How to Level Old Plywood for a Countertop

If you plan to replace your current countertop, but not the plywood underlayment beneath it, the old surface may need to be leveled. Old plywood can shrink over time, especially if it has ever gotten wet, and the board may be slightly warped or distorted in places. If you don't take the time to level off this plywood, your brand new countertop won't look right and you may end up having to rip everything out and start over.

Level
Pry bar
Wood shims
Hammer
Nails

Instructions

- 1
  Place a level on the center of the countertop. Examine the bubble in the level. If it is leaning to the left, the left side of the counter needs to be raised and vice versa.
- 2
  Pry up the plywood sheet over the low area with a pry bar. You need room between the base cabinet and the plywood to insert shims. You do not need to pry the plywood up all the way, just enough to create an inch or so of space to work.
- 3
  Insert a wood shim between the base cabinet and the plywood in the low spot. Tap the edge of the shim until it is wedged into place firmly.
- 4
  Take another level reading. If the readout is still not level, use a bigger shim in the spot. Repeat until you get a level readout.
- 5
  Reattach the plywood to the base cabinet. Pound the nails back into the plywood so that the seal between the base and the plywood is tight.

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