A new floor will completely change the appearance and price of your house. Most homeowners however do not pay much attention to the sub flooring materials and only pay attention to the materials on the surface floor. The layer of structure that the finished flooring will rest on is the subfloor, which in case it is damaged or of poor quality will even the best flooring installation will break early.

Be aware of the signs of sub floor repair first, before you lay down a new flooring and you would have to spend unnecessary amounts of money on it. This guide will involve discussion of the most frequent warning signals that your subfloor is in need of repair before new flooring is being installed.

What Is a Subfloor and Why It Is Important

The bottom layer of the finished flooring is the subfloor. It is placed at the junction of the floor joists and serves as a base to the hardwood, laminate, vinyl or tile.

It is necessary since a strong and stable subfloor:

•  Bears furniture and occupants weight.
•  Stops load bearing floors that are uneven or sunken.
•  Guarantees the protection of flooring materials against moisture.
•  Enhances the life of the whole floor system.

When the under-floor is damaged, new flooring may be put on the top of it to cause squeaking, cracking and even structural complications.

Common Causes of Subfloor Damage

Understanding what causes subfloor damage can help prevent future issues.

Addressing these problems early helps maintain a strong foundation for your flooring.

The Best Signs that Your Subfloor needs repair

Squeaky or Noisy Floors

Among the most typical subfloor repair indicators, there is the constant squeak as you step on the floor.

This usually occurs when:

•  The subfloor has been loosened by the joists.
•  Nails or screws have loosened.
•  Wood boards are scratching with one another.

Squeaks may not be a big issue but most of the times they could be a sign that the sub floor is moving or getting weak underneath the floor.

Uneven or Sagging Floors

When you observe dips, slopes or unevenness in your flooring, then your sub floor could be damaged or weakened.

Common causes include:

•  Moisture damage
•  Structural movement
•  Weak floor joists
•  Rot or decay of sub-floor.

The presence of uneven surfaces may lead to significant issues during the installation of new flooring, in particular, the tiles or laminate that may need a smooth base.

Soft or Spongy Floor Areas

When you step on some areas of the floor and they are soft, or bouncy, then this is a definite sign of damage in the undercarving.

This often happens because:

•  The subfloor wood has rotted
•  The material has been weakened by water damage.
•  The subfloor has detached itself to the joists.

Repair of soft spots must be done promptly preceding any flooring installation in order to avoid additional structural complications.

Visible Water Damage or Mold

One of the largest threats to a sub floor is water. Symptoms of moisture damage are:

•  Dark stains on the subfloor
•  Bending or distending wood panels.
•  Mold or mildew growth
•  Musty odors in the room

Moisture subfloor damage is a particularly common thing in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

Cracked or Loose Tiles

When the current tile flooring is cracked or has loose tiles, the problem may not be on the tile itself but the under-tile.

Shifting or poor sub-floor may make tiles:

•  Crack under pressure
•  Pop loose from adhesive
•  Develop uneven grout lines

It is important to repair and check sub floor before laying the new tile flooring.

Gaps Between Floorboards

Hardwood floors should not have visible cracks or checks that represent instability of the subfloor.

Possible reasons include:

•  Subfloor shifting
•  Structural movement
•  Unprofessional prior installation.
•  Expansion and contraction due to moisture.

These holes have the potential of getting worse in the course of time as long as the sub floor is not repaired.

The reason why Subfloor Repairs are to be done prior to installation.

There are several long-term problems that can arise when flooring is installed over a damaged subfloor that can include:

•  Premature flooring failure
•  Enhanced noise and movement.
•  Uneven flooring surfaces
•  Higher repair costs later

Before laying the new flooring materials, professional flooring contractors never fail to check under the floor and repair it.

When to Call a Professional

Although small squeaks can be resolved using mere solutions, significant structural issues need to be examined by professionals.

A flooring expert can:

 Test the structural integrity and joists.

 Re-alt due sub floor panels.

 Level uneven surfaces

Manage water or humidity issues.

By making sure that your flooring installation lasts many years with its professional repairs, your flooring will be in great condition.

Final Thoughts

The flooring is as sturdy as what is under it. Early identification of signs of subfloor repair reduces the chances of making expensive errors and allows the installation of the flooring to be successful.

Always check the under floor before laying hardwood, tile, laminate or even a vinyl flooring. Squeaks, soft spots, or any other issues that cause water damage or uneven floors will be resolved to ensure that your investment is not wasted and the longevity of your floors.

In case, you even think that there might be problems with the subfloor, it is highly recommended that you employ specialists who are specialized in inspection and repair of floors.

To maintain unique inspection and repair of floors, the members of the LFC Texas organization can offer efficient services to make sure that your floors are properly laid.