How To Level A Floor For Laminate Wood Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a type of flooring that is made of wood dust base and resin covered with a paper top layer. The flooring is designed to resemble the solid hardwood flooring but costs a fraction lower. The laminate flooring can be installed or glued down as floating systems by locking them together using groove and tongue connectors. It is necessary to level the subfloor properly before installing laminate flooring on to it because laminate flooring is less sturdy and thin than real wood flooring which makes it prone to breakage. The procedure to follow in order to level the floor for laminate wood flooring is as follows:
- Nail Down Loose Floor:
First, the user needs to nail down loose floor plywood or boards because the nails can become loose while the floor is exposed to general wear and tear along with foot traffic. The floor gives uneven appearance when several loose sections meet at the joint. The user needs to add nails on to the floor wherever necessary in order to secure the subfloor. Apart from that, the user needs to countersink such fasteners that are not flushed with the surface. - Sand Away High Spots:
The next step will be to sand away high spots of the subfloor by using a flooring edger or a belt sander. The user can rent such tools from most of the home improvement stores in order to level up his subfloor. It has been recommended to work slowly during the sanding process and while the user works, he needs to check the floor level as well. Once the floor is leveled, the user needs to vacuum all sanding dust and debris from it before proceeding to the next step. - Fill Cracks With Wood Putty:
In case there are any cracks or major voids in the subfloor, the user needs to fill them up with a self-leveling compound or wood putty. The user needs to make sure that he fills the cracks with a mixture that is designed for wood subfloors. The compound should be mixed as per the package instructions and once ready, the user needs to pour it inside the low spots of the floor. The material inside the trowel can be spread with a trowel and once the mixture dries, the user can proceed forward. - Add A Layer Of Plywood:
In case the floor is fairly level but not flat, the user can add a layer of plywood on top of the floor that evens the floor out for laminate installation. The user needs to nail down the plywood layer and the plywood sheets must not overlap. - Grind Away High Spots:
A concrete grinder can be used to grind away high spots. It can also be used to remove dried paint, drywall compound, or any other material that is affecting the level of the subfloor. The machine can be rented from several home improvement stores. - Fill Small Holes:
In order to fill in the small cracks and holes on the floor, the user can fill them up with latex cement. The latex cement can be purchased from the market in the form of a tube and has to be applied with a caulk gun. The cracks & voids need to be filled completely before wiping away the excess material.