To lay flooring on uneven floorboards, you must first level the surface.
Laying new flooring directly onto uneven floorboards can lead to instability, squeaks, and damage to the new floor over time. Therefore, the essential first step is to address the unevenness of the existing surface.
According to the provided reference, preparing an uneven subfloor involves leveling the surface first. This foundational step is crucial for creating a suitable base for the new flooring material.
Methods for Leveling the Surface
The reference specifically mentions two primary methods to achieve a smooth and stable base on uneven floorboards:
- Using Self-Leveling Compound: This is a flowable mixture that, when poured onto the floor, spreads out and creates a flat surface by filling low spots. It's particularly effective for minor to moderate dips and inconsistencies across the floorboards.
- Using Plywood Underlayment: Installing sheets of plywood over the existing floorboards provides a new, flat surface. This method can help bridge small gaps and level out less severe undulations in the subfloor.
Both of these techniques are used to create a smooth and stable base that the new flooring can be installed onto securely.
Additional Considerations
Beyond leveling the base, the reference also suggests other approaches to help manage areas with unevenness:
- Consider Thicker Flooring: A thicker flooring material might be slightly more forgiving over very minor inconsistencies that remain after leveling, although proper leveling is still the recommended primary step.
- Adjusting the Installation Method: Depending on the type of flooring being installed (e.g., solid wood, engineered wood, laminate) and the specific conditions of the subfloor, modifying the installation technique in certain areas might be necessary to accommodate slight variations. However, this is generally done after attempting to level the surface as much as possible.
In summary, the core requirement for laying flooring on uneven floorboards is to first level the surface using methods like self-leveling compound or plywood underlayment to establish a smooth and stable foundation. Considering thicker flooring or adjusting the installation method can be supplementary steps.
