Repairing Subfloor After Glued Down Wood Tear Out . . . (how to mix floor leveler)

In this video we go over the steps for what it takes to repair a sub floor after you have torn out glued down hardwood. Glued down wood tends to stick to the sub floor causing chunks of the original subfloor to tear out during the demolition process. In some cases it is necessary to put floor patch or floor leveler over these surfaces to make a smooth flat surface for floor installation. Follow us as we take this job from old floor to new floor ready.
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[@sarahjordan9172]

We just went through this in our house we're getting ready list. Engineered wood floor glued down to wood subfloor. What an absolute mess! It looks exactly like this video.

[@YOUFLOOR]

Yeah. Sorry to here that. Hope you got it taken care off. Thanks for the comment

[@obrapro]

You should ALWAYS wear a mask mixing this stuff-It will sit in your lungs and harden! Happened to a family member.

[@YOUFLOOR]

Thanks for the tip

[@ALDOventura-dl5gf]

Ty with you help on floor levelling

[@nevinleiby]

Excellent video. Loved the practical tips!

[@YOUFLOOR]

No problem, Nevin thanks for the comment

[@cheapscotsman]

We just pulled out the 1/4 underlayment that had parquet on it. We put in new underlayment 1/2 over the subfloor for new LVT floor.

[@5hbosse]

We just finished ripping up our glued down bamboo floor (put in 4 years ago at the recommendation of LL) and now need to repair our subfloor! This was so helpful!! #gluesucks #lumberliquidatorssucktoo

[@YOUFLOOR]

@Hannah Hoskins yes glue down tearout can be a nightmare!! Glad it worked out for you. Tks for the comment!

[@charliehuntsman9827]

Its awesome to see a wife and husband team you guys kick ass . Ive done flooring for years now and have used floor level a few times usually my buddy (RIP Ian N) would rip up the old sub floor or go over it with quarter inch and then reinstall base board is that wrong ? Miss Ian very much lost him in 2020 they said covid but he definitely had a drinking problem for sure so who knows these days im sure the hospital got a kock back or aome shit. Love the toilet trick that looks very helpful man thank you and your wife very much !!! And as my buddy would always say rock on 🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘

[@YOUFLOOR]

Thanks for the comment! Rock on. . . & it’s not wrong it’s just a different way to do it!

[@charliehuntsman9827]

@@YOUFLOOR thanks for commenting back to me much appreciated 👍🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘🔥 rock on dudes .

[@DavidSchroeder]

Great info for someone about to rip out 500sqft of glue down on OSB. Man does it rip out the OSab subfloor. I’ll have to do some serious leveling I guess. Our baseboards are out. What do I do a the subfloor edge to stop leveling solution running down wall??

[@YOUFLOOR]

We use great stuff spray foam under the baseboards. Let it expand and then cut it flush with the baseboard with a razor knife. Then the leveler wont run under the walls. Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@filtereffectx]

Great video I have a Engineered Bamboo floor that is solid and glued down to rip out I am too old for this LOL can I just go with 1/4 plywood then luxury vynal planks over the 1/4 plywood. Thanks

[@YOUFLOOR]

You can. But if the bamboo is in good shape and pretty flat, you shouldn't need the plywood. I would go right down on the bamboo if I'm installing a floating floor. Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@charleshines2142]

I have seen how hard it can be to get away without dusting a whole house. That is because I know a person who removed thin set. I can just imagine the tedious nightmare it is. Then that dust was everywhere. It is worse than that, it gets all over you and takes forever to shampoo that crap out of your hair too!!

[@MrJdh567]

Can you use the self leveler over the glue, like you are showing, then put more subfloor over it to raise the floor? I imagine you'd have to use concrete screws or a little bit longer screws to get through the self leveler and glue layer. My subfloor with the glue on it is about 3/4 inch lower than it needs to be and I was trying to remove all of the glue before putting another subfloor layer down so I can lay my floor at the proper height.

[@YOUFLOOR]

I personally wouldn't do that. If you bust up any of the leveler in the process you may hear some crunching sounds under the floor. Use shim and place them on the old floor like floor joist. Then lay you ne plywood on that. Then, if you still need to use leveler for smaller areas, it will hold up pretty good. That's how I would do it

[@randyw84832]

Thanks for the video. How well would this work for OSB repair?

[@YOUFLOOR]

This was done on osb

[@randyw84832]

@@YOUFLOOR geez I'm an idiot. I thought it was plywood the entire time.

[@wildebot]

Would you recommend henry/ardex feather finish for small areas? I just pulled up glued engineered hardwood in the kitchen, luckily there was linoleum underneath and only a few areas need filling, about 30 sqft. New cabinets are already in and self-leveler seems a bit messier. Any tips? Also, great video!!

