Best way to flatten this floor?

[bowhunter32]

Sub floor is 1.125" t&g. Some of the sheets appear to vary in thickness. Floor is pretty level throughout besides where some of the sheets meet. Most that are a different thickness are 1/16"-3/32". What is the best way to flatten this for rigid core vinyl plank? Self leveling? Patch with trowel? Another layer of plywood? Floor sander?

 

[The Cobbler]

I'd be tempted to use my belt sander with heavy grit and call it done.
is it plywood @ 1-1/8 thick?

 

[bowhunter32]

Yes, 1-1/8" t&g.

 

[flyingblind]

Does it squeak? I would try and **** it down with screws first, then commercial drum floor sander to level as much as possible. It does not have to be perfect for Plank floor like Pergo or similar. Make sure to use padding under your floor. You can also double pad to shim real bad bumps if you absolutely had to.

 

[bowhunter32]

No squeaks it's essentially new construction with the exception of the foundation, some of the floor joists, some of the roofing material, and 1 exterior wall... I used a lot of subfloor adhesive so I don't think it will **** down.

 

[Skiff Builder]

I would hit the seams with a power planer and feather them out. Works fine with plywood. Fast, less dust.

 

[bowhunter32]

I do have a hand planer. I would imagine the clipped head ring shank framing nails I used to secure the subfloor would be a pita to sink down further than the cut..

 

[kaymccampbell]

I like feathered out Bondo, and a belt sander.

 

[mike93lx]

I do have a hand planer. I would imagine the clipped head ring shank framing nails I used to secure the subfloor would be a pita to sink down further than the cut..

Yes, they will be, but it kind is what it is. If you run plywood over the subfloor, bridging the seams, it will lessen the impact but you'll still have an uneven floor.

Was it flat when you laid it and it's swelled or was it like this from the beginning?

 

[Skiff Builder]

I do have a hand planer. I would imagine the clipped head ring shank framing nails I used to secure the subfloor would be a pita to sink down further than the cut..

OK Nails - planer no good there.
Henry 345 patch and leveler is an option.

 

[larry4406]

In our new construction homes, the framer rescrews the affected areas and then lightly sands the edges of the subfloor if necessary.

He actually has a weed whacker modified to accept a large diameter sanding disk.

 

[jonathco]

I had a similar issue with my sub-floor when I pulled up carpet (to put down hardwood). I used my belt sander, with a 36 grit belt, and it took it down quite quickly.

 

[Echohunter]

If you just use patch or leveler you still have any high spots, they will just now have structure underneath the flooring when it's laid. You need to sand those seams down and get them as even as you can in height. Then look into leveler if you think something is still needed. You can also sand and prep, then lay a number of planks across the area and stand back and look at how much, or little, the floor deviations show with plank and lighting going across that section of the floor, and decide if you need to do more. .... but some folks will read the manufacturers guidelines and actually feel a need to meet those specs. . .crazy folks . .

 

[BillK]

Just curious what kind of plywood you got that varied that much in thickness ?????

 

[Firstram]

In our new construction homes, the framer rescrews the affected areas and then lightly sands the edges of the subfloor if necessary.

He actually has a weed whacker modified to accept a large diameter sanding disk.

Brilliant!

 

[vavet]

In our new construction homes, the framer rescrews the affected areas and then lightly sands the edges of the subfloor if necessary.

He actually has a weed whacker modified to accept a large diameter sanding disk.

oh dang...there's another tool I didn't know I needed.