What Is Self-Leveling and When Do You Need It Before Installing Flooring?
When installing new flooring, what is underneath the finished floor can be just as important as the flooring itself.
If a subfloor has dips, low spots, or uneven areas, installing new flooring directly over it can cause problems with the finished result. This is where self-leveling underlayment can be used.
Self-leveling is a cement-based material that is poured over certain properly prepared subfloors to help create a flatter, smoother surface before the finished flooring is installed.
1. When Is Self-Leveling Needed?
Not every flooring project requires self-leveling. Before installing new flooring, the existing subfloor should be inspected to determine whether it is flat and suitable for the flooring being installed.
Self-leveling may be recommended when there are:
Low spots or dips in the floor
Uneven areas across a room
Transitions between areas that need to be corrected
Imperfections left after removing old flooring
Subfloor conditions that do not meet the flooring manufacturer's flatness requirements
It is important to understand that flat and level are not always the same thing. Depending on the flooring product, the priority may be creating a sufficiently flat surface rather than making the entire room perfectly level.
Before deciding on the solution, the installer needs to assess the condition of the existing floor and determine what preparation is actually required.
2. Why Can't You Just Install Flooring Over an Uneven Subfloor?
New flooring does not fix the problems underneath it.
If flooring is installed over an improperly prepared or uneven surface, the finished floor may move, flex, separate, or feel uneven underfoot. Depending on the flooring system, poor subfloor preparation can also contribute to problems with joints, locking systems, tiles, or adhesives.
For example, an uneven subfloor can potentially lead to:
Movement or bouncing underfoot
Gaps or separation between flooring boards
Stress on click-lock flooring systems
Uneven transitions between rooms
Cracked tile or grout in some installations
An inconsistent finished appearance
These problems may not always be obvious immediately after installation. They can develop as the floor is used over time.
Taking the time to properly prepare the subfloor helps give the finished flooring a better foundation.
3. What Happens During the Self-Leveling Process?
Self-leveling involves more than simply mixing a bag of material and pouring it onto the floor.
The existing surface first needs to be assessed and properly prepared. Depending on the specific product and subfloor, preparation may include cleaning the surface, repairing openings or cracks, controlling where the material can flow, and applying the appropriate primer.
The self-leveling compound is then mixed according to the manufacturer's requirements and poured across the areas that need correction. It is worked into place and allowed to cure before the next stage of flooring installation begins.
The exact process will depend on the existing subfloor, the amount of correction required, the self-leveling product being used, and the type of finished flooring being installed.
This is also why self-leveling should not automatically be used on every uneven floor. Significant movement, structural issues, moisture problems, or damaged subfloors may require a different solution before new flooring can be installed.
Why It Matters
You may never see the subfloor once your renovation is finished, but it plays an important role in how your new flooring performs. Proper preparation can help prevent avoidable flooring problems and create a better finished result. When self-leveling is required, it is an investment in the foundation underneath your new floor.
Does Your Floor Need Self-Leveling?
At Pearl Knstructions, we don't believe in simply covering up problems with new flooring.
Our team assesses the existing surface, identifies areas that require preparation, and determines the appropriate steps before installation begins. Whether that involves self-leveling, subfloor preparation, or another solution, our goal is to make sure your new flooring is installed on a properly prepared foundation.
Contact Pearl Knstructions today to discuss your flooring renovation in the GTA.
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