Renovating a house can be a stressful time but there is one crucial factor that could become a devastating mistake if forgotten.

A common mistake that could devalue a home is a key installation process that’s costly to forget and can influence the outcome of the floor’s quality and appearance.

Levelling a floor improves its durability and longevity, ensuring weight and pressure are evenly distributed. This allows the floor to withstand high foot traffic and prevents damage. 

Liam Cleverdon, Flooring Expert at Flooring King, said: “Uneven floors can also lead to devastating issues such as moisture damage, visible gaps or ridges, and poor appearance. Levelling the floor ensures visual appeal and practical, long-lasting flooring.

“Not levelling the floor is also a safety hazard. Unevenness can increase the risk of trips and falls, so levelling is especially important in households with children and elderly relatives. 

“The floor’s lack of sturdiness can impact functionality and lead to issues such as creaking and squeaking, which can quickly become a nuisance. Not levelling is a common mistake that could hinder the floor’s longevity and functionality and can even affect the home’s value. To ensure high-quality flooring and long-term results, you must always level the floor.”

Steps on how to level a floor:

Preparation

Remove all furniture and rugs from the area. Once removed, thoroughly clean the floor to remove dust, dirt, and grease.

Inspection and Repairs

Inspect the floor for any cracks, holes, or damage. Assess the floor for uneven areas by using a long spirit level or a straightedge. Mark the high and low points with chalk

Grinding High Spots

Grind down the high spots using a concrete grinder or floor sander.

Priming the Floor

“Apply a floor primer to the entire surface to ensure better adhesion of the levelling compound. Use a paint roller or brush for even application. 

Mixing the Levelling Compound

Follow the instructions on the levelling compound packaging for mixing. 

Applying the Levelling Compound

Pour the levelling compound onto the floor starting from one corner and work your way across the room. 

Final Adjustments

You can make final adjustments to any areas that need additional levelling, smooth out any ridges or bumps with the trowel.

Drying Time

Allow the levelling compound to dry completely.

Final Inspection

Once dry, inspect the floor for any remaining uneven areas. Sand down any minor high spots and fill any small low spots with additional levelling compound if necessary.