How To Level Floor Before Installing Hardwood

Leveling floors can be a diy project or left to professionals.

How to level floor before installing hardwood.

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. Level floors are critical for reducing gaps between the flooring material and substrate and preventing sagging and other structural complications. Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy.

Use a long level and tape measure to check that the floor is level. If you have very high or low spots foundation or structural problems or termite damage. How to level a subfloor for a hardwood floor install. Leveling a floor can be either a do it yourself project or a job for the pros depending on what s causing the problem.

Hardwood floor installation can be slowed by an uneven subfloor. Typically the floor must be level and uniform within 3 16 inch every 10 feet. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. When installing laminate vinyl tile or hardwood flooring it s important to know how to level a floor.

Before taking steps to level a floor you must find out why it s not level. Learn how to use a grinder. Then using a floor leveling compound or asphalt shingles shim the dips so the floor is level. If you are installing a locking or floating floor not attached to the subfloor just make sure that the subfloor is clean.