Preparing a Subfloor Before New Flooring

Featured business. Palmer Flooring Contractors has a complimentary featured placement on Waterlooville.co; it has not paid for it, and it has not seen or approved this guide. Palmer Flooring is a Portsmouth-based family business that says it serves Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. The business says it does subfloor work and floor preparation and levelling. You can call Joe Palmer on 07896 497068. See the Palmer Flooring Contractors profile or the feature article.

The subfloor is the surface a new floor is laid on: concrete, screed, or boards over joists. Most flooring problems that show up later start there, because a new floor copies the shape and condition of whatever is under it.

What to check

Flatness. Dips and humps can show through vinyl and LVT, and can make laminate flex or click apart at the joins. Levelling compounds are used to even out a floor, and a fitter will normally check with a straight edge.

Cleanliness. Dust, old adhesive and paint spots can stop a new floor bedding down properly.

Dryness. Moisture in a floor can damage some coverings and adhesives. Ask whether the base needs testing, particularly on a concrete floor or in a room that has had a leak.

Loose or damaged boards. On a timber floor, loose boards can squeak and move under a new covering. Ask how they will be dealt with.

The old covering. Old tiles, vinyl or adhesive may need removing, and in older homes some old materials need specialist handling. If you are unsure what is under your carpet, say so at the quote.

Underfloor heating

If there is underfloor heating, the way the floor is prepared and the covering chosen both matter. Check that the product is suitable and that the fitter knows the system, and ask how the heating should be brought up to temperature. Palmer Flooring says it does underfloor heating.

Who does the preparation

Preparation is a separate job from laying the floor, and it is easy for a quote to leave it out. Ask whether the fitter will check the base, whether levelling is included or priced if needed, and who is responsible if a problem turns up on the day. Palmer Flooring says it does subfloor work and floor preparation and levelling, and offers a free consultation and no-obligation quote.

Related guides

Choosing between a hard floor and a soft one? Read LVT vs laminate flooring and choosing a carpet fitter.

Frequently asked questions

What is a subfloor?

The surface a new floor is laid on, such as concrete, screed or timber boards over joists.

Why does the subfloor matter?

A new floor follows the shape and condition of the base, so dips, dust and damp underneath can cause problems later.

Does a floor need to be dry?

Moisture can damage some coverings and adhesives. Ask whether the base needs testing, particularly a concrete floor or a room that has had a leak.

Is floor preparation included in a quote?

Not always. Ask whether checking the base and levelling are included, and who is responsible if a problem is found.

Does Palmer Flooring do subfloor work?

The business says it does subfloor work and floor preparation and levelling. It is based in Portsmouth and says it serves Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

Is this a paid placement?

No. Palmer Flooring Contractors has a complimentary featured placement on Waterlooville.co and has not paid for it.