How To Level Floor Before Installing Hardwood
A level subfloor will help your flooring last longer and keep the finish attractive.
How to level floor before installing hardwood. Before installing hardwood floors use a straight edge to find the humps and dips in the subfloor. If you are installing a locking or floating floor not attached to the subfloor just make sure that the subfloor is clean. If you have very high or low spots foundation or structural problems or termite damage. Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy.
The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor. Hardwood floor installers often use the term level when referring to subfloors when actually they are meaning the term flat. Whether you re going on to install hardwood ceramic tile or laminate one of the most important steps of any flooring project is making sure the subfloor foundation is level. Hardwood floor installation can be slowed by an uneven subfloor.
Before taking steps to level a floor you must find out why it s not level. Leveling a floor can be either a do it yourself project or a job for the pros depending on what s causing the problem. Typically the floor must be level and uniform within 3 16 inch every 10 feet. Use a long level and tape measure to check that the floor is level.
Leveling floors can be a diy project or left to professionals. Then using a floor leveling compound or asphalt shingles shim the dips so the floor is level. How to level a subfloor for a hardwood floor install. Learn how to use a grinder.