5 Simple Steps to Prepare a Subfloor for Vinyl Flooring

  1. Step 1: Test the Floor for Moisture. …
  2. Step 2: Repair Holes and Cracks. …
  3. Step 3: Sand Down Bumpy Areas. …
  4. Step 4: Clean the Subfloor. …
  5. Step 5: Install Underlayment (Optional)

Can you put vinyl plank flooring over plywood subfloor?

As a general rule, you can install vinyl flooring over plywood. In fact, it’s recommended to put a ¼ inch (6 mm) layer of plywood on top of the subfloor you’re installing the vinyl on to.

Should I seal my subfloor before installing vinyl plank flooring?





Subfloor sealing is not required. It is not even recommended, but if bonding is a concern, dont seal the subfloor. Instead, use some clear-set thin-spread vinyl tile adhesive to aid the tile in bonding to the subfloor.

Can you put vinyl flooring over subfloor?

Can I install vinyl flooring over wood, plywood, particleboard or chipboard? You can install vinyl over wood floors if you put a plywood subfloor on top of it. Do not install glue down or peel and stick products over particleboard, chipboard or any form of embossed floor.

How smooth should subfloor be for vinyl planks?

Subfloors must: Not slope more than ½ inch per 6 feet (25 mm per 1.8 m) Be structurally sound.

Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring on plywood?

There’s no need for a moisture barrier underlayment on plywood. It’s more important that the underlayment dampens sounds and feels comfortable. An underlayment that offers more cushioning is Armstrong® Flooring Quiet Comfort™.

What kind of subfloor do I use for vinyl planks?





Plywood is often the most commonly used type of underlayment in vinyl plank flooring installation. Sheets of 4×8 foot plywood, usually ¼ to ½ inch thick tend to be an excellent flooring underlayment for many subfloors including wood, tile, and linoleum.

What do you put on floor before vinyl flooring?


Quote from Youtube video: If your flooring does not have an attached underlayment we recommend rolling one over the tile. This will help keep your flooring from sounding hollow when you walk on it.

What to use to fill cracks in subfloor?

A floor leveler is a cement-based product that either comes pre-mixed or can be mixed with water; a floor patch is usually used to fill small holes, gaps, and cracks. You can apply these products as you would with any other subfloor filler.

How thick should subfloor be for vinyl planks?

When you install your vinyl on a wood subfloor, the top plywood should be a minimum of 1/4″ thick. For most subfloors, you will need to add an extra layer of wood. To do this, measure and cut the plywood to fit your room.

Can you put vinyl plank flooring on uneven floor?



In fact, vinyl flooring works great, even on uneven surfaces. You can install a vinyl plank over a slightly uneven floor. However, for vinyl flooring installation, you need to ensure that your subfloor is clean and level. This may involve the use of a sanding or self-leveling compound.

How level does my floor need to be for vinyl plank flooring?

Prep your subfloor so that it’s clean, dry and level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Use a self-leveler on low spots and/or sand high spots of wood or concrete. Don’t sand vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos.

Does my floor have to be perfectly level for vinyl plank flooring?

What is this? If you’re installing vinyl planks on top of a concrete floor, the standard tolerance required is for the floor to be level to 3/16” within a 10′ radius. It also can’t have a dip of ⅛” within 2′. Level means that a floor doesn’t slope in any direction.

How do you level a subfloor for vinyl?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Two millimeters over a length of one meter. Using one of your vinyl planks you can easily detect any differences in height use the leveling compound to smooth out any minor irregularities.

How do you level wood subfloor for LVP?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And i just i just to be sure i went through and i kind of checked with my level to make sure it's not rocking and it's not really rocking so that's why i'm just going to float this out a little bit.

How do you fix uneven subfloor on vinyl planks?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So we could sand it. Or we can use what we call a planer and plane it down let's go take a.

How do you level an existing subfloor?

Pour the liquid-like floor leveler onto the subfloor and smooth it out with a trowel. Gravity will help it settle into the low areas. Remove any excess floor leveler and feather it around the edges so it blends with the rest of the floor. Let the floor leveler dry overnight or as indicated by the manufacturer.

How do you flatten a subfloor?



Here are some of the solutions that I have come up with or have been suggested: Using shingles and felt paper to fill in low spots. Cut shims and place in-line with floor joists, then use a leveling or patching compound screeded to the shims. Nail flooring at shims, then use trim head screws in between.

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.

What should I use to level plywood subfloor?

Wide sags and depressions in a floor sometimes can’t be adequately bridged even by sheets of plywood, so it’s best to fill these areas with self-leveling compound. When mixed with water, the compound settles into low areas and dries to a smooth, level surface.

How do you prepare a wood subfloor for self-leveling?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So we're going to show you how in a few steps here today some critical things that you would want to do in order for this to be a successful self-leveling underlayment pour over a wood subfloor.