How To Level A Wood Floor For Hardwood

A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab.

How to level a wood floor for hardwood. Use deck screws or ring shank nails set into the floor joists to secure loose or squeaking pieces of wood subfloor material. When installing laminate vinyl tile or hardwood flooring it s important to know how to level a floor. After the subflooring is screwed tightly to the joists vacuum the floor to remove all dust and debris. If the bubble is off raise the low end until it s level.

If not your floor covering which is the solid hardwood laminate tile or other exposed flooring that goes on top of the subfloor will never be flat and level this problem can be fixed but it all depends on exactly what kind of uneven subfloor you have. If you have very high or low spots foundation or structural problems or termite damage. You will have to make sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any floor coverings. 3 set a long straightedge tool or a straight piece of 2 by 4 inch lumber.

To do this you ll want the longest level you can find. Use screws that penetrate at least one and one quarter inch into the wood joist. A subfloor is meant to be flat and level. On the top side of the floor another fix it idea to lay down new hardwood over the existing floor.

You can leave linoleum or sheet vinyl in place if it s difficult to remove or if removal would damage the sub floor. If the level is in the bubble you re ready to go. A plywood subfloor will bridge any minor waves in the existing floor and leveling compound would help too. Otherwise lay a very straight metal bar or wood board on the floor and place a level on top.

Use a six foot long straight edge and a level to find the highest spot on the floor. Self leveling underlayment products can be used on concrete floors wood subfloors that are uneven but still in decent shape and even over ceramic tile floors eliminating the task of tearing. Remove any obstacles from the floor. Use a pry bar to pull up hardwood floors one section at a time or unfasten carpet or laminate and roll it up from one end.

Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. This will expose the subfloor underneath which is where most leveling problems lie. Pound nails into the subfloor with a hammer and set screws slightly below the surface of the subfloor with a screwdriver.