If your question is, “Should I try to remove the backer board and leave the plywood in place?” the answer is, “Yes.” Unless the plywood is warped or damaged, that would be my first choice. It should be relatively simple to pull up the backerboard from the plywood, although there will be a million fasteners.

Do you have to remove old backer board?

Undamaged cement backer board does not need to be replaced. If tile has not been attached directly to the backer board, and it has not been dented or punctured, it can be reused without any special preparation.

Can you put plywood over backer board?





Leave a 1/4″ gap between the backer board and walls and 1/16” gap between the sheets of backer board. Mix up and apply a modified thinset to a large enough area of the plywood subfloor to cover each piece of backer board using a 1/4″ x 1/4″ notched trowel.

How do you remove backer board from plywood subfloor?

Insert the tip of a pry bar into any crack or seam under the backer board. Pry up enough to get a grasp on it with both hands. Pull the backer board up and off the floor. Don’t worry if it breaks into pieces.

How do you remove cement board from subfloor?


Quote from Youtube video: And so here are the tools that we're going to use. First off we're going to use a hammer. And a chisel and then we also have this other chisel that's a little bit wider.

Can I just screw down cement board?

Doing this will require that you remove the existing surface material before installing backer board over the studs. Cement board can also be used on countertops when laying tile. However, the process will involve using an extra sheet of backer board. Never use standard screws when installing cement board.

Can I tile over old cement board?





If the boards appear to be in good shape and firmly adhered to the floor, you can re-use the old backer boards for your new tile installation. However, you still need to prepare the boards for installation, taking them back down to the bare cement board.

Can I use backer board for subfloor?

Installing HardieBacker Cement Board to a wooden subfloor is as simple as that! HardieBacker Cement Board can be used with nearly any kind of tile, whether ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone. Here’s how to add your tile over your HardieBacker Cement Board: 1.

Do you have to put Thinset between subfloor and cement board?

Thinset is going to create a solid surface under tile and prevent flexing that could lead to cracking. Using thinset between the backerboard and subfloor will create additional strength, fill in any potential gaps that exist and lessen the possibility of movement.

Can you install cement board without Thinset?

Not only is thinset a critical component underneath cement board but the other critical component is the fasteners. And you won’t have the fasteners if you are trying to install it over concrete.

Can I screw cement board to subfloor?



Cement board can be installed over a plywood subfloor using an appropriate construction adhesive and screws for a quicker project that’s less messy than taping and mudding.

Can you tile directly on subfloor?

Tile can be laid on plywood. But do not install tile directly on the plywood subfloor itself. Use an intervening layer of a sheet of thinner plywood.

Do you nail or screw Hardie board?

James Hardie prefers and recommends installation of HardiePlank® lap siding by the blind nailing technique, such that fasteners are hidden by the course above. Fasteners shall be installed between 1 in. and 3/4 in. from the top edge and no closer than 3/8 in.

Do you need plywood behind hardie board?



Fiber cement siding should be installed over plywood, OSB, or sheathing. Be sure that the siding installed is dry. Otherwise, it might shrink at butt joints.

What do you fasten hardie board with?

Fasten the siding – You can fasten it with a pneumatic nailer or nailing by hand. You can use corrosion-resistant screws, or you can use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails. You can nail the siding by either blind nailing it at the top or face nailing it at the bottom.

How do you attach things to hardie board?

Generally speaking, items can be attached to Hardie® siding by using either corrosion resistant nails or screws. The fasteners must be long enough to go through the siding and into wood or metal substrate (e.g. sheathing or studs).

Are drywall screws OK for cement board?

You don’t want to use regular drywall screws for cement boards. They can corrode, they can break down the edges of the boards, and they won’t drive in flush properly. Use ITW’s ROCK-ON and BACKER-ON screws instead.

Do you need special screws for cement board?



To attach the cement board to the studs, you’ll need special 1-1/4 in. cement board screws (see Fig. B). These screws have a coating to resist corrosion, a special wide head with cutting flutes and hi-low threads for a strong grip. If you can’t find them at a home center, call tile specialty stores.