Techniques You Could Consider To Remedy Uneven Flooring
Posted on: 14 April 2017
Having to contend with an uneven floor is common when replacing or installing new flooring. To ensure that your new structural hardwood floor is flawless, you would have to make sure that the subflooring is smooth and even. If you are embarking on a DIY flooring project, the following are some of the techniques you could consider to remedy uneven flooring.
The use of a levelling compound
One of the easiest ways to fix uneven subflooring would be by applying a levelling compound. The compound is primarily functional if the unevenness in the sub flooring is being caused by dips. The compound comes in powder form and is mixed with water to create a paste. The paste is then applied directly into the dips in the subfloor to raise the surface. Once the compound dries, it should be sanded down to make it smooth. The levelling compound is ideal for a concrete subfloor but can also be used to remedy unevenness in wood subflooring.
It should be noted that the levelling compound should be given adequate time to cure and harden to prevent it from becoming hollow once the new floor is installed. Moreover, if the dips in the subfloor are of significant depth, it would be best to apply the levelling compounds in layers to enhance its sturdiness.
The use of plywood planks
Another effective way of making your subfloor even would be by installing planks of plywood on top of it. This technique of levelling the subfloor is best suited for wood flooring but can also be utilised if your subfloor is made up of concrete slabs. There are different ways that you could employ the use of plywood as a technique to remedy uneven flooring.
Firstly, if the unevenness is caused by a sloping floor, then you can opt to install the planks where the slope begins. Secondly, if the unevenness is caused by waves in the flowing, then you may have to install the plywood planks on the entire subfloor.
When installing the plywood planks, it is crucial to ensure that the nails you use to fasten the boards are long enough to pass through the thickness plywood as well as your current subfloor. If the nails are not long enough, there is a risk of the plywood planks becoming unsecured, and this could cause problems for your new flooring. If your subfloor is made of concrete, you would be best advised to invest in fortified bolts that would be capable of staying fastened to the concrete.
For more help, contact a company like Greenmount Timber & Building Supplies.
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