How to Relevel a Sunken Floor: 10 Steps
A sunken floor can create several problems in your home, from tripping hazards to potential structural damages. To prevent these issues from becoming more severe, it is essential to relevel a sunken floor promptly. In this article, we will guide you through 10 steps to relevel your sunken floor effectively.
1. Assess the situation: Inspect the sunken floor thoroughly to determine the extent of the damage and identify any safety hazards. Look for cracks, discolorations, or other visible signs of sinking.
2. Prepare the area: Remove furniture and any other objects from the affected area. You may also want to cover nearby items with a dust sheet to protect them from debris during the releveling process.
3. Expose the subfloor: If necessary, remove carpeting, tile, or any other floor coverings to expose the subfloor beneath. This will allow you to assess the condition of the subfloor and determine if there are any issues that need addressing.
4. Determine the cause: Identify what caused the floor to sink in order to address it properly. Common causes include soil erosion beneath the home’s foundation, water damage or leaks, rotting wooden beams or joists, or uneven settling of a concrete slab.
5. Repair the cause: Before attempting to relevel the floor itself, address and repair any underlying issues that caused it to sink in the first place.
6. Choose a leveling method: Depending on your specific situation and budget, you may choose between different methods for releveling your floor. Some options include self-leveling compounds, using plywood or particle board sheets as shims, installing adjustable support columns underneath sagging joists, or hiring professionals for complex solutions like jacking up or stabilizing the foundation.
7. Gather tools and materials: Collect all necessary tools and materials for your chosen releveling method, such as a hammer, pry bar, power drill, level, screws, nails, shims, or self-leveling compound.
8. Prepare the subfloor: Clean the exposed subfloor thoroughly to ensure proper adhesion of any leveling materials. Remove dust and debris with a broom or vacuum.
9. Relevel the floor: Using your chosen method and tools, relevel the sunken area of your floor according to manufacturer guidelines or professional recommendations.
10. Replace floor coverings: Once the floor has been releveled, replace any removed flooring materials, such as carpet or tiles. Ensure that the surface is clean and level before reinstalling.
By following these 10 steps, you can effectively relevel your sunken floor and restore it to a safe, functional state. Always remember to address any underlying issues first before attempting to fix the visible damage on the surface.