Subfloor Preparation and Levelling in Des Moines, IA

What subfloor preparation and levelling means in Des Moines

Preparation is three separate questions. Is it flat, is it dry, and is it stiff enough. They have different fixes and one does not solve another.

Flat means within about 3/16 of an inch over a ten foot straightedge for most installs. Dry means a documented moisture reading. Stiff means no deflection between joists, which is a framing question and sometimes means a second layer of plywood.

How subfloor preparation and levelling goes down

Low spots get filled with a cementitious patch or a self-levelling compound, high spots get ground or planed. On an old plank subfloor in a Beaverdale bungalow the usual answer is a layer of quarter-inch ply over the top, screwed rather than nailed.

Squeaks are fixed at this stage and never later, by screwing the subfloor down to the joists from above while there is nothing on top of it.

Over a slab this is also where the vapour retarder is decided. Over a crawlspace, the ground below it needs a sealed vapour barrier or the floor above will cup no matter what goes on it.

What subfloor preparation and levelling costs in Des Moines, IA

Preparation is quoted separately because it is genuinely unknown until the old floor comes up. We would rather look first and quote a real number than carry a contingency into the flooring price.

Where subfloor preparation and levelling goes wrong in Iowa

The Iowa version of this is an unsealed crawlspace. Ground moisture rises all summer, the underside of the boards takes it up, and the floor cups in a pattern that follows the joists. Sanding it flat in that condition guarantees doing the job twice.

Where we do subfloor preparation and levelling

We cover Des Moines, the western suburbs, the Ankeny corridor and the older neighbourhoods inside the city, including and 18 more areas.

Questions we get asked about subfloor preparation and levelling

How flat does the subfloor need to be?

Around 3/16 of an inch over ten feet for nail-down and glue-down. Floating tolerates a little less, and then feels hollow where it bridges.

Can you fix squeaks before the new floor?

That is the only good time to do it. From above, screwed into the joists, with nothing in the way.

Does a crawlspace need anything?

A sealed vapour barrier over the ground. Without it, the floor above will keep taking up moisture every summer.

Get a price for your subfloor preparation and levelling

Call and we will come out, measure, and leave you a written quote. There is no charge for the visit and no obligation afterwards.