How to Repair Gypcrete in a Condo (Comprehensive Guide)

Gypcrete is a common subflooring material in condominiums due to its soundproof and fire resistance. It is easier to install and lighter than concrete floors.

These are additional explanations for its widespread use in apartments and condos. Despite its many advantages, a gypcrete subfloor is susceptible to cracking and other kinds of damage.

Here are some repair options to consider if your Gypcrete is currently damaged.

How Can Gypcrete in a Condo Be Repaired?

You must first determine the extent of the damage if you have discovered that your condo’s gypcrete subfloor needs to be repaired.

A gypcrete subfloor turns chalky and soft when it begins to crack. The gypcrete eventually breaks down into fragments and may eventually separate entirely from the floor underneath.

These are suggestions for the most effective ways to fix damaged gypcrete:

• Minor damage to the gypcrete

If, following your inspection, you find only minor damage to the gypcrete subfloor, you can fix it yourself. Remove the existing floor covering to begin the repair.

Because it improves your access to the gypcrete subfloor, this is essential. Go ahead and remove any loose, possibly softened gypcrete. You will need a dust mask because this procedure is quite dusty.

You can use an air vacuum to remove the finer dust particles and a broom to clean loose gypcrete particles. After the gypcrete is particle-free, you can apply your preferred primer—like the USG Duroc Fusion Primer—and allow it to cure.

A floor patch is the next product that ought to be applied. For those who do not know, floor patches are designed to repair cracks and holes in subfloors like gypcrete and concrete.

A trowel is the most effective tool for applying a floor patch. Let it cure completely. The product in question will determine how long it takes to cure. Your floor should be as good as new when you reinstall it after it has dried.

• Serious damage to gypcrete

Unfortunately, a floor patch might not be a good way to fix your condo’s gypcrete if it is severely damaged. In this instance, tearing out the old gypcrete and installing a new subfloor would be the best course of action.

This is not a do-it-yourself process. As a result, you and your friends cannot do it over the weekend. It is necessary that you hire a qualified gypcrete installer.

Sometimes using a self-leveling gypsum capping product to seal the subfloor can be effective, depending on the extent of the damage. However, you should speak with a qualified and experienced contractor about this.

What Could Harm a Condo’s Gypcrete Subfloor?

Prior to moving on to the topic of condo gypcrete repair, we need to talk about the main causes of damage to this type of subfloor.

• Too much weight and movement

Gypcrete is a material that is lightweight. There may be benefits and drawbacks to this feature. For example, installation is fairly simple due to its light weight.

However, the same characteristic also makes it susceptible to too much weight. The gypcrete subfloor in your condo may crack if you have heavy furniture or other items.

• Age

Gypcrete isn’t the most resilient subfloor material when compared to other subfloor materials like concrete. All gypcrete subfloors eventually deteriorate and start to fall apart.

Therefore, don’t be shocked if you find some damage if the gypcrete in your condo was installed many years ago.

• Contact with Wet Conditions

Water damage can also affect gypcrete. In the event that your condo experiences natural or man-made floods, the gypcrete may become softer and more chalky as it dries.

• Bad Installation

Gypcrete that is not installed properly will not last as long as any other subfloor. This is why hiring a trustworthy contractor to install a gypcrete subfloor is always necessary.

What Indicates the Need for Repairing a Gypcrete Subfloor?

It’s not too difficult to identify damaged gypcrete in a condominium. However, these are some indicators to look for if you want to be certain that your gypcrete subfloor is damaged.

• Low Compressive Strength: You might observe that certain parts of your condo have low compressive strength when your gypcrete subfloor sustains damage.

The floor sinks a little bit deeper when you walk on it. This indicates significant gypcrete damage, so quick action is required.

• Chalky Surfaces: One of the first things you’ll notice when the gypcrete subfloor begins to act strangely is this.

Use the coin test, which involves scraping the surface with medium pressure, to ascertain whether the gypcrete needs to be repaired. The gypcrete should be fixed quickly if it breaks down readily into a chalky material.

• Cracking: Another indication of a damaged gypcrete subfloor is cracking. When the floor in your condo is removed, these are easily visible.
• Detachment from the Substrate: This indicates that a gypcrete subfloor has sustained significant damage. It is necessary to replace the gypcrete when it starts to separate from the substrates.

Is It Advisable to Purchase a Condo with Damaged Gypcrete?

When examining the condition of a condo, you must exercise caution whether you intend to live there or rent it.

As previously stated, gypcrete subfloors are found in the majority of condos due to their increased fire resistance and ability to reduce sound transmission. Nevertheless, gypcrete is prone to damage over time, and repairs can be costly.

Only if the managers and association are upfront about the damage and have agreed to cover the cost of repairs should you purchase a condo with damaged gypcrete.

If not, you ought to look into other possibilities. Otherwise, costly repairs might require you to spend more money.

Who Is Responsible for Condo Gypcrete Repair?

For years, this has been a contentious issue. The majority of condo residents argue that gypcrete repairs ought to be covered by the association.

Conversely, the condo association asserts the opposite. Regarding who should foot the bill for condo gypcrete repair, there is no clear-cut answer.

For this reason, you should constantly consult your deed, local state laws, and other supporting documentation. You can always ask an attorney for clarification if necessary.

However, the current tenant is typically responsible for covering the cost of the gypcrete repair. The association may claim that you were the cause of the harm, which is why.

Or they might blame your contractor if you have done some floor work.

Can Cement Board Be Used to Repair Gypcrete?

Gypcrete subfloors in condos can be repaired using a different do-it-yourself technique. However, you should check with the state laws before putting it into action.

This technique involves applying self-leveling mud to the damaged areas before laying a cement board—ideally a quarter-inch one to avoid thickening the floor.

Since cement board is stronger and satisfies fire barrier standards, it is the perfect alternative. Additionally, it’s far less expensive than replacing the entire subfloor with gypcrete.

To complete this repair, you will need permission from the condo association and local building codes.

It’s also important to note that this method of repairing gypcrete works best for small damages. You will be forced to replace your gypcrete subfloor if the damage is severe.