DIY: Damaged Plywood Subfloor Repair/Patch

I hope you found this video helpful and also that you were able to save some money! If you would like to show your appreciation you can use this paypal donation link. Any money donated will be put into my two sons Education Savings Fund.
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I made this video to show the process I use to cut out and repair and broken, damaged or weak section of plywood subfloor.
If you have any questions or maybe some good tips, leave them in the comment section.

[@darkstar5528]

3:20 sound warning

[@colchilibeck]

Good call!

[@modernNeanderthal800]

Nicely done! You showed the same kinda care that most people will want to show with their own home/ things

[@AeroPR]

Thanks for showing the whole process. Have a squeak that is not going away with screws so I am getting the courage to cut over my second floor subfloor and figure out what is the source.

[@SG-tv5jy]

If the cut board is stubborn with a pry bar, or the seam is too tight you can drive a screw into the board and use it as a handle to pull it out with a claw hammer.

[@colchilibeck]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing.

[@dogscratchedoor]

Really helpful. Esp - sawing technique, gluing, and boxing-in on joist. I never saw that and it makes so much sense. Thank you!

[@specialtedprops3116]

Nicely done man. Found the exact same problem in my son's room after I ripped out the old carpet. Thanks for the tips. Saved me alot of time and money

[@jayhensley4049]

I have a modular home and those are a real pain in the rear end the flooring they use in those is like a dust board. I only have a couple small spots that are damaged in Weak and I'm doing the repair of the same exact way but using three quarter inch plywood. Excellent job my friend

[@anticapitalize]

Tip for next time - the best way to prevent subfloor squeaks is to use subfloor glue and screw, not over-screw. Also a good idea to seal around that forced air dam while it's exposed to reduce leakage.

[@colchilibeck]

anticapitalize those are great tips! Thanks for the comment!

[@noelsmith9425]

@@colchilibeck What is subfloor glue? Do you have a name and link?

[@Murican-Faith]

Noel Smith Pretty much wood glue, loctite, gorilla glue for construction, liquid nail glue

[@henrycodm896]

So appreciative of this video as someone who really wants to learn this stuff without judgement!! Thank you!

[@justinegrayson2352]

You skipped over the one part I really needed to see -- actually putting in the support pieces or boxes. Thanks anyway though. I admire anyone willing to make a video and put it out there for the rest of us to learn from.

[@colchilibeck]

Justine Grayson To box it in just simply screw 2x4s against the floor Joist. Just make sure that the 2 x 4 is the same level/height as the floor joist so that the new floor panel is level/flush with the subfloor

[@andrewguilz2104]

What type and what length of screws did you use? Thank you!

[@qaguy1982]

​@colchilibeck Depending on the age of the house, you may not be able to get a perfect match for the plywood thickness. Typically a new 3/4" plywood might be 21/32". By setting the 2x4s a bit higher, you can accommodate for a thinner subfloor board.

[@stevelopez372]

Great job, and I saw the plug for Timberland Sox. Lol.

[@tonyshea8105]

Very helpful video for my upcoming project this weekend. Thanks!

[@frankbullitt4556]

Very nice work. Nothing wrong with over kill. Thank you

[@mikethomas7138]

This was very helpful. i am sure they all do it this way, but I was about to cut a floor and attempt to straddle the beam and then put in a new piece drilled into that beam. The 2x4 nailed to the side, and voiding the beam all together, that's just brilliant. Like i said, they all probably do it that way, but this was the first time i learned that trick

[@TheRaularya]

If there's ever a tornado or a hurricane depending on where you're at I know for a fact a hundred thousand percent that that peace is not going to be separated

[@BackInBlack88]

Next time you’re cutting out the flooring, avoid putting your body onto the cut out section...

[@hbofbyu1]

You skipped the screwing in part. What kind of screws and what length?

[@user-lk3io2rt5c]

This was incredibly helpful, thank you!

[@donwolfjr1]

Great video, thank you!!! : ) Don W., Ohio

[@rss112]

Thanks dude, I’ve got the same problem. Boards have been layed badly at our new home which has left loads of soft spots.

[@normbograham]

I love old houses. So, when I cut down to a joist, there is a subfloor, that's about 3/4, and another finish floor of 3/4. Imagine how shocking it is for me to see that flimsy plywood cut out.

[@dr123hall]

Excellent tips!

[@jimkittleson7121]

Thanks for the video. It was a big help!

[@MOAB-UT]

GLUE and SCREW. Center support was not installed well and will be a source of squeeking. It was also not necessary.

[@pukeschannel6882]

I believe you did not address the rule that subfloor plywood must span more than one joist? or did someone change that rule without telling me? People need to know about this in case they have a disagreeable inspector.

[@MegaRwiley]

Would you suggest replacing the whole piece rather than the small section? I'm about to do this in my home that has splitting particle board (not water related).

[@MegaRwiley]

I'm curious, would you then install a second subfloor over top for added strength before laying new top flooring?

[@DanielFlores-kq3zj]

No, it’s usually carpet or flooring

[@stwubuy]

Good video, Thank you for posting!

