I have an old house that is probably about a hundred years old. The floors are, I think, the original hardwood, and they are not in great shape. Part of the house is also sagging towards the middle; we've been told this is not dangerous, but it is a bit unsightly. The length of the house also has this bizarre strip of carpet running from the entryway to the back.
We are getting tired of getting splinters from the floor. I was also thinking of installing a floating floor of laminate above the hardwood in the living and dining room (and the existing carpet portion), and carpet in the bedrooms.
Can this be done? I would like to keep the hardwood under it all, and have the new stuff easy to remove if we ever changed our minds.
Also, would it be possible to use padding or something to try to even out the part of the floor where the sagging is worst?
I don't perform many flooring projects. So note my opinion from my limited experience is any height variance in the floor is going to allow for possible disconnections in a floating floor. I think you COULD install and perhaps build it up- not recomended with multiple layers of padding.
Just note that any reputable installer won't be providing a warranty. Unless they have a confident solution to the sagging areas that Im not aware-if that case I would commend them.
I would also recomend you get the sag of the house examined but a qualified engineer. Older homes sometimes suffer damage or poor building practices. Even the wood quality can be an issue (large knots) comprimising joist strength.
There is likely a solution to be had for fixing the structure of the home. I would put more value on that then the new floor. If it is a large issues sometimes you can jave your home insurance become involved.
Best of luck.
Tom
As a tradesperson and company owner I strongly advise you to seek advice and professional assistance to fix the sag first prior to any further flooring commencement . Absurd to cover over and to be perfectly honest shame on any contractor that would.
I have a few recommendations for you concerning your sloping floor. First if you want to keep all the original hardwood flooring it would be best to just send it all out and refinish it it would cost less than putting a new laminate floor on top. If you want to get rid of the slope you can use floor leveler but that will destroy your old floor. The most expensive way is to rip all the flooring up and reframe the floor joist level and then add new flooring. With a laminate flooring you could not use padding to Beef It Up that is a no no.
Over and out, hope this helps you.
Jeff
Like Rory I too strongly recommend getting advice from a local professional. As for covering the hardwood with a floating laminate floor there is an under-pad that normally installed and could serve to somewhat protect the hardwood. But from what you said "getting splinters from the floor it doesn't sound like there is anything worth saving. With regard to the sagging floor DO NOT use layers of padding to try and level things. Get a professional to get under the house and see what actually needs to be shored up.
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