How To Prep Wood Subfloor for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring for Beginners. Fix High and Low Spots!

How To Fix High Spots and Low Spots in Plywood Subfloor.
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When I removed the old tile in the kitchen and dining room I exposed some high spots and lows spots in the plywood subfloor I want to level out. I fixed gaps in the subfloor panels, I also fixed empty spaces in the subfloor where there used to be walls. Finally I used specialty underlayment called quiet walk that is made to be compatible with LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) flooring. Thanks a bunch for watching, link for what I Used are below!
Materials and Supplies (affiliate)
Moisture Barrier: amzn.to/3PbotkL
6 mil Black Bags: amzn.to/3qUYRAa
Cordless Nailer: amzn.to/44tioFL
Electric Planer: amzn.to/45pcQgQ
Nail Punch: amzn.to/3QWK56U
Henry Feather Finish homedepot.sjv.io/ba2n2k
Henry Level Pro Primer: homedepot.sjv.io/75oYoQ
Henry UniPro Concrete: homedepot.sjv.io/R5memb
LVP Underlayment: amzn.to/3P9H8hM
Underlayment Seam Tape: amzn.to/3sqjdlx
Carpet Knife: amzn.to/3YOGppE
RZ Mask: rzmask.com/
Where I Get My Music (Free Trial): www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
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Thanks for watching!
-Mike Montgomery
MODERN BUILDS
Hi, My name is Mike Montgomery and I'm a MAKER; a designer, builder, and full-time content creator. Accessibility is my focus with Modern Builds, not simply accessibility of designs, but accessibility in materials, information, and projects themselves. I've focused on creating furniture and DIY projects that are simple enough that any beginner maker can accomplish, yet interesting enough that any expert might be inspired. Building and making is becoming less and less of an exclusive hobby and profession. My goal is to reduce that separation even further.

[@ModernBuilds]

Next episode we're putting down floors!!! I've got some great looking LVP floors to put down and I'll do my best to make a killer "everything you should know before installing LVP flooring" video! Have an awesome weekend :)

[@direkta010]

Btw you forgot to pin this comment

[@quilleymemory]

Will it include that, on buildings of the age yours is, you should test for asbestos… I very much doubt it!

[@Charlie10266]

I’m so excited about this series! You’re doing amazing! 😊

[@-NathanBryanxl5zg]

America will sink in flood and fire and we will all die. We are all cursed, our sins will never be washed away, we deserve to die.Ask God for forgiveness, Christ is on the way. we all die🌊🔥

[@jonathancowdin3775]

This is the first diy video where someone didn't completely bomb the whole thing, people need to understand that you can't just lay over whatever you want, prep is always the hardest part of the job

[@A2ZGeek]

I NEED MORE! I Binged all the episodes! I'm a local Handyman and have my own contractors business! You are doing a really great job.

[@Liquid12322]

Lol I wouldn't hire you 🤣

[@Esiddik]

Wellll doneeeee 👏🏼👏🏼 Haven’t done flooring yet and this was really helpful

[@D0nk3yzz]

Never thought of using my planer to fix the high spot in the hallway of my remodel. Worked like a charm! Thanks!

[@hermiWormi]

Until you hit a nail head you didn't see and destroy your planer blade

[@D0nk3yzz]

Drive those down first. But yeah, it's a risk.

[@thomastimothy777]

Digging in Asbestos again.

[@stevencoad9224]

I’ve used that same quietwalk underlayment with LVP in my bathroom, pretty happy with it. Didn’t have any seams because the floor space was JUST short of the roll’s width.

[@shanaproctor100]

Really enjoying this series! Can't wait to see the rest.

[@thefrankperspective4247]

Prior video in the playlist was truly top-tier

[@laurendao4467]

I’ve heard two different philosophies on the direction any flooring should go. One is to be directly coming out of the front door and the other is to go out from windows. According to both of these, your flooring should go the opposite way you’re planning to lay them (based on the direction you laid the underlayment). It was interesting to see this process. I have a big dip in the foundation where some LVP was put in by the previous homeowner. I don’t know if they did it themselves, but every time I walk over it, I can’t believe they didn’t do anything to level the base.