[@YOUFLOOR]

Sound like you got it all under control. Feather finish is fine. Especially going over glue residue. Thanks for the question

[@victorvek5227]

The directions for that product require a minimum thickness of 1/8” and the use of metal lath when applied over wooden substrate. Some corners are best left uncut.

[@c50ge]

Can you use a squeegee on a pole to spread the leveler out?

[@YOUFLOOR]

I would personally not use a squeegee. You can real move this stuff around and it sets up quick. If you use a squeegee you may push a hump or it can get more thick on one side. I have used and suggest a rake. The kind you would use ok a softball field are great. But a regular I large one will work. But it allows you to move the leveler But not too much. Run it through your leveler all the way across and then feather out the edges on dips. If going against a wall. Just pour and pull from the wall to you. Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@chadpatten1343]

I going to be installing a nailed down tongue and groove wood floor. The old floor was glued down and my subfloor looks about like this one did in many places. Im assuming the way you fixed the issue in this video would not work for me due to me nailing or stapling the floor down. What would you have done if you had the same sub floor issues you had here but were going to nail the floor down?

[@YOUFLOOR]

Well I have been told that there is a product out there that you can put down to fill in the holes then you can drive staple though it. But to tell you the truth , I just have never seen it Or used it. And for that reason I would probably have to cut the plywood out and replace it of its to bad to lay floor on. Hardwood needs to lay really flat. Any slight difference in subfloor height, even and 1/8 inch is noticeable in the final product. I never understood why someone would glue a floor down to wood when there's floating , staple down, and nail down available. Save glue down for the concrete. Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@mikaylageringer8323]

Did you sand over any of the gouges that were made in the wood subfloor before applying the primer and leveler?

[@YOUFLOOR]

No, I did not sand, but I floor scraper over the whole floor to make sure there were no humps.

[@Grey-Ghost]

I have to do this. New build home but after 6 years the engineered wood floors look terrible.

[@YOUFLOOR]

Just a tip. Over the past couple of years, I've been using a rotary hammer drill with a chisel bit, and it has really helped in removing glue down the floor without so many gouches. I sent a link to show you what I mean, but you can use any brand. Probably rent one if you are o ly doing one job with it www.authorizedtooloutlet.com/products/dewalt-dch133b-20v-max-xr-brushless-1-d-handle-rotary-hammer-drill-1?variant=44294514376926&currency=USD&Bshopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgK2qBhCHARIsAGACuzn49Qzhr0EnwHWh2rOstB7MaBJJEAPgrJB9BDy4tRiCMI_lzoIl4qoaAvSIEALw_wcB. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment

[@Jackie717tattoo]

Would I be able to put the self leveler over sticky subfloor? I watched your video with the baby powder trick, would I be able to prime over the baby powder and then pour the leveler? Thank you so much, love your videos!

[@Jackie717tattoo]

Sorry me again, I just read a response from you to a question someone asked from the baby powder trick. Looks like you recommended Luan sheets over the sticky subfloor if I wanted to put down glue down or sticky tiles? I ripped up the tiles but damaged areas of my subfloor and trying to figure out what would be best. Thanks 🙂 I’m looking to sell my home and wanted to go with a low cost solution.

[@YOUFLOOR]

Hey Jackie, thanks for the question. Yeah, with baby powder all ready on it. If you are trying to go the self leveller method, you may have to take a shop vac and make sure you get any excess powder up and then try using some kills to prime over at first before you put the self leveling primer. If you are doing peal and sticky tiles that actually stick to the floor, I would definitely suggest using luan to cap it. That's generally what you do when installing vinyl. And it makes a super flat surface. Using a self self leveler will work. But you have to make sure that it is super flat. And that you use the primer to make sure that it sticks to your subfloor. if you try to stick or glue wood down to self leveler and it's not adhered to the subfloor well, it could come up in chunks. That's why I suggested the luan to the other person. They were just too far gone for self leveler, and they were using sticky tiles. Hope that helps. Feel free to ask any questions, and if you have any long, detailed questions, you can email me at [e-mail]. have a great day

[@Jackie717tattoo]

Thank you so much for your suggestions and the quick reply, you rock! 😀

[@ritarushing3274]

Can you install the new flooring on top of the old engineered wood?

[@YOUFLOOR]

The only way that would work is if the old flooring was properly secured to the floor( glued or nailed down. You're not supposed to install a floating floor on top of another floating floor. Hope that helps.

[@charleshines2142]

I just have some cat urine that made it to the layer under the foam and I am praying it didn't go deeper. What about just taking that OSB layer off to not just put down a fresh piece but to inspect under it while it is off?

[@garrettmasaoka6330]

Could subfloor leveler be used to fix a laminate countertop substrate so a new laminate sheet can be put down?

