Floor prep & flattening for laminiate flooring

[EW57]

Greetings, I've got a loft/mezzanine that I'm interested in putting down some laminate wood flooring & I've decided not to include the foam underlayment as I'm not concerned about the noise & could do without the additional cost.

Overall the floor is reasonably flat, roughly 1/16" over 8', but I have a few plywood subfloor panels that don't match up perfectly at the seams. I figure if there are high spots I can take them down quickly with a belt sander, but I'm looking for some suggestions on filling the low spots.

Is there a wood subfloor equivalent to self leveling compound that would typically be used with concrete?

Thanks!

 

[James-W]

I am not aware of a self leveling compound specifically for wood floors, but I suspect if there is one and you were to cover the whole floor with it, it would cost as much as, if not more than, the foam under-layment.

 

[kwfloors]

You won't have a warranty with your laminate if you don't put foam in. That floor is pretty flat with your calculations, sand the joints, buy the foam and install the floor.

 

[rsanter]

I have used 30lb roofing felt under laminate with no troubles. I would not install with nothing unless you plan to glue it down

Bob

 

[EW57]

Thanks for the replies guys! I should have clarified that the low spots (roughly two dozen or so) I'm concerned about are relatively small, as in I could cover one with my hand & I'd guess it'd take less 6oz or so worth of leveler to flatten each one. I thought if the low spots weren't remedied that you'd potentially feel them as you walked across the floor.

I've researched the manufacturers "warranty" & it seems those that have had issues & filed claims have had the manufacturer scrutinize the install until something was found to void the warranty. The guarantee/warranty scene from "Tommy Boy" was a lot more funny before I realized how accurate it was.

Rsanter, out of curiosity, what was the benefit of the roofing felt?

 

[kwfloors]

Just use a floor patch and not leveler. You don't need it.

 

[rsanter]

Reduces or eliminates the clacking noise when walking on it like the foam would do.

Bob

 

[JakeKohl]

When I was looking at leveling compounds a few months ago, there were instructions for using it on wood sub floors - that surprised me...so you could use it here too.