[@yuzhao5825]

Hello Colin. Thanks so much for the great video! I also see some similar cracks here and I can feel there’s something pushing up against the plywood. It is mostly likely the “metal barrier” you mentioned for the forced air. Do you have any idea what is that barrier and is it okay I can feel it pushing the plywood? Many thanks in advance!

[@paulmonk7820]

Do you know how lucky you are? You had all your weight on the piece you cut out.

[@pzen]

4:37 bye bye condensate line, duct work and first floor drywall. Maybe a visit to the hospital.

[@tomkat1983]

It looks like he was kneeling on the joists

[@Msleelee9487]

I just have a small part in the kitchen I don’t want to take the cabinets out I got the leak fixed I hope I can do it 😳

[@MOAB-UT]

you can do it I did

[@alliancemediagroup9176]

Very helpful video. Thanks

[@youngtone00]

Now I'm motivated

[@beenthroughit8863]

Basically

[@tsunami8579]

U not wrong bro, good looks 🤙🏽

[@Lani481]

Very helpful. Thank You.

[@PhilSmithBonkers]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@libbybrooks9930]

How did you secure in the 2x4's? Just screw them in? What type of screws did you use? Thanks!!

[@MOAB-UT]

Wood screws. He should have GLUED as well. Everyone knows this.

[@jonandash4life98]

Thanks Bro this video helps a lot!

[@wellsnapyeah]

Very educational. Thank you.

[@nanogeekpro2]

Great video man, thank you

[@malindasmith3496]

Why do you have to box in the area with 2x4s? Can you just attach the new subfloor to the joists?

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

Malinda Smith Because that would require moving the existing screws of the section of subfloor you’re not removing, they’re already just about centered on those joists when it was originally put in, and you don’t want to risk cutting or weakening those joists. This way you box it out, sister those to the existing joists to make it a solid extension of those joists, and then screw in your newly replaced section of subfloor to those sisters box pieces. Everything is still strong and you’ve done you’re repair successfully, without weakening or damaging anything.

[@rodrickthompson2799]

Boxing in also adds extra support, and takes some pressure off of the existing joist!!!!

[@joea5183]

You want to tell people to put their depth of their saw to the thickness of the subfloor.

[@colchilibeck]

Joe A thats a very good point. Thanks for the tip!

[@jethro9341]

Somebody didn't watch the whole video...

[@ShellyWoodke1]

He states that at 6:30 ;)

[@TheRaptor700Rider]

He does.

[@rodgilderdale1827]

Awesome tutorial. Thanks. Do you also need to use PL style glue as you screw the new plywood onto the subfloor joists and 2x4’s?

[@leejim9188]

he did not talk about the construction adhesive for the new plywood to bring it together perfectly.

[@lyriapeynado8272]

Hi, I already have floor area covered with hardwood flooring. The floor is sagging in an area where the floor squeaks. What can I do? Thanks for your suggestion. Marg.

[@mathenysabrina]

The part I need to replace is under a toilet. Any suggestions?

[@normagonzalez2733]

No glue?

[@botiroti1]

Since time is money would it be a good Option to replace the whole piece of subfloor instead?

[@eddiepotts982]

not if it goes under a wall or if it's T&G. Personally I would have removed nails/screws on the adjacent plywood floor joist area and cut 3/4" away from the edge (half the width of the joist), this way the repaired section's weight is transferred onto the actual 2X10 or 2X12 floor joist as opposed to a 2X4 screwed into the side of it.

[@druglord57]

Eddie Potts good point. Wondering why he didn’t do that.

[@georgedavall9449]

He should have, and similar to what Eddie Putts said 👍😁😂

[@georgeshepherd3057]

Have you checked for wires/ pipes before cutting and wouldn't use a jigsaw better with handsaw

[@colchilibeck]

The circular saw is better as I was able to set the depth so that is just barely cut through. This limits the likelihood that a wire or pipe get cut. Also, I'd the house was built correctly, no wires or pipes should be secured to the floor.

[@stephaniediaz2479]

Anyway to repair a subfloor that is raising up underneath the laminate?

[@jeffbaker662]

Have the same issue a second story bedroom. A soft spot needs to be cut out. What do you do when a piece of plywood is raised at the seam?

[@colchilibeck]

I would try sanding/planing it down.

[@matthewellison3048]

3/4 inch plywood

[@TheRaptor700Rider]

my subfloor is only 1/2 :(

[@georgedavall9449]

Exactly! Should have pulled up all that nasty sub floor!

[@CocoChanelle-1]

Nice! 👍

[@DuncanRenovates]

Where are you from? You sound like a fellow Canadian

[@colchilibeck]

That I am!

[@clevelandrocksdzd]

Why was it cracked in the first place?

[@blawbloblaw6452]

How do you do this is you have I joists? I have to put a similar box like yours or holed a toilet, and can't figure out how to make the box strong enough. Thanks.

[@just621]

How did you end up doing this? I have the same problem with the I beams...

[@carrolloutdoors4764]

What kind of screws should i use

[@qzetu]

1 1/4 wood screws should be fine.

[@matthewellison3048]

soft spot. May be termites. Hope they didn't run into the walls.

