A flat subfloor is essential when installing hardwood flooring.
The first layer of wood on top of the joists is subflooring. Typically there is no real concern with leveling subfloor because it's topped with particleboard to provide a base for tile, linoleum or carpet. Hardwood floors are different. Hardwood is installed directly on top of the subfloor with no underlay. Plywood subfloor should be perfectly flat before you install hardwood. Level the subfloor with latex floor leveler and use a belt sander to smooth it out before installing hardwood flooring.
Instructions
1. Lay a piece of lumber on its edge on top of the floor. Grab it by the middle and sweep it over the floor, observing the point where the edge of the lumber touches the floor. As you move it over the floor, you will see high and low spots between the edge of the lumber and the floor.
2. Mark all of the spots using the black marker. Mark the high spots with an H. Mark the low spots with an L.
3. Dip the end of the putty knife into the latex floor leveler and scoop out a tennis-ball sized amount. Spread and flatten the floor leveler into all of the low spots using the putty knife to smash and smear it. Wait for the leveler to dry according to the manufacturer's directions on the can.
4. Grab the belt sander with both hands. Set it down flat on the subfloor and turn it on. Sand lightly over all of the latex leveler, moving the sander from side to side; let it float as you sand off all of the high spots that you marked. Blend the dried leveler and sand over the floor, moving around the floor systematically to completely sand it.
5. Check the level of the floor by sweeping the lumber over the floor again. Mark any more low or high spots; fill and sand them again until the floor is level.
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