DIY Floor Levelling: How To Level A Floor By Yourself
Whether you are going to install a ceramic tile or a hardwood flooring, first you’ll need to level the floor to install the tiles. If the foundation of the sub-floor isn’t leveled, then it will become difficult to install the tiles.
If you suspect that your subfloor isn’t leveled then you can hire services for flooring installation in Parker or if you have a little knowledge, you can do the leveling yourself. This definitive guide will help you with leveling the floor by yourself.
Remove the existing flooring
If it is an old floor that you are replacing for a new one, then you have to remove the existing floor first before you can level the floor. Hardwood floors can be removed with a pry bar while carpets and laminate sheets can simply be unfastened. In the case of vinyl and linoleum, leave them on if you think they will cause more damage to the subfloor if removed.
Check the level of the subfloor
Place 6 feet spirit levels, few feet apart from one end of the room to the other to measure the level of the floor. This will give you an idea of how much work you will have to put into the floor. Also, keep in mind that no floor is perfectly leveled and it is okay if the angle varies by an inch.
Sand down the humps on the subfloor
Sometimes the flooring material may sag or slant causing deflection in the floor level and sometimes the materials may rise above a certain height leading to humps on the flooring surface. Use an electric sander to sand down these raised irregularities or you can also use a motorized angle grinder to flatten the irregularities.
Clean the subfloor
Once you have sanded down the subfloor, clean it once again to get rid of any remaining dust and debris. Vacuum the entire floor once to make sure that there isn’t any lingering dust and debris remaining before you apply the bonding agent.
Coat with a bonding agent
After the floor has been vacuumed and cleaned, it is now time to apply the bonding agent. Use a soft-bristled paintbrush to apply a thin coat of the bonding agent, start from the edges and work your way to the center of the room. Liquid bonding agents can be pretty hard to remove when they get on something, which is why you need to wear gloves and waders when you are applying it.
Apply the leveling compound
The next step is to apply a leveling compound. Mix the leveling compound to a thick creamy consistency and then pour it over the subfloor. Start from the far corner of the room and work your way outward. For best results, pour the compound over the entire floor instead of just the dips and sunken sections.
Smooth the layer with a trowel
By the time you have poured the compound all over the floor, it will have set enough for you to finish the floor by hand. Take a hand trowel and with long arcing strokes, finish the entire floor. Also, chip away wherever you see lumps. Make sure to maintain consistent pressure all along.
Sand entire floor after drying
Some leveling compound hardens to touch in a couple of minutes but it takes several hours to cure. Before you go about finishing the floor, check the label on the product you are using to know how long you have to wait before you can finish the floor. Once the floor has dried completely, sand the entire floor again with an electric sander.
Check the subfloor level again
Once you have done pouring the compound and finished it, check the level again. The level should show a more accurate reading now. Also, the floor shouldn’t be off by more than 0.48 cm. So, when you set the floor, make sure you pour the compound properly to get the right alignment.
Whether you are going to install a ceramic tile or a hardwood flooring, first you’ll need to level the floor to install the tiles. If the foundation of the sub-floor isn’t leveled, then it will become difficult to install the tiles.
If you suspect that your subfloor isn’t leveled then you can hire services for flooring installation in Parker or if you have a little knowledge, you can do the leveling yourself. This definitive guide will help you with leveling the floor by yourself.
Remove the existing flooring
If it is an old floor that you are replacing for a new one, then you have to remove the existing floor first before you can level the floor. Hardwood floors can be removed with a pry bar while carpets and laminate sheets can simply be unfastened. In the case of vinyl and linoleum, leave them on if you think they will cause more damage to the subfloor if removed.
Check the level of the subfloor
Place 6 feet spirit levels, few feet apart from one end of the room to the other to measure the level of the floor. This will give you an idea of how much work you will have to put into the floor. Also, keep in mind that no floor is perfectly leveled and it is okay if the angle varies by an inch.
Sand down the humps on the subfloor
Sometimes the flooring material may sag or slant causing deflection in the floor level and sometimes the materials may rise above a certain height leading to humps on the flooring surface. Use an electric sander to sand down these raised irregularities or you can also use a motorized angle grinder to flatten the irregularities.
Clean the subfloor
Once you have sanded down the subfloor, clean it once again to get rid of any remaining dust and debris. Vacuum the entire floor once to make sure that there isn’t any lingering dust and debris remaining before you apply the bonding agent.
Coat with a bonding agent
After the floor has been vacuumed and cleaned, it is now time to apply the bonding agent. Use a soft-bristled paintbrush to apply a thin coat of the bonding agent, start from the edges and work your way to the center of the room. Liquid bonding agents can be pretty hard to remove when they get on something, which is why you need to wear gloves and waders when you are applying it.
Apply the leveling compound
The next step is to apply a leveling compound. Mix the leveling compound to a thick creamy consistency and then pour it over the subfloor. Start from the far corner of the room and work your way outward. For best results, pour the compound over the entire floor instead of just the dips and sunken sections.
Smooth the layer with a trowel
By the time you have poured the compound all over the floor, it will have set enough for you to finish the floor by hand. Take a hand trowel and with long arcing strokes, finish the entire floor. Also, chip away wherever you see lumps. Make sure to maintain consistent pressure all along.
Sand entire floor after drying
Some leveling compound hardens to touch in a couple of minutes but it takes several hours to cure. Before you go about finishing the floor, check the label on the product you are using to know how long you have to wait before you can finish the floor. Once the floor has dried completely, sand the entire floor again with an electric sander.
Check the subfloor level again
Once you have done pouring the compound and finished it, check the level again. The level should show a more accurate reading now. Also, the floor shouldn’t be off by more than 0.48 cm. So, when you set the floor, make sure you pour the compound properly to get the right alignment.
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