How to Install Flooring Underlay
Below that beautiful tile, carpeting or vinyl flooring lies an underlayment. To install flooring underlay is to create a layer that will make your life much easier when you install the actual flooring. Especially in the cases of ceramic or stick-down tiles, a level surface is necessary. A level surface below prevents problems of corners sticking up at uneven angles. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Drill with screw bit
- Screws
- Wood putty
- Sandpaper or sander
Instructions
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1
Measure the floor area that you will be covering. Construction materials typically come in 4-by-8 foot sheets.
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2
Determine what kind of underlay is needed before installing. If the floor is one that is likely to experience moisture, such as a bathroom or kitchen, ask the experts in the building materials section to point you to the type of underlayment recommended.
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3
Be sure that the subfloor is dry before you put the underlayment over it.
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4
Fasten the underlay to the subfloor. While nails can be used, screws are recommended because they will bite into the wood below and won't work their way loose.
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5
Make sure the head of the screw is level with the underlayment or below the level of the underlayment. This may seem like a little thing, especially when you have a lot of screws to install, but when the top of the screw sticks up, the tile above it won't be level with the rest of the floor.
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Check the seams where the pieces of underlayment butt against each other. If the edges are uneven, use wood putty to level the area. Sand it smooth and level before you install flooring.
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