[@naturalgalwilliams]

Mike its coming along nicely. OneLove ❣️

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

Yoooooo Big Mike!! Sonproud of you Bud!! Your getting more confident & things are moving along nicely. Hoping all is well Bud, Dirty Jersey out!!

[@nickbelletti]

Putting underlayment under lvp with a padding attached is not a good idea. The squishy nature of it can break joints. If you have to bring something up to level use thin plywood glued and screwed. Also dont use mdf in subfloor repairs, even with plastic under that piece moisture can wick from surrounding boards in the summer and swell mdf up and ruin all the work to get it flat. Glue and screw plywood and forget the plastic. Very thorough prep though, good job!

[@LutherBuilds]

I used a thin dense foam underlayment under my lvp and in less than 2 years, almost all the joints are failing. I now have to redo all 700 sq ft of the space. I'm assuming if I do my best to level the subfloor then glue and screw 1/4" plywood down, the lvp will do much better.

[@nickbelletti]

@@LutherBuilds some LVP brands come apart easier than others, but getting a really solid subfloor underneath it instead of something squishy will make it last a lot closer to the manufacturer warranty that's listed on the box

[@andrewsworkshop]

Wow! Thanks for the tips!!!

[@jt6741]

5:06 I felt that

[@ChelsyCross]

Good job, I learned a few things

[@TallCloverFarm]

really great instructional video, thank you

[@Suzieq5446]

Good work!

[@shakamellow5224]

Very wonderful job

[@superdude1820]

MDF and moisture, gotta love it!

[@MrFantasylover1]

Seems like a lot of work to screw up the floor with wet concrete on top of the MDF.. Looks like borrowed trouble.

[@scorpio6587]

Looks great

[@disciplineideaaction6537]

Not sure if I would be using a planer on that floor its a older house and asbestos could be present and creating all that dust should be major concern.

[@feliciahutchins4237]

THANK YOU!!!!😊

[@dariussaadat2538]

Used the same foam with LVP before, for a one story should be fine. On a second story I wish I went with something heftier like mass loaded vinyl for better sound dampening

[@ivansanchez7316]

Mike something I would’ve done differently In that area where you used the underlayment. I would’ve used self leveling concrete.

[@anask701]

waiting for your video from last 4 weeks

[@sapelesteve]

Terrific work on that floor Mike! 👍👍🔨🔨

[@spicesfunny]

I love this series and always look forward to your videos

[@Lucas-vd2gx]

1:05 - Amateur question: You have the moisture barrier applied underneath but then nails are being applied on the wood and through that barrier, isn't moisture gonna take over through those nail holes eventually?

[@kyriehuehue473]

yea i dont get it too. makes actually no sense.

[@dadlife8289]

I've really enjoyed this project so far!

[@GBlaque]

The right way always defeats the fast way!

[@ApuTheIndian]

Hey, did you check if that had asbestos? Because it looks like mastic under the old floor tile...

[@gregmize01]

WHY IS THERE ALWAYS ONE OF YOU?

[@beanieweenie9543]

@@gregmize01there were 100s of them on the last video😂😂😂. It looked like the comment section was raided by an asbestos task force.

[@christobar]

Have a family friend die from it in his 50s, it’s not a great way to go

[@quilleymemory]

Now why would there be HUNDREDS of comments about something if it was completely warrantless? @ Chris, sorry to hear that. If only others would take it seriously.

[@beanieweenie9543]

@@quilleymemorybecause he already stated in the comments of the very first episode of this series that he would be testing it for asbestos. He is a grown ass responsible man he can take care of himself. Besides just because you see black mastic doesn’t mean it is asbestos.

[@realist8967]

In the middle of a master bath reno. The subfloor was stapled down. Hundreds of staple heads to deal with doing the work myself.

[@direkta010]

For 3 months of work (assuming a job) you are doing a very good job. Keeo going woth the great work

[@chrisnovak8782]

Wondering how much you're going to feel the transition from the hardwood base layer to the foam underlayment base layer when walking across the new floors... I assume the foam is going to have more "give" than the hardwood.

[@beanieweenie9543]

It is so thin it doesn’t have enough give to feel underfoot

[@prizerunner4828]

Respect.

