How to Fix a Water-Damaged Subfloor: Your 8-Step DIY Guide

  1. Start by Stopping the Water. …
  2. Expose the Subflooring. …
  3. Make Your Mark. …
  4. Carefully Cut Subflooring. …
  5. Remove Damaged Materials. …
  6. Speed Up the Drying Process. …
  7. Reinforce Floor Joists. …
  8. Install Your New Subflooring.

How do you fix a soft subfloor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And pop it up box it in with two by fours put the subfloor block back on or a new piece of plywood if the other subfloor is damaged. And then screw it all back down. Now that one's done.

What can I put on a water-damaged subfloor?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So the easiest fix for us is just to cut some 3/4 inch plywood. And then laminate it on top with some more of those great flooring screws.

How do you dry out a subfloor?

The first step is to absorb any water lurking on the surface of the floor. Then, place a dehumidifier at high settings to pull out any moisture that is still in the air. If the water leak is localized in one area, make sure to isolate that area by either closing the door or blocking off the doorway with a plastic tarp.

How do you fix a wavy subfloor?

Mix the floor leveling compound with water in a bucket, following the manufacturer’s directions. Pour a generous amount of leveler onto the subfloor and spread it over the floor with a towel, allowing it to settle into low areas.

Does wet subfloor need to be replaced?

“Adequately protected from moisture, most subfloor materials can be expected to last for the lifespan of the home.” However, if the subfloor is consistently exposed to moisture, you may need to replace it after 20 to 30 years or sooner.

How do you fix water damaged plywood?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So that you can break the plywood down into smaller sections that makes it easier to tear. Out. Then you just use whatever tools you have on hand and some elbow grease and tear.

How do you dry a subfloor under a wood floor?

Use a dehumidifier placed at the highest setting possible to dry the floors. Place it in the center of the room and leave it on for at least 24 hours. Next, place fans around the room so the entire surface receives the blowing air. Place the fans at the highest settings possible.

Can water damaged wood floors be fixed?

Depending on the severity of damage, the hardwood floors may only need to be refinished. In some cases patching is required to replace the damaged boards prior to refinishing. In the worst case scenario, the entire floor needs to be removed and replaced.

How do you fix soft spots on the floor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But while you're pushing down the product inside your floor you want to gently just tap the surrounding. Areas so that you can knock all those air pockets.

Can you use self-leveling compound on wood subfloor?



If you’ve got a plywood subfloor, like many buildings do, you can leave it in place and apply self-leveling concrete directly on top of it. Once the plywood subfloor is covered, just apply the finish you want to achieve the desired look.

How do you level unlevel subfloor?

Depending on the situation, you can either sand down areas of the subfloor that are too high, or install shims beneath the subfloor so that the entire floor is brought up to the same level.

How do you fix a subfloor hump?

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How do you reinforce a subfloor?



Apply construction adhesive to the subfloor before additional plywood is laid. each joist tightens the layers and reduces the chance of future squeaks. When fastening to joists less than 8 in. tall, drive two rows of 8d nails or 2-in.

How do you fix squishy wood floors?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Areas like hallways or doorways we have a simple solution that involves drilling a small hole between planks. And injecting a two-part epoxy that expands under the floor and fills the voids in hollow.

How do you fix a soft floor in a house?

Correcting Deflection



In most cases, to fix sagging floors you will need to use jacks and support beams. This can be a tricky process to try alone so consider hiring a professional foundation repair team. New concrete pads with footings should be put down over existing dirt floors.

How do you fix soft spots on the floor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But while you're pushing down the product inside your floor you want to gently just tap the surrounding. Areas so that you can knock all those air pockets.

What causes soft spots in subfloor?



Three major causes of soft spots include excessive moisture, an expansion gap, an unbalanced subfloor, and pests.

How much does it cost to fix soft spots in floor?

Laminate Floor Repair Cost by Problem

Problem Average Cost
Soft Spots $150 – $450
Bubble $200 – $800
Cupping $250 – $750
Water Damage $500 – $3,000

Why is there a dip in my floor?

Floors that dip in the middle are usually caused by non-structurally significant joist deflection, but sloped or tilted floors that are straight (i.e., slope in one direction) may indicate a more serious foundation or bearing wall problem.

How do you fill subfloor dips?

Leveling low spots in concrete or wood subfloor



In order to repair low spots in wood or concrete subfloor, you’ll need either a floor patch product or floor leveler specifically made for underlayment. Floor levels are cement-based products that either come premixed or as a dry substance that you mix with water.

How do you stiffen a subfloor?



Add Plywood to the Underside of the Joists



It is a fantastic way to stiffen a plywood subfloor, and it adds life to older subfloors made of individual boards as well. If you’re working in an unfinished basement that you plan to finish at some point, be sure to take electrical wires and heat ducts into consideration.

How much can you jack up a sagging floor?

It’s important not to jack your floor too fast. If you do, you can cause the wall above the area to crack. Instead, Jack your floor slowly. As a rule of thumb, you only want to raise your floor 1/8 of an inch a day.

Will a 20 ton bottle jack lift a house?

Jacking a house typically is done with screw jacks and a lot of them. Screw jacks are manually turned with handles. Hydraulic jacks are also supplementarily used. In any case, you would want at least 20-ton jacks, and 40-ton is better.

Can sagging floors collapse?

It could take years or even decades for a floor to collapse if the damage is minor at first, but if the issue is left completely unaddressed, it is almost certain that this will be the eventual result. In the meantime, sagging floors can cause other problems in your home.