Frequently Asked Questions About Your Subfloor
Once your old flooring has been pulled up, a flooring installation company will look at your subfloor. The subfloor is the flat structure directly over floor joists that your new flooring, including tiles, hardwood, and carpet, is installed directly on top of. If your subfloor is in poor condition, it will need to be replaced prior to new flooring being installed. The subfloor is not something that most people know a lot about, and as such, you may have questions if a professional states yours needs to be replaced. Here are a few frequently asked questions about subfloors and the answers.
When Would a Subfloor Need to Be Replaced?
A subfloor needs to be replaced if it has been damaged. If the subfloor is bowing or has become uneven, the subfloor would need to be replaced. If materials were glued into place on the subfloor, and the glue does not lift away without damaging the subfloor, the subfloor will need to be replaced. Lastly, if items seeped through your flooring and onto the subfloor, and the moisture warped the subfloor, it will need to be replaced.
Are There Any Signs That the Subfloor May Need to Be Replaced Prior to Removing the Existing Flooring?
In most cases, a floor installation company does not know the subfloor needs to be replaced prior to removing your existing flooring. However, there may be a few signs that indicate that the subfloor may need to be replaced. This includes feeling dips in your floor when you walk across the floor, hearing squeaking as you walk across your floor, or smelling a mildew-like scent coming from the floor.
Why Would a Subfloor Be Tested for Moisture?
Prior to installing a new floor, a flooring installation company may moisture test your subfloor, even if the subfloor looks like it is in good condition. This is most commonly done when hardwood floors are being installed. Moisture testing the subfloor helps to ensure that there is no moisture coming from below the subfloor that may damage your new flooring. It also helps to ensure that the subfloor is free of moisture before the new flooring is installed.
If you are having a new floor installed in your home, you may need to prepare to have a new subfloor installed. While there may be warning signs that a new subfloor may be needed, in most cases, a floor installer cannot tell until your existing flooring has been removed. A great floor installation company will show you the old subfloor, explain why it needs to be replaced, and give you options for replacing it.
Contact a company like Matuta Hardwood Flooring LLC to learn more.