[@AlphaXX44]

Bro. Like your DIY Style, but please get some knee protectors🤙

[@beanieweenie9543]

Why do you care about his knees. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@deboraharmstrong3002]

OK...I have a question for the peanut gallery..... What are your feelings regarding the 'LVP' flooring. I'm not asking about colors, I'm asking about the product itself. If you were doing a 'luxury' home, is it something you would use? If you were BUYING a luxury home, is it something you would be happy to see? Because I have to tell you folks; my answer to both questions? Is 'NO'.

[@laurentylermoore2589]

Excellent job again! Sweet! Keep it up!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@50tigres79]

thumbs up and subscribed

[@Visible.Friend]

Love your show Mike! I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that had to sing "Mike's First Flip" all by myself, miss the opening tune. hUgz from Ohio, Lee

[@efthimios]

Had my subfloor replaced, (ex owner had 5 dogs that urinated through the subfloors) and left lots of gaps, and uneven boards, im stressed as i was going to lay the floor myself but not sure about leveling the floor myself.

[@mariotovar4533]

Think I just saw you at the Walmart in del city. Was trying to catch up to you lol

[@summer-oh4ib]

Isn’t those gaps between those plywood subfloor was there on purpose its for expansion and contraction? Is it ok to backfill it with henry’s ? Floor would shift overtime and nowhere to go causing it to shift upwards

[@grassh0pperunit]

Is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring in the same category as Genuine Italian Pleather?

[@phuturephunk]

Cement backer would be a much more stable option with the same goal reached (level with the existing hardwood).

[@emilydickens3112]

Everything I've read says not to use underlayment with LVP if it has an attached backing. Can I get some input on that?

[@stevehamman4465]

Emily, if your LVP comes with a backing , NO you do NOT use an underlayment! The backing and underlayment act as moisture barriers. You do not put a moisture barrier on top of a moisture barrier or it will actually trap the moisture and cause mold and rot! Best example I can think of is insulation in your walls. Theres only paper on one side and it goes on the inside of the house to allow moister to evaporate on the outside part of the wall towards the outside of the house. Does that make any sense??

[@judyfenske1429]

Mike, Please---what is the difference among these floorings: vinyl, congoleum and linoleum; the many types of tile; others? Which is best for hard traffic? My daughter's soft floor has torn large holes and strips though out the dining room from chair legs and dog nails. Thank you.

[@stevendoran877]

Congoleum is a brand name, they manufacture vinyl flooring, linoleum is a product consisting of linseed oil, wood pulp, color and a backing, of either jute or a synthetic linen. Vinyl flooring is pvc with other petro chemicals and color Vinyl flooring is polyvinyl chloride mi mix

[@klmbuilders5385]

Being that this video was posted 6 months ago have there been any problems with the Henry floor leveler since you didn't install the lath material as recommended by Henry? I'm asking because I have a similar project coming up. TIA.

[@mikemorris5503]

Depending on how thick or thin your LVP is, that padding could make the LVP sink down and shift causing the seams to wear out over time. I used a thin plastic vapor barrier underneath my LVP for those reasons. I’ve been in a house that has used a thick padding underneath, and with every step you could feel the floor sink in a little. But if your LVP is thick and wide, you should be okay.

[@vincentzhang2160]

Yes I believe most lvp manufacturers would void your warranty and claim that you had a wrong installation the moment they find out about the underlayment

[@carlyborror]

Exactly what I'm working on this week. Impeccable timing lol.

[@ElwahabiHamza]

NEC very goood 🙏😍

[@tetsuo666pr]

❤Love the series🎉

[@warpspeed9877]

Νοw use another layer of this underlayment over the parts with solid floor AND the previous layer of underlayment. Otherwise you will feel the hard floor when walking over it.

[@chrisnovak8782]

I think you'd feel it even more if you doubled up on the foam underlayment.

[@beanieweenie9543]

That underlayment is so thin it doesn’t not have enough give to feel underfoot

[@delaSarge]

Why is it a problem if there are tiny gaps between the plywood sheets??

[@lazygardens]

Air and moisture infiltration from under the house? Bugs? Heat loss? Sometimes, over time, the gap will "telegraph" and show up in the flooring above it because foot traffic has been shoving the flexible flooring into the gap.

