I always thought you could just slap down LVP over any old subfloor

Did a tear-out on a job in Tempe last week and found the previous installer put it right over a plywood floor with a 1/4 inch dip. Now the new homeowner is dealing with clicks and pops everywhere. How do you guys check for flatness before you even start laying planks?

2 comments

2 Comments

nguyen.dylan1mo ago

Oh man, that "symphony of clicks" line is perfect. I found the exact same thing in a Scottsdale condo flip, just a total hack job over a wavy subfloor. The noise drove the new owner crazy, and we had to pull it all up. Now my rule is that six foot level is the first tool out of the truck. You can't just trust your eyes, you have to slide that thing everywhere. If you feel a dip or see light under it, you stop right there. Fixing it first is slower, but it's the only way to get a quiet floor.

wesley_fox921mo ago

A quarter inch dip in the subfloor? That's just asking for trouble (and a lot of noise complaints). I use a six foot level and check in every direction, marking any low spots with a pencil. If it's more than a 3/16 inch gap under the level over eight feet, you have to fix it first. Self leveler for the big dips, or a good sanding for high spots. Skipping that step is how you get the symphony of clicks they're dealing with now.