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How to level difficult subfloor situation?

Discussion in 'The DIY Room' started by wildwest, Feb 4, 2015.

  1. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    I need to identify the right tool for dear husband to level two humps between subfloors for upcoming laminate flooring.

    One room is particle board, the next is plywood, two 48" transitions. Both are previous exterior door jambs extended width wise for the room addition by the previous owner.

    The previous exterior door jambs also include 1" vertical felt in several places and includes more particle board and expanding foam. PS, we did not do this addition, it was done by a previous owner. And you are right, no permits or inspections required here......

    There are no big box stores here for us to rent a tool from, looking for something that we can use in the future for other projects as well for construction and remodel.

    Thanks for any suggestions!
     
  2. badbob

    badbob

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    Hi.I think you have mentioned this before,think you need to post some pictures to the guru people can help,it may be as simple as cutting out a section,but I cannot picture it.However to "level" things underneath layment(also can be used to taper/level to different levels) products are made that you use like plaster.The one I have used is-armstrong s-184.Once you put it down on floor it is like rock.Bob.
     
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  3. NW Walker

    NW Walker

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    Look up Self-Leveling Underlayment.
     
  4. Butcher

    Butcher

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    Hard to visualize. Are you saying you have a small toe tripper where the addition transitions to the main house? How you deal with it depends a lot on which way you are going to run the new flooring. A pic sure would help. How much of a height difference?
     
  5. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    I can't follow either. Post a pic.

    Maybe self leveling epoxy/concrete? If there high spots will a belt sander and rough paper take them out or better yet an electric plane?
     
  6. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    thanks, apologize for no pics. Will try to get one tonight from hubbys phone.
     
  7. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    yes

    This is the best pic I have at the moment. Big room is the addition, where those cupboards are in the back is the original house. To the right and left of the opening used to be exterior doors. (behind the blonde dog and infront of the black floor fan).

    [​IMG]
     
  8. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    OH, hope not cause more confusion, the old house 3/8" layer under the tile and the tile are both gone now, so the floor levels are darn close.
     
  9. ironpony

    ironpony

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    if they are close, self leveling epoxy or floor leveler, a concrete product.
     
  10. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Thank you. I think though we need something scrape down the high edges first.
     
  11. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Use an electric plane then self leveling epoxy then.
     
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  12. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    A tool like this is what I am talking about.
    http://m.harborfreight.com/3-1-4-qu...r-91062.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

    It has depth adjustments to take a little or a little more.

    Now I am not saying this is a good one or anything I recommend buying i just used HF as a place to start cause I like their tools for one time uses like this. That said I would probably buy it and give it a shot, if its junk return it.
     
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  13. Butcher

    Butcher

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    What kind of flooring are you installing? Oh, and not to be a wise guy but how much is pretty darn close. I don't own any tape measures with that measurement on them.:D
     
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  14. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    :rofl: :lol:

    Laminate flooring. walkway behind blonde dog is 3/8" to 1/4". Walkway infront of black fan is 3/8" from what I can eye laying down on the floor. The toe trippers is are up to 1/2" above BOTH floors.

    48" walkways on right and left, middle is all kitchen island, cabinets shimmed ok for the two floors.
     
  15. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    How about the circular saw on shallow on the toe trippers? parallel cuts and chip it out?
     
  16. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    You could do that but won't be very smooth.
     
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  17. My IS heats my home

    My IS heats my home

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    If DH has a laser he can shoot all the areas of the floor to see where exactly the discrepancies are.
    If you are using measurements of 1/2" and 3/8", thats alot out of level for a transition area.

    Alot of the guys are on the right track with self leveling for a laminate floor. A thinner laminate floor
    will show alot on an unsmooth subfloor, meaning the work done under the laminate should be smooth.

    I'm still confused as to what areas of the transition (from old house to addition) are not lining up.
     
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  18. Butcher

    Butcher

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    Assuming you are running the flooring from left to right in your pic even a quarter inch may be to much. I would check with the flooring mfg. as to what is an acceptable height difference. Might have to double up on the underlayment pad they recommend. A cheaper way to do it would be to just custom make some transition strips for the 2 doors and the large opening. I have made many for a friend that is in the flooring biz and it is pretty simple to do. Find a wood type and stain that matches the flooring, rip the wood to 2 inch widths and router a rabbit of the needed depth on 1 edge and either route a bull nose or a angle on the other. I looked in my drop off box to get a pick but I musta burned them in the stove. Another solution would be just add underlayment to the low areas till all was the same height. Depends on budget and how picky you are about the final outcome of your project. If you had the money and someone who could supply the materials Gyp Create would be the fancy way to go. On many of the commercial building I used to work on it was always used but is pretty pricey.
     
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  19. lukem

    lukem

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    I still can't visualize what is high and low.
     
  20. lukem

    lukem

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    Ardex feather finish is good stuff for going under laminate. Any irregularities under the floor will project thru...so make sure it is super smooth.
     
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