[@victorvek5227]

Next time, add the Henry 546 latex additive in with the 547 Unipro. It extends work time and cures with more flex; better for this application.

[@elementkx]

I wouldn't use a flexible straight edge as they bend and do not consistently give you a straight edge. Best ones are the long one with the liquid levels on them.

[@JakeBoi16yt]

IM HERE EARLY🎉🎉 great job mike!!

[@brentufkes6846]

I agree that you do a lot better job than the majority of folks making videos on here. My only concern with this video is you laid down a moisture barrier and then punctured it with fasteners putting down the mdf. Not sure what the substrate looks like for moisture but this could cause you a problem long term.

[@jefflovec4707]

nice prep. It's rare to see a flipper do that. time is money and flips are fast and cheap.

[@pamsullivan3274]

Anybody know a good mesothelioma lawyer?

[@beanieweenie9543]

Another agent from the asbestos task force🤦‍♂️

[@mellymel1100]

Are you going to go back and replace those doors on that cabinet?

[@TimCBuilders]

Backfilling?

[@TheBigMaxYT]

Hardwood floors in a rental?

[@luisboites503]

Should have added a few screws on the boards you use where walls were

[@dennisschickling2249]

Nice Work. Just like a SUPER PRO. #STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY🇺🇸

[@mcheddadi]

I'm wondering if it wouldn't have been more efficient time wise to just not bother with the old floor and use a floor leveling compound on all of it from the start without removing and scrapping old the floor/tiles? what's the reasoning here?

[@chickencurry7642]

Probably cost cutting...

[@zart3374]

Very expensive…

[@beanieweenie9543]

The reasoning would be a hell of a lot of money to do that.

[@jimdavis1516]

The old tiles, especially 2 layers, could be covering up subfloor issues which could cause the LVP to eventually fail.

[@yossid422]

Ya

[@watchyourtonex6989]

Stirring by hand will give you problems with self leveler

[@user-nlvmruu]

why did you choose to use a ruler instead of a level?

[@beanieweenie9543]

Because he wasn’t checking for level he was just using a straight edge for gaps

[@SometimeAgo65]

What should I use to level out flooring that's pretty messed up, if I'm laying vinyl sheet flooring or linoleum..is what I call it? I'm trying to help this lady out, shes on a low income so not much money at all. However, she needs new linoleum put in kitchen and dining rooms. But the kitchen flooring in messed up where some bright person scraped up old flooring and kind of gouged into the wood flooring. Any helpful ideas would be appreciated...I'm a woman and have no idea what to do about this problem. Thanks 😊

[@elizabethc9832]

I've got the same problem with gouges from scraping off old flooring. Some of them are pretty deep. I've decided to use Durham's water putty. First, vaccum and clean the area well. Mix putty, apply as smoothly as possible. Let dry and sand flat if needed.

[@madzabinga8382]

Ok, would it have been easier to just put in a new subfloor? Not sure how much that would've cost.

[@shredboiardee1878]

The black adhesive was hot with asbestos and you’re over there without a mask?!?! I hope you had black mastic adhesive tested for asbestos…

[@moloney0218]

hey are you ever gonna post a new video?

[@Michaelaitem]

I think he lost his house in a storm

[@Michaelaitem]

Do you not follow the news? A few days ago there was a tornado and storm in Oklahoma

[@moloney0218]

@@Michaelaitem oh no, damn that sucks, I hope he and his family are okay

[@-NathanBryanxl5zg]

mike?

[@_papad8434]

Looks like it is being assumed that none of the dips in the floor have to do with failing support structures underneath the subfloor.

[@_Otaku-kt8be]

Are you a dairy farmer?

[@lechatbotte.]

????

[@ErenYeager-os5lv]

How does he look like one?

[@igobyjazz]

lol what ….

[@quilleymemory]

Milking it

[@whatthefunction9140]

That poor planer

[@puwazatza]

I guess woodworking/home reno stuff is no longer Mike's top interest. He's been making something cool and new every week but this income property series seems to go very slow. We all miss when he was so enthusiastic about making stuff so we all waited for his next videos. However, I don't blame you. I hope your new priority is also making you stoked.

