I could go on and on about the importance of your subfloor and how critical that is for your flooring. After all, it is the base and if that foundation is not in good shape, do not expect good things for the flooring on top. Often minor discrepancies (especially if they are very gradual) can be taken care of with hardwood and there are ways to smooth out the floor.
Also, it's important, when you have questions or things look odd, to call in a flooring contractor - someone who specializes in flooring.
This afternoon, I went to go visit a repeat customer about some hardwood he wants to add to an attic room. We have done 3 jobs with him, and he has had a contractor working on this section of his new home (adding a new stair case and various other things) and he told me the contractor wants this job, but due to his loyalty, he'd prefer to give it to me. Well after my quick assessment, I think he'd be crazy to go with that contractor.
So, the conversation starts with how the contractor told him that he needs to refinish a large area of the 2nd floor. An area that we refinished less than 3 months ago that now needs some additional wood as they've added space. This would have caused MAJOR inconvenience for my customer as they would need to move out and be away, but honestly, based on the weave in that needed to happen, this was completely unncessary. Instead, only a small area needs to be done Not sure if the contractor was just trying to get more money or if he just doesn't know his stuff.
Second, the contractor told him that he HAD to do unfinished hardwood upstairs so that he can sand the floors to "even them out." That sounded a bit strange to me. Now, I do believe that we should use unfinished hardwood here...but for a DIFFERENT reason - we need to match the stain colors and make sure the 2nd floor, steps, 3rd floor and railings match. Also, this will save my customer money and it's the way that he prefers the hardwood to look (he doesn't want the beveled edges that you see on prefinished hardwood).
So, then I went up to the room and pointed out that the plywood boards are uneven - some are higher than others. I said that it wouldn't look right if we did that and the wood might even crack and as I explained this, both the husband and wife said this made sense. I explained that sanding would help a tad, but asked why would you knowingly install on an uneven floor. I then asked why the floor was uneven and I couldn't get a clear answer. I walked on it in my socks and part didn't feel secure...I few of them even felt bouncy and that I might fall in (and I don't weigh that much). I then asked if it was 1/2 plywood. (I explained how solid hardwood needs to be nailed into 3/4" plywood (not 1/2"). We pryed one of the boards up,and of course, it was 1/2" and that explained the discrepancies in the plywood. Apparently, the contractor had put in some boards which were 3.4" and left the remaining boards.
So, not only was this contractor about to install hardwood on an uneven surface, but he was also about to install on 1/2" plywood...a clear no no. I really dont' get why he would think this would be okay. It's a double whammy.
So, of course, now I'm providing an estimate to remove and replace the plywood on half the floors. I'm hoping I can help this customer with this 4th job. We shall see.
If you do find that that something doesn't sound right, it's always best to get a second opinion and call someone in who specializes in the area you want to get done.
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