Do you need to level a floor before carpeting?

Homeowners and companies considering fitting new carpets in Chester, Wrexham and other areas around the UK often wonder if levelling their floor first is essential.

As a rule, for a professional looking carpet installation that offers years of use, it’s advisable to level the floor before adding carpeting. In the following passages, we’ll take a detailed look at why levelling is critical, the ways to level common sub floor types and the rare installation exceptions when you might not need to level your floors.

Why levelling floors before carpet is important

Appearance: Prevents visible bumps, dips and ripples in the finished carpet.

Comfort: Eliminates uncomfortable hollow spots or raised areas underfoot.

Durability: Stops uneven pressure points that cause carpet to stretch, wear out, or develop air pockets.

Safety: Reduces trip hazards from uneven surfaces.

Installation: Makes fitting easier and ensures grippers and underlay sit properly.

Purchasing quality carpet is a significant investment. Unfortunately, uneven flooring creates air pockets and pressure points that make carpets more susceptible to wear and irreparable damage, shortening their service. Luckily, levelling subfloors first helps buyers enjoy a better return by extending a carpet’s lifespan.

Levelling also enhances the appearance of carpeting, giving rooms a seamless and smooth finish without any unsightly bumps and humps. As well as ruining aesthetics they such eyesores also make floor less comfortable to walk on reduce the risk of trips and falls. For safety and floor stability, levelling is vital.

How to level different subfloors

Levelling all subfloors starts with identifying issues. A six-foot level is an ideal tool for finding low and high spots in the surface areas being carpeted. Afterwards, the subfloor requires a comprehensive clean that eradicates any debris. If the subfloor is concrete, imperfections can be evened out using built-for-purpose levelling compound from a trusted brand. However, for uneven wooden floorboards, you can sand down high spots and replace loose boards, or fit a thin layer of plywood or hardwood if dips exist.

When you might skip major levelling

Finally, there are instances when substantial levelling isn’t as essential. Examples include subfloors with minor imperfections and thicker underlay and carpet piles that can make them unnoticeable. However, for best results and a boost to longevity, levelling before fitting carpet is always recommended.