Wonky floorboards - do I contact carpenters or joiners?

woodsford

Hi all,

I have a carpet and you can feel the bumps in the floor due to the floorboards under the carpet. The floorboards are fine - not in a state of disrepair just a bit wonky.

I am planning to get a new carpet with a thick underlay, but I would like someone to make the floorboards a bit more even. 

Is this sort of thing carpenters do or should I contact joiners?

Thanks in advance.

SameOldRoundabout

Either really! Only thing I will say, as someone married to a joiner, joinery and furniture making require a lot more precision than standard chippies. My OH never settles for less than perfect due to his job requiring that. 

Doozergirl

You might just need some hardboard laying over the floor to level it slightly.  Or better underlay and thicker carpet! 

neilmcl

woodsford said:

Hi all,

I have a carpet and you can feel the bumps in the floor due to the floorboards under the carpet. The floorboards are fine - not in a state of disrepair just a bit wonky.

I am planning to get a new carpet with a thick underlay, but I would like someone to make the floorboards a bit more even. 

Is this sort of thing carpenters do or should I contact joiners?

Thanks in advance.

The floorboards may just need re-securing, pretty straightforward and easy job to screw the board(s) back in to place yourself.

FreeBear

neilmcl said: The floorboards may just need re-securing, pretty straightforward and easy job to screw the board(s) back in to place yourself.

Do be mindful of any pipes or cables running under the boards. It is all too common for joists to be notched, pipes & cables laid in, and no protection (steel plates) put over the top before putting the boards down.

I've used 5mm thick wood fibre (as used for laminate underlay) as a base layer to level out a floor. Once underlay & carpet is added, you can't tell what state the floorboards are in. Downside is it does increase the threshold level, so doors need trimming.

Mickey666

I've done a similar thing with 6mm ply screwed into the existing boards, though I like the idea of using wood fibre boards.  As you say, once a decent underlay is added the carpet sits level and no depressions or ridges appear after a while.

I've used a Fein Multitool to trim the doors without needing to remove them.  Needs some patience but is still faster than removing the door in cases where centuries of paint have coated the screws (sometimes nails!) and hinges.  With a newish door and clean screws/hinges it's probably easier to remove the door first.

woodsford

Thanks everyone - very helpful and noted!

Have a good evening all.