How To Level Up Hardwood Floor

Otherwise lay a very straight metal bar or wood board on the floor and place a level on top.

How to level up hardwood floor.

If the bubble is off raise the low end until it s level. Pound nails into the subfloor with a hammer and set screws slightly below the surface of the subfloor with a screwdriver. Use screws to secure the leveling strips to the floor every 16 inches. If the level is in the bubble you re ready to go.

Mix the floor leveling compound with water in a bucket following the manufacturer s directions. 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 plywood subfloor will bridge any minor waves in the existing floor and leveling compound would help too. If the subfloor is the same in both rooms connecting the two rooms with an even floor shouldn t be difficult.

Be suspicious of wood posts set on dirt floors or wood posts with concrete poured around the post bases. Pour a generous amount of mixed leveler onto the subfloor focusing on one or more wavy areas. As the posts slowly rot and melt into the floor the house settles accordingly bottom to top. 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.

To do this simply cut several leveling strips the same size as the original strip. If an engineer found no structural issues you may be able to level the floor by applying a cement based self leveling floor product such as henry level pro self leveling underlayment available. You can leave linoleum or sheet vinyl in place if it s difficult to remove or if removal would damage the sub floor. This will expose the subfloor underneath which is where most leveling problems lie.

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. If the floor slants irregularly cut strips that bridge the cap at each floor joist. Pass a long carpenter s level or. Clean it well with a wet dry vacuum.

The thickness of hardwood flooring boards is known as the profile and profiles vary. If your house is built over a basement first inspect all of the basement support beams and posts where they meet the floor. To do this you ll want the longest level you can find.