How To Prepare a Concrete Subfloor for Laminate Flooring

You can usually determine how successful a flooring project will be by how well the subfloor beneath it is prepared. With the proper preparations, you can have a subfloor capable of handling anything you throw at it. Concrete subfloors are common when it comes to basement and ground floor levels. Here you’ll learn how to prepare a concrete subfloor for laminate flooring, to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Determine the Materials Needed

First and foremost, you’ll want to know exactly how much flooring you’re working with. Remove carpeting, other flooring, and baseboards so you can get an accurate measurement of the total space you’re working with. However, you’ll want more flooring than you think you’ll need to cover possible mistakes or damages.

Clean the Subfloor

The concrete subfloor needs to go before any laminate is used. The first step to this process is cleaning the subfloor of any spots of oil, debris, or other contaminants that could ruin the surface of the subfloor. You may need to use a concrete grinder in order to get a rough enough surface for the adhesive to stick.

Measure Moisture

Utilizing a moisture testing kit, you need to make sure the subfloor is completely dry before you continue. If you find the room is too moist, you’ll need to use something to reduce the humidity and moisture in the area.

Check the Subfloor

Leveling the subfloor is crucial to getting a solid floor. Every 10 feet or so, you want to be sure the floor is uniform within 3/16 of an inch. Any high spots you find can be easily ground down with a concrete grinder tool. Low spots will need a leveling compound and time to dry before you continue.

Ensure It’s Structurally Sound

Most importantly, the subfloor must be strong enough to withstand whatever is on top of it. This includes the flooring itself as well as the furniture, appliances, and people that will be in the room. Be on the lookout for any sort of crack or crumbling: this can lead to disastrous results if not taken care .

Now that you know how to prepare a concrete subfloor for laminate flooring, you can be assured that your laminate flooring will stay strong for years to come. Bedrock Supplies has all the surface preparation equipment that you may need. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.