Use a long level and tape measure to check that the floor is level. Typically, the floor must be level and uniform within 3/16 inch every 10 feet. Check your wood flooring manufacturer's recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder.
Most manufacturers recommend that the floor be flat to within 3/16” in a 10 ft. radius. These measurements are consistent with most other types of floor coverings.
If your subflooring has bumps or dips you'll want to get rid of those before installing your laminate flooring. It's important that the surface is nice and flat for the laminate to be installed. You can use a floor leveling compound to any dips and let it dry thoroughly before moving on.
Most manufacturers require you to have it level to within ¼” over 10 ft. This is to insure the integrity of the floor and will affect stability of the laminate flooring that sits on top of it.
No subfloor is perfectly level, but any signs of unevenness and high or low spots must be remedied. Please follow these requirements: Subfloor unevenness cannot be greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span or 1/8 inch over a 6-foot span.
In some cases, a slight slope may be normal and not cause for concern. However, if the slope is severe or getting worse over time, it could be a sign of a serious problem that requires immediate attention. One potential risk of sloping floors is damage to the structural integrity of the home.
Yes, you can level a concrete slab yourself. But only if you have access to polyurethane foam, drills, and injection pumps.
The easiest way is to use a self-leveling compound, also called liquid floor underlayment or floor resurfacer, within sections of level-cut rails. The material flows out like thick syrup, then hardens into a smooth, perfectly level surface, sometimes in less than an hour.
Fibreboard Underlay
It works to smooth uneven floors, reduces noise, and acts as a thermal barrier. If the subfloor is uneven, fibreboard works to even dips and dents you can't level out. It's also necessary to add a DPM if you're installing fibreboard on top of a concrete subfloor.
The best flooring for uneven floors due to its attractiveness and durability is epoxy, which can also be designed to mimic a wide variety of appearances. Not only will epoxy finish out the floor, but it'll also even it out.
Begin installation by laying a plastic vapour barrier (minimum 6 mm thick) or any other manufacturer-recommended barrier on the concrete subfloor to prevent moisture from reaching the laminate flooring. Use vinyl tape to secure the barrier and keep it from coming out.
The best option for slightly uneven subfloors is a direct stick installation (involving nails & glue) if this is a viable option. Floating flooring is not recommended for uneven floors as this increases risk of the planks moving or splitting apart.
You'll typically need a vapor barrier if you're installing flooring over concrete. Therefore, in high-humidity areas, moisture will move to a relatively low-humidity area, even through concrete.
No matter which underlayment you choose, if you are installing on a moisture prone subfloor or concrete subfloor, you really need a moisture barrier underlayment. Protect your laminate flooring from moisture for years to come by installing moisture barrier underlayment.
Coverage: One 50 Lb. bag will cover approximately 40 Sq. Ft. at 1/8 In.
How much does it cost to level a concrete slab? Your favorite answer: it depends! We know, we know… it's frustrating, but it does depend on factors like the size of the slab, the severity of the damage, and the area in which you reside. On average, you are looking at about $3 – $5 per square foot.
The main things that you need to consider when choosing the thickness of your laminate floor are the evenness of your subfloor and any reason you may have to be worrying about noise reduction. If you have a subfloor that is in any way uneven, it pays off to choose a thicker laminate.
When you're installing a vinyl plank floor or any rigid type of new flooring, it's important for the underlying layer to be both level and flat. If you're installing vinyl planks on top of a concrete floor, the standard tolerance required is for the floor to be level to 3/16” within a 10' radius.
Underlayment can help smooth things out, though, but the type you choose will vary depending on your specific reasoning for wanting an even subfloor. That can make choosing the right one for you rather tricky, so here's a quick guide that should lend a helping hand in getting the best underlayment for uneven subfloors.
Apply the Leveling Cement
There is usually no need to trowel the surface, as leveling cement is fluid enough to self-level into a smooth, uniform surface. If desired, you can lightly brush over the surface of the leveling cement before it is fully hardened, which will give it a texture to patch the surrounding area.
The degree to which your floor slopes or sags indicates whether or not you have reason for concern. Typically, floors that slope 1-1/2 inches or less in 20 feet is not a problem. Floors that sag 2 inches or more in 20 feet, though, are a cause for concern.
Besides settling, the next most common reason for uneven floors is excess water under the floor or near the foundation. Even if there aren't huge puddles of water, this kind of extra moisture can still have big consequences.