How to Remodel a Sagging Floor

Non-Structural Damage

• 1

  Remove any dust and debris from the sagging area of the floor. Use a mop with a mild detergent. Allow it to remain damp. This encourages the compound bonