How To Level Old Floor For Hardwood

Hardwood floor installation can be slowed by an uneven subfloor.

How to level old floor for hardwood. Thoroughly vacuum the existing floor and use a long floor leveler and tape measure to ensure the subfloor is level within 3 16 inch for every 10 feet. Just sand any high spots and fill the low spots with leveling compound. Hardwood floor installers often use the term level when referring to subfloors when actually they are meaning the term flat while it s desirable to have a level floor most homes. Before installing hardwood floors use a straight edge to find the humps and dips in the subfloor.

But not to worry if your subfloor is less than perfect. Position the leveling strip on the floor and see if the top edge of the strip checks out as level. You ll need to know how to level a floor. If you re replacing an old floor with a new one your first task will be to get rid of the outdated flooring material.

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. What good is a beautiful and expensive hardwood floor if it squeaks and creaks when you walk on it. Alternatives to hardwood flooring. When installing a hardwood floor the homeowner may need to level the existing subfloor.

Watch our step by step video showing how to level a wooden floor with expert advice and top tips to help you complete the job with confidence. What s worse is if boards start to stick up buckle or warp. Wood floors can be installed on any level of your home and are available in multiple constructions to allow. On the top side of the floor another fix it idea to lay down new hardwood over the existing floor.

Then using a floor leveling compound or asphalt shingles shim the dips so the floor is level. The process of fixing both an out of level and an out of plane floor is simply known as leveling a floor. And a quality installation relies on having a level subfloor. When complete this will be a spacer that bridges the gap between the old floor and the new level surface.

Adjust the strip as needed. You will have to make sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any floor coverings. The task of tearing out the old tiles.