How To Level Floor Before Installing Hardwood

Before installing hardwood floors use a straight edge to find the humps and dips in the subfloor.

How to level floor before installing hardwood.

Then using a floor leveling compound or asphalt shingles shim the dips so the floor is level. Typically the floor must be level and uniform within 3 16 inch every 10 feet. Learn how to use a grinder. Hardwood floor installation can be slowed by an uneven subfloor.

Leveling floors can be a diy project or left to professionals. Before taking steps to level a floor you must find out why it s not level. The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor. How to level a subfloor for a hardwood floor install.

Level floors are critical for reducing gaps between the flooring material and substrate and preventing sagging and other structural complications. 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. If you are installing a locking or floating floor not attached to the subfloor just make sure that the subfloor is clean. A level subfloor will help your flooring last longer and keep the finish attractive.

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. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. Hardwood floor installers often use the term level when referring to subfloors when actually they are meaning the term flat.