How To Level A Wood Floor For Hardwood

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.

How to level a wood floor for hardwood.

This will expose the subfloor underneath which is where most leveling problems lie. A plywood subfloor will bridge any minor waves in the existing floor and leveling compound would help too. A subfloor is meant to be flat and level. 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.

If the bubble is off raise the low end until it s level. Use a six foot long straight edge and a level to find the highest spot on the floor. Leveling floors can be a diy project or left to professionals. If you have very high or low spots foundation or structural problems or termite damage.

After the subflooring is screwed tightly to the joists vacuum the floor to remove all dust and debris. On the top side of the floor another fix it idea to lay down new hardwood over the existing floor. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab. To do this you ll want the longest level you can find.

Otherwise lay a very straight metal bar or wood board on the floor and place a level on top. If the level is in the bubble you re ready to go. 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. You will have to make sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any floor coverings.

A level subfloor will help your flooring last longer and keep the finish attractive. You can leave linoleum or sheet vinyl in place if it s difficult to remove or if removal would damage the sub floor. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. 3 set a long straightedge tool or a straight piece of 2 by 4 inch lumber.

Pound nails into the subfloor with a hammer and set screws slightly below the surface of the subfloor with a screwdriver. 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.