Subfloor Repair & Preparation
The best flooring in the world fails on a bad subfloor. We find the problems before they become your problem — and we fix them right.
Great Floors Start Below the Surface
Every flooring failure we've seen — tile that cracked, LVP that buckled, hardwood that squeaked — started with something wrong underneath. A subfloor that's soft, uneven, too wet, or structurally compromised will telegraph every problem through to whatever you put on top of it.
We assess every subfloor before we quote a job. If there are problems, we tell you straight — what they are, what it takes to fix them, and why it's worth doing before the floor goes in. No upsells. No scare tactics. Just honest information from a crew that has to stand behind the result.
- Full assessment included with every estimate — no extra charge
- Squeaks silenced before new flooring covers them up
- Soft spots and rot replaced, not patched over
- High spots ground down, low spots filled to proper flatness specs
- Moisture levels tested before any wood product is installed
- Old adhesive, glue, and residue removed from concrete slabs
Don't Cover Up Problems — Fix Them
A proper subfloor assessment before install protects your investment for the long haul. We do it right every time.
Schedule a Free AssessmentCommon Subfloor Issues We Fix
We screw the subfloor down properly from above — the right fastener pattern into the joists below. If the squeak is joist-related, we sister or block from below. Permanent fix, not a bandaid.
Common in older Salem homes with plumbing leaks or bathroom moisture issues. We cut out the damaged section and replace with new OSB or plywood — properly supported to the joists below.
LVP requires 3/16" per 10'. Tile requires even less. We grind high spots, fill low areas with self-leveling compound, and feather edges smooth so there are no ridges telegraphing through the new floor.
Salem's wet climate means concrete slabs can have high moisture vapor emission rates. We test with calcium chloride or RH probes and install appropriate vapor barriers when readings are elevated.
Previous glue-down vinyl, old cutback adhesive, and tile mortar all need to come off concrete before a new floor goes down. We grind, scrape, and chemically treat as needed to get a clean bond surface.
New flooring raises floor height. We undercut door bottoms so they clear the new floor without dragging — often overlooked, always necessary.
Subfloor FAQ
My floor squeaks — can that be fixed without replacing it?
Often yes. If the subfloor is accessible from below, we can add blocking or fasteners. From above, we drive screws through the finish floor and subfloor into the joists and fill the holes. Contact us to assess your specific situation.
How do I know if my subfloor needs repair before new flooring?
Walk the floor and listen. Soft spots, springy areas, visible dips or humps, and squeaks are all signs. We assess during every estimate and tell you exactly what we find.
Does moisture always need to be addressed on concrete?
Not always. Oregon's climate means many slabs are fine. We test and give you the actual reading — if it's within acceptable limits for your chosen flooring, nothing extra is needed.
How much does subfloor repair add to the cost?
It depends on what we find. Minor leveling and fastening adds relatively little. Rot replacement or extensive leveling adds more. We quote it separately and transparently before any work begins.
Start With a Solid Foundation
Every great floor we install starts with an honest subfloor assessment. Let's take a look at what you're working with.
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