How To Level A Wood Floor For Hardwood

On the top side of the floor another fix it idea to lay down new hardwood over the existing floor.

How to level a wood floor for hardwood.

A subfloor is meant to be flat and level. When installing laminate vinyl tile or hardwood flooring it s important to know how to level a floor. Clean it well with a wet dry vacuum. Remove any obstacles from the floor.

3 set a long straightedge tool or a straight piece of 2 by 4 inch lumber. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab. Use a six foot long straight edge and a level to find the highest spot on the floor. 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. 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. After the subflooring is screwed tightly to the joists vacuum the floor to remove all dust and debris. To do this you ll want the longest level you can find.

This will expose the subfloor underneath which is where most leveling problems lie. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. 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.

Pound nails into the subfloor with a hammer and set screws slightly below the surface of the subfloor with a screwdriver. Use screws that penetrate at least one and one quarter inch into the wood joist. You will have to make sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any floor coverings. Use deck screws or ring shank nails set into the floor joists to secure loose or squeaking pieces of wood subfloor material.

If you have very high or low spots foundation or structural problems or termite damage. Leveling floors can be a diy project or left to professionals. 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.