How To Level Up Hardwood Floor

If the floor slants irregularly cut strips that bridge the cap at each floor joist.

How to level up hardwood floor.

Screw the strips into the floor joists or subfloor. Mix the floor leveling compound with water in a bucket following the manufacturer s directions. This will expose the subfloor underneath which is where most leveling problems lie. Pass a long carpenter s level or.

To do this you ll want the longest level you can find. Pound nails into the subfloor with a hammer and set screws slightly below the surface of the subfloor with a screwdriver. A plywood subfloor will bridge any minor waves in the existing floor and leveling compound would help too. To do this simply cut several leveling strips the same size as the original strip.

The thickness of hardwood flooring boards is known as the profile and profiles vary. If the bubble is off raise the low end until it s level. Clean it well with a wet dry vacuum. If the level is in the bubble you re ready to go.

You will have to make sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any floor coverings. 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. Spread the leveler over the floor with a trowel or a gauge rake so it covers each low area completely. On the top side of the floor another fix it idea to lay down new hardwood over the existing floor.

Otherwise lay a very straight metal bar or wood board on the floor and place a level on top. Use screws to secure the leveling strips to the floor every 16 inches. You can leave linoleum or sheet vinyl in place if it s difficult to remove or if removal would damage the sub floor. Pour a generous amount of mixed leveler onto the subfloor focusing on one or more wavy areas.

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. Be suspicious of wood posts set on dirt floors or wood posts with concrete poured around the post bases. 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.