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. It also can't have a dip of ⅛” within 2'. Level means that a floor doesn't slope in any direction. From one end of the room to the other, there is no pitch.
But, just like with any other permanent product, it's imperative that the existing floor is clean and dry, in excellent condition, and most important, level. A flat and level floor is key so that the adjoining vinyl plank flooring don't have varying heights.
You can install vinyl on many types of subfloor, including concrete and wood. But that floor must be flat for your installation to be a success. An uneven subfloor can lead to potential problems, such as planks having varying heights that will make the flooring unstable and wear down more quickly.
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. On floating floors, vertical movement needs to be kept to a minimum.
Available in sheets and tiles, vinyl flooring is easy to install and works well on uneven surfaces. Although not as flexible as carpet, vinyl still conforms easily to the shape of the floor underneath it.
Engineered wood flooring is a more traditional option that can be installed over uneven surfaces. It's made of a thin layer of solid wood on top of multiple layers of plywood. Engineered wood flooring is also relatively durable, easy to maintain, and can help retain the look and feel of an historic home.
If you have uneven floors, flexible flooring like epoxy is the best choice. This is because the epoxy self-levels itself and covers the entire floor evenly. Nevertheless, the term “best” depends on the strength of the underlayer. Soft, inflexible underlayers like cork don't work well with epoxy.
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.
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).
Luxury vinyl flooring is more forgiving than other types of hard flooring when it comes to installation on a subfloor that is less than perfect. If you attempt to install ceramic or natural stone tile on a subfloor that is not well prepared, with no bumps, blemishes, cracks, or warping, every imperfection will show.
Common Question #1 – Do vinyl floors need underlayment? Short answer is no, vinyl flooring itself does not necessarily need underlayment, however it may need depending on the acoustic requirements of the building.
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.
One way to install flooring on uneven floors is to choose a type of flooring that is naturally flexible. This makes carpet one of the most ideal options: it's cheap, easy to install, and very attractive. For only slightly uneven flooring, sturdy materials such as luxury vinyl plank can also be used for full coverage.
Pour the liquid-like floor leveler onto the subfloor and smooth it out with a trowel. Gravity will help it settle into the low areas. Remove any excess floor leveler and feather it around the edges so it blends with the rest of the floor. Let the floor leveler dry overnight or as indicated by the manufacturer.
A floating floor that is not staggered will not only look odd it will not perform well and as it expands it can even lift up like a hinge. Staggering adds strength and structural stability.
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.
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.
Uneven floors in a house are usually a sign of a foundation problem, but not always. For example, if you live in a house with a crawl space foundation, uneven floors might be a sign the support posts in your crawl space have settled, or the screw jacks have deteriorated and rusted out.
The feeling of bounce is caused by the flooring moving downward when weight is applied (stepped on). The flooring moves or bounces as it is not properly supported from underneath which puts added pressure on the flooring joints, in most cases causing them to separate, break or squeak.
A: Sagging floors are more common than you might think. In my opinion, the most common causes are wood-eating insects, wood rot caused by water leaks, undersized beams and soil settlement.
As a general rule of thumb, raised floors found in a typical home are built to support a minimum of 40 pounds of live load (i.e., the weight of non-structural objects such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) per square foot.
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.