Why Leveling the Floor Is Non-Negotiable Before Any Flooring Install
No matter what kind of flooring you’re putting in—tile, vinyl plank, engineered wood, laminate, or even carpet—it’s only as good as the surface underneath it.
At HUGE Handyman, one of the most important steps we take (and one that often gets skipped by others) is making sure the floor is flat, solid, and properly prepped before installation. Whether we’re installing 8x36 porcelain tile or luxury vinyl plank, floor prep can make or break the final result.
What Happens When You Skip Floor Prep?
If the subfloor isn’t level or stable, you can run into:
Gaps between planks
Bouncy or noisy floors
Cracked tiles or grout lines
Uneven transitions between rooms
Premature wear or product failure
We’ve seen brand-new floors buckle or shift within months—just because someone didn’t take the time to flatten the surface first.
What We Check Before Laying Flooring
Every flooring project starts with a proper assessment of what’s underneath. Here’s what we look for:
Dips, humps, or slopes across the surface
Loose or squeaky subfloor panels
Signs of previous water damage or movement
Inconsistent transitions between rooms
High spots from old glue, nails, or uneven concrete
If the floor doesn’t meet spec, we fix it with methods like:
Sanding high spots
Installing new underlayment
Filling low spots with leveling compound
Tightening subfloor to eliminate movement
Why It’s Even More Important With Modern Flooring
Most modern flooring products—especially large tile, LVP (luxury vinyl plank), and laminate—are designed to lie flat. They’re rigid and don’t flex well over uneven surfaces.
Even small imperfections underfoot can cause click-lock systems to separate, make floating floors bounce, or highlight tile lippage once the grout is in.
In short: the nicer the floor you’re installing, the more important the prep becomes.
It’s Not the Fun Part—But It’s the Most Important
We get it—most people don’t want to spend extra on something you don’t “see.” But trust us: what’s underneath your floor matters just as much as what’s on top.
At HUGE Handyman, we don’t skip steps. We level it, tighten it, clean it, and double-check it—because your flooring deserves a proper foundation.
Thinking about new flooring? Let’s talk prep, materials, and what it’ll take to make your space look (and feel) right from the ground up.
📞 Call or text us at 858-800-4843
📩 Or just reply to this email to get started.