The importance of sub floor preparation and what to look out for.
Any good flooring contractor will tell you that the floor coverings he/she is there to install will only ever be as good as the sub floor it is installed upon.
Signs that sub floor preparation is needed
⁃ cracks in concrete - usually indicate settling and generally will house a high spot in and around the cracks
⁃ Previous floor being carpet - carpet has the ability to hide a ton of discrepancies, and carpet installers know this. So check your flatness if carpet is being removed and a hard surface is being installed over it!
⁃ Older homes - settling of wood structured homes will almost always need some floor levelling before installing hard surfaces or floor coverings.
These are only a few, albeit some of the bigger and more obvious things to look for. As a customer, be sure to ask your flooring contractor how he/she deals with sub floor levelling. If it isn’t something that was discussed when the contractor was on site to estimate, nor is there any sign of it on the quote, be wary, as it may be a big unforeseen expense and surprise once the project has begun. This can take a hefty and unexpected notch out of your budget. As this is an expense, it is absolutely crucial to have a flat floor for a sound and structural installation that is warrantied by both installer and floor covering manufacturer.
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