[@colchilibeck]

Matthew Ellison nope, 100% not termites.

[@johnroberts3500]

Matthew Ellison p

[@matthewellison3048]

I think you used Drywall screws. They may break.

[@colchilibeck]

Matthew Ellison nope, 100% flooring screws.

[@joecrimp]

Can somebody help me? My bathroom floor creaks, as does the second bedroom next to it under a partition wall. I can see where the floor has warped on both sides as it bends under the line of the skirting board. I know I need to repair both sides rather than take down the wall, but in the bathroom near where it's warped there's a towel radiator. Obviously, dreaded water pipes are my concern, as is what saw I need to cut neat along the skirting boards. The floor panelling itself is some kind of thick chip board stuff. How do know thick this panelling is and how do I avoid the water pipes supplying the radiator? They could be coming from anywhere. And what saw cuts down on flooring straight down vertically alongside the wall? A circular saw will cut the outer side of the rectangle I need, but once I remove the skirting board, what do I use? Thank you

[@colchilibeck]

joecrimp sorry to say, but it sounds like you may need to hire a pro. The repair I did was simple but your repair sounds fairly in depth and the last thing you want to do is cause more problems for yourself.

[@MOAB-UT]

Did you fix it- how about a floor support underneath it like a post.

[@joecrimp]

@@MOAB-UT it was 6 years ago. I moved house since

[@MOAB-UT]

@@joecrimp Hope your new house has strong floors!

[@joecrimp]

@@MOAB-UT I bought an older place. It has concrete floors. Much better, more solid, warmer and more sound proofed

[@EurekaRecycler]

PVC sprinkler system?

[@jeromegarcia5396]

Things are cheap these days, in a fire metal would be more durable, probably hold better psi...

[@bigbuht]

It’s specially designed cpvc designed for sprinkler systems,old metal piping rusted and could cause sprinkler to be ineffective or just not work at all,also it has cut the cost of installation tremendously but in most cases is still only approved in residential installations

[@samanthacollins7114]

Do you do installations?

[@georgedavall9449]

Samantha, what a beauty!

[@jaredseymore3906]

This guy and basically man. Good video though.

[@TheRaptor700Rider]

what

[@franksuhuang6]

👍👍🌹🌹

[@anthonytausig6820]

Do you have an email? We are currently trying to figure out what to do with out floor.

[@MakeWithMike]

Hey bro check out my osb removal Tips I invented half of it it was a new floor almost with 3 "inch nails

[@jeromegarcia5396]

To many screws overkill, but the frickin thing ain't going nowhere, and the next human in the future is gonna go dear God why they use 100 screws 😂

[@MrSteeDoo]

basically...basically

[@he-got-a-new-mommy]

cpvc

[@theandroids]

dont you just love when "builders" do dodgy work and know it will cause issues in the future that you now have to repair. DON'T FORGET to tell people to use the CORRECT screws to use. Wrong screws will cause squeaking.

[@kinneydyt]

What are the correct screws?

[@stevelee838]

@@kinneydyt chipboard screws!?

[@TheRaptor700Rider]

@@stevelee838 for plywood?

[@xenophon1841]

Good so far but bro you need to edit out your sawing no need for the mic to be picking up all that noise

[@georgedavall9449]

Wow, where to begin? Ok video, and you sound like a decent dude, but who da phuck works in socks? Rolling shutter, not showing any of the work done, but over talking it! Well, you did show the cutting out of the small piece of sub floor. You should have taken a larger chunk out, or better yet, replaced the whole thing! 5/8 is a little substandard, but, YMMV. I did see you in knee pads, and some tennis shoes later in video. I wish you well, but if ya want professional results, ya gotta try to act professional. I may be coming across harsh, but I see a lot of promise in you, but room for improvement as well, and only meant as constructive criticism. Stay safe and Healthy! Peace! 👍😁🇺🇸

[@colchilibeck]

Constructive criticism accepted. This is our home that we were living in at the time. We had plywood subfloors and even a fly wood dining table for 6 months. I got used to walking around in socks lol. I also didn’t have a tripod so it would have been much more dangerous doing the work while holding a phone. Thanks again for your input! 😊🇨🇦

[@georgedavall9449]

@@colchilibeck Thanks for your kind reply Colin. I CAN appreciate it’s your Home and you are documenting it, so I may have come across a bit caustic? If I did, forgive me. I see so many videos On YT, displaying unsafe practices, and giving out false or misleading information. This can have an adverse affect on somebody watching, and trying to learn how to do a project or job. Please try to work safe and stay Healthy. Peace! 👍😁🇺🇸

[@robbietoy9138]

You’ve got smegma

[@jeromegarcia5396]

I wouldn't be on my knees nor cut slow, use the front of your saw guide, looking at the saw and line is not going to teach you how to use your guide.

[@teachyourkid]

You have no face mask on: you are breathing all that into your lungs....

[@mikebythesea45]

Hardening up the lungs for Covid. Covid stands no chance in wood workers and welders lungs.

[@teachyourkid]

@@mikebythesea45 Ah, come on....I have friends with scarred lungs from Covid.