Joint compound will crumble and fall apart. Moisture and foot traffic will destroy it in no time.

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"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

DannyT

if you are paying for the job it should be done right. if the guy has workers that don't know what side of the plywood goes up that is his fault. are you sure the wrong side is up? maybe the contractor bought cheap CDX plywood that isn't smooth on either side. if he swears that drywall compound will cause no problems then he is not as honest as you think.

rusty baker

He could be honest and just stupid.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

oh'mike

You are describing CDX subflooring----the setter should staple an underlayment grade plywood over the top of that---

1/4" multi-ply is one brand--(hardwood ply with water resistant glue--no voids)---Luan ply is a poor choice --the ply falls apart quickly if it ever gets wet---

Sounds like your 'nice guy' has little or no flooring knowledge-----pay for the underlayment if needed---or tell the fellow to let you get a pro installer of your own----His work will fail----

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joecaption

Any flaws below the flooring are just going to show through the top layer.
Peel and stick is the lowest of the low when it comes to a finished floor.
Without that layer of 1/4" it's sure to fail.
Only place I ever would have used CDX is as sheathing on a roof or outside wall.
Way to many far better option for subflooring.