Floor tile

If you don't mind; I'd like to jump in here. I have a 1/2" plywood subfloor in the bath I'm now remodeling. It's in pretty good shape; level and firm. But, I'm not comfortable putting tile on it (although that's what the builder had done previously - I just ripped out his tile job for this remodel - it was just thinset). I'm considering a self-leveling product or covering the plywood with Hardiebacker. I've been working with this product and feel like I've got it sussed. What is the best way to adhere it to the plywood? Are the standard attachment screws OK? Should I use the self-leveling product over it - under it? Or, should I just shim and tack it? The original builder's job was quite prone to tiles and grout popping and, I don't want that again. Thanks, Tom

Tom, if all you have is 1/2" subflr then nothing will ever work for you. You need another 5/8" over the top of that and then Ditra. Use self leveling compound if you need it and then the ditra over that. Don't try to secure any cement board over SLC, it won't work.

Make sure all the voids are filled along the walls and dams are put up. SLC has a way of finding the first floor in a hurry

BTW use a modified thinset to install the Ditra and the tile. Reading to far into Schluter handbooks can get confusing