Pay Attention to Your Sub-Flooring
Your home’s sub-flooring is not likely to be something you think about often. But if you don’t pay attention to it every now and then, you could have big problems.
Sub-flooring is the concrete, plywood or material that rests under the flooring you walk on. It is there to provide support for the top flooring and what goes on top of it. But as with anything else in your home, sub-flooring can be damaged with age.
How do you know you have a problem with your sub-floor? Is there a musty smell that just won’t go away, no matter what you try? Is there a noticeable dip in your flooring? Is there even a visible gap in your flooring?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have a problem that must be tackled as soon as possible. Putting it off will only worsen the problem.
If you have a stone tile floor, you may be able to carefully remove the pieces on top of and around the problem area and reuse them. Unfortunately, if you have vinyl, laminate or carpet, you may have to resign yourself to the fact that you will have to rip out the old stuff and replace it.
Once you’ve removed the old top flooring, look at the sub-floor. The most common problem is rotting plywood. This probably occurred through water damage. It is best if you remove the entire sheet of plywood, if you can. If not, remove the damaged area. Make sure you get it all or the mildew will spread to other parts of your sub-floor.
Another common sub-flooring problem is damage caused by termites or carpenter ants. If you see insect damage, contact an exterminator.
Once the problem has been taken care of, consider what kind of sub-floor you want. You may be leery of replacing a plywood sub-floor with more wood. However, keep in mind that today’s wood sub-floors have damage-resistant coatings and can stand up to much more abuse. If you just don’t like the idea, try finished concrete instead.
If you are handy, you may be able to install the sub-floor yourself. But don’t hesitate to contract a flooring professional if you need help. Your floor is a key part of your house; you need to have the job done right.
No matter which you choose, make sure the sub-floor is completely flat and sturdy enough to hold up to traffic. A good sub-floor should last a lifetime.
By following these simple steps, you will end up with a new sub-floor that will give new life to the rest of your home. Don’t let the problem sit or you will have a real nightmare on your hands. But if you take care of the problem, you will be able to enjoy your floors for years to come.
Nils Wulfend regularly creates long articles on issues corresponding to Columbia flooring and discount floors. You might come across his observations on where to buy Columbia flooring at http://www.insidewoodworking.com and different sources for where to buy Columbia flooring news.
