That job in a 1920s house in Pasadena changed how I prep floors

I mean, I thought I knew what I was doing until I pulled up the old carpet and found the original wood planks were all different heights. Some were worn down a full quarter inch. My old boss, Frank, was there and just said 'kid, you can't just pad over that.' We spent a whole day with a floor sander and leveling compound before we even thought about tack strips. Now I always check for level with a long straight edge first, no matter what. Anyone else run into crazy uneven subfloors in old places?

2 comments

2 Comments

stellawood1mo ago

Frank just watched you pull up that carpet like a kid opening a cursed birthday present. The look on your face when you saw that rollercoaster floor must have been priceless. A full quarter inch drop is the house telling you it has a personality. At least you learned the hard way with someone who knew to bring the leveling compound. My first solo job had a dip so bad I almost lost a wheeled office chair in it.

hannaho521mo ago

Reminds me of my old kitchen floor swallowing spoons.