[@ceasewatercolorarts]

Looking forward to the flooring. It'll probably be the biggest change yet. But Mike, listen.... you really need to change the drawer/cabinet faces on that one oddball cabinet. It sticks out like a sore thumb and makes it look cheap. You can order custom made doors online and they're not too terribly priced. I altered a cabinet in my house an it was cheaper/easier to have a new door made for it. Frankly, it's the best quality door in the whole kitchen (but matches). This would set off my alarm bells if I was looking at the house to buy. If I see that, I'm going to start looking hard at other things.

[@MegaFun000]

He already said he would

[@gregmize01]

6TH!

[@TammyKimble-do2px]

47 years of the same ones

[@pidman426]

Dude be sounding like Dexter's nemesis

[@garyallman3039]

You add the Henry 547 to water, not water to the Henry 547.

[@ddutton0]

Hot take coming in: I wish that you would have kept the original hardwood. I understand that this will be a rental and LVP may be better.

[@quilleymemory]

But it “luxury” plastic 😂

[@groundupRVA]

Because Installing/refinishing hardwood takes work and costs money, the 2 things Landlords hate. 😂

[@A2ZGeek]

He already stated in the first video that it was moldy and nasty from animal piss, he could have spent thousands and then figured out the floors aren't salvageable. Personally I'd have replaced with hardwoods if it was my place but rental or Airbnb is definitely getting the LVP!

[@dustinpfotenhauer2140]

I wouldn't be grinding that black cut back.

[@jaysullivan2045]

sad you're not saving the original hardwood

[@chrisnolan9906]

Concrete over mdf. Fascinating. I give it 5 years

[@JBouch33]

I couldn't stop thinking, "what the fuck is he doing?" for the duration of this video. Makeshift, cheap, improper DIY at its finest

[@grahamstefaan]

The leveling compound is made for this. I've used it too.

[@christobar]

It’s not really concrete, and he was putting it over plywood

[@groundupRVA]

@@JBouch33yea that’s what this channel is, it’s hilarious

[@beanieweenie9543]

Because the product he was using is meant to be poured over mdf and plywood.

[@nickk05281982]

Mfg no good for subfloor

[@reverzebegamingchannel]

HAHAHA look at that that is perfect, and then you see a difference off almost 0.5cm hahahah

[@mishafrolovdesign]

It’s not 6mm. That would be almost 1/4”. 6 mil poly is 0.152mm

[@codetech5598]

A "mil" is one thousandths of an inch.

[@sharkymark88]

We’re hiring if you need a 2nd job

[@elishahleone3447]

1st

[@elishahleone3447]

2nd

[@elishahleone3447]

3rd

[@JakeBoi16yt]

blud responded to his own comment😂😂

[@elishahleone3447]

@@JakeBoi16yt I was 6th comment

[@Fastboot13]

Pro tip: wear a pant with no hole when you need to knee down for any work

[@mynorchinchilla2932]

Yo that is not tar my boy. That mastic has asbestos and you just planing it up into your lungs 😢

[@beanieweenie9543]

Another agent from the asbestos task force

[@mynorchinchilla2932]

My bad. I just don’t want people to watch and unknowingly rip into asbestos and suffer later in life because they tackled a diy home project.

[@beanieweenie9543]

@@mynorchinchilla2932just because it is black mastic doesn’t mean it is asbestos. Not all black mastic contained asbestos not even in the pre 80s mastic. He already stated in the comment of the very first episode of this series that he would be testing it.

[@groundupRVA]

He said it’s 6 millimeter plastic 😂😂😂

[@ModernBuilds]

Yeah my bad on that…. 😂

[@codetech5598]

​@@ModernBuildsA "mil" is one thousandths of an inch.

[@alexsanabria9194]

I don't like the idea of puting concrete over plywood. Plywood has movement when we walk, etc.. will crack it.

[@jimsz3130]

Couldnt take anything seriously once I saw the big hole in the pants

[@Balls552]

Ttt

[@AB-nu5we]

This video didn't start with the 'Mike's First Flip' theme jingle. So disappointed. Floor underlayment looks great though.

[@Samtagri]

0:03 only Mike? I’m so used to hearing your full name that just Mike sounds weird.