As mentioned above, it's common to find slanted floors in a house more than 15 years old due to the home's foundation shifting over time. However, the uneven floor may be an indicator of a larger, unseen problem with the house.
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.
One of the primary causes of uneven floors is foundation issues. If the foundation of your home is unstable or has settled over time, it can cause the floors to become uneven. This is particularly common in older homes that were built on pier and beam foundations.
It's estimated that around 25% of homes will experience some kind of structural issues during their lifetimes. One common sign of this kind of problem is uneven floors, which are not only unattractive but can also be dangerous.
Although no subfloor is perfectly level, you should always try to get it as perfectly level as possible. This is important especially if you are installing very thin, flexible flooring like luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
Most flooring manufacturers recommend a variation of no more than 3/16 inch over a 10-foot span. Floor leveling is a relatively easy DIY project, although some subfloors with rot, insect damage, or structural issues may require professional attention.
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.
Uneven floors pose a serious risk of slips, trips, stumbles and falls. Our feet instinctively know to expect even and consistent flooring. Have you ever walked onto uneven flooring? It's a jarring experience, even if you don't fall down.
Many homes older than 15 years tend to experience some sort of foundation issue or settlement. Slab, basement, and crawl space foundations are all at risk of settlement, which can cause your floors to warp, bend, and become uneven.
Many homeowners and owners of commercial property have dealt with a sagging floor. Floors can sag for many reasons. For instance, they may sag due to the natural settling of your property or building materials over time. However, a sagging floor may also signify damage from water leaks or pests, like termites.
One of the best ways to fix the issue of uneven floor is to use floor patch product. It can be used in concrete subfloor or wooden subfloor. It is best for leveling floors that has dips, slanting issues, cracks and chipping problems.
The typical costs for repairing sagging floors start at $1000 and can go up to $10,000, with the average rate being around $300 per square foot. But this can vary depending on the extent of the damage and materials needed to get the job done.
Owners of old homes might learn to experience springy or slanting floors as part of the charm, but they are signs of structural damage. As a home buyer, look at whether the floors pitch at all or take a piece of string to test the floor's deflection.
Uneven Floors Are Common in Older Homes
It's important to remember that uneven floors are more common in older homes or homes older than 15 to 20 years. But structural issues are common in some states including Texas due to how the ground moves.
The cause is usually settling or shifting of the foundation underneath the floors. If the floor beams and joists are made from wood, like the ones above a crawl space, they will usually bend rather than crack. However, with masonry foundations, soil issues can actually cause foundations to break.
It can be heartbreaking, but sometimes your only real choice when dealing with foundation issues is to walk away. If the seller won't make repairs, the damage is too extensive or you can't wait for repairs to be completed, you may have no choice but to give up and find your next dream house.
Dangerous flooring conditions include:
Uneven or broken floors, sidewalks, parking lots, and walkways. Bunched up rugs and carpets. Ice and snow on outdoor walkways. Slippery floors due to spilled liquids or water tracked inside, as well as wax or polish.
adjective. An uneven surface or edge is not smooth, flat, or straight. He staggered on the uneven surface. The pathways were uneven, broken and dangerous. Synonyms: rough, bumpy, not flat, not level More Synonyms of uneven.
It is very important when laying floor tiles expecially when you do not have a fully levelled floor, this is where complication can arise for example your tiles and grout will start to crack, all because you didn't take time out to level your floor, something which doesn't cost much to do could cost you down the line ...
Average Cost to Level the Floor in a House
On average, you are looking at about $3 – $5 per square foot. So, for a 100 square foot slab, it would generally cost between $300 and $500.
Homeowners can expect to pay between $2 and $30 per square foot of professional floor leveling, depending on the required approach.
The best long-term remedy is “sistering”. Any competent carpenter should be able to do it. It involves lifting the floorboards and fixing additional level floor joists to the sides of the existing floor joists. The floorboards or a new timber floor are then fixed on top for a level finish.