[@YOUFLOOR]

I'll be honest I've never tried that. I imagine if it's poured thick enough, it could support it. I just know the thinner you go, the more it will crumble.

[@BenBen-jl2ft]

how much height does the floor leveler add to the subfloor? i laid floor on plywood subfloor that had carpet on it. But that subfloor continues into another room where there was both glue and thinset. I used a floor sander to get rid of as much of the glue and thinset as possible but i'm now thinking I should just put down floor leveler. Problem is I want the floor from the room that had carpet to flow into the room that had thinset. I'm using solid bamboo hardwood, so there isn't much room for flexibility

[@YOUFLOOR]

Is this a naildown bamboo or a floating floor. The leveler comes out as thick as you pour it. You can skim coat it all to a feather edge all the way up to around a 1/4 to 1/2 inches. Sometimes it's necessary to pour one layer and let it dry. Then do a second layer to build it up to the desired height. Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@BenBen-jl2ft]

@@YOUFLOOR thanks for the answer. It's floating bamboo, click lock, so it's gotta be very precise. I'm in between a rock and a hard place. I sanded down the thin set and glue but it's not perfectly smooth like bare OSB. So I can lay the bamboo floor and hope it works, or I can use leveler but then need to use a transition strip right at a very visible, high traffic spot

[@YOUFLOOR]

@@BenBen-jl2ft Do your planks already have the pad attached or are you having to roll out pad? You can experiment with felt paper (roofing paper) if you are just looking to have a smooth surface to install on - just test out a 3-4 ft section and lay some of your planks down on it and see if that would help any. Just a thought. If you want to email me some pics, I can take a look and see if there is anything else I can come up with email is [e-mail] Also wanted to ask if you are installing bamboo quarter round as well?

[@BenBen-jl2ft]

@@YOUFLOOR Hi thanks for the response and pardon my delay. The planks do not have the pad, they are solid bamboo (Eco Forest from Floor & Decor) so I need to lay down an underlayment first. You think the felt paper would absorb some of the bumps? I sanded down the floor with a heavy duty drum sander but the floor had thinset from previous tile but the thinset was on top of glue from an even older flooring, so it was the worst of all worlds. Plus the house is 50 yrs old so the plywood subfloor is a bit wavy and this solid bamboo doesn't like anything other than perfectly flat and perfectly level

[@elektrikman8834]

I cannot believe you left the base down

[@YOUFLOOR]

I've been blowing minds for a minute now. Thanks for the comment

[@angiebeckman115]

We just got a house that has a concrete subfloor in the basement. We tore out the asbestos tiles that were glued to it and it has glue and some unlevel spots. Will the material you used here be ok to level the floor with under the new vapor barrier? We plan in putting in a floating floor and are not sure how to properly level it beforehand

[@YOUFLOOR]

Absolutely. You should be able to level out the floors and still be able.to install a vapor barrier before installing your flooring. Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@aarondrake732]

I am also taking glue off of concrete. I can get the glue down to the concrete but there is still a slight film of glue on the concrete. Will self leveler bond properly or do I need to completely remove the glue. It looks like younleft glue on the osb in your video?

[@leannedeco9484]

Can I save my hardwood floor that is glued down?

[@YOUFLOOR]

Usually glued down hardwood tears pieces of the subfloor with it along with lots of glue. I would not save it for future flooring projects. It would be a lot of work to clean each plank. Makes great . Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@alejandrorios1578]

How many bags of leveler did you use?

[@YOUFLOOR]

For this job I believe we use 4. We mostly skim coated to fill in all the small holes and about an 1/8 of an in to a 1/4 of an inch in the craters an dips. Hope that helps. Thanks for the question

[@ProfessionalPepper]

Buy an electric demolition hammer and use a 1" chisel bit. You will still rip up some subfloor, but it will go faster.

[@YOUFLOOR]

I actually bought a Dewalt hammer drill it is amazing for this type of demo. Thanks for the comment

[@TheEbnk]

Oh the back ache! 😅

[@YOUFLOOR]

Yep. But you get to earn it and own it😁

[@leyla5263]

Hello, my name is Leyla and I am an Amazon seller, and I sell laser level on the website. I want to work with you, how can I contact you?

[@YOUFLOOR]

@Leyla You can email me at [e-mail] Thanks for reaching out!

[@irritatingindiana886]

Why would you do this

[@YOUFLOOR]

So I could install my floor on a flat surfaces. Thanks for the question

[@gweflj]

SL compound over ply is useless. Too much flex in ply. That will be a cracked mess after a month.

[@YOUFLOOR]

No, it won't. 4 years and still going strong. Thanks for playing you did it wrong.

[@AttainingExcellence]

Trump 2024! Make America Great Again AGAIN!

[@YOUFLOOR]

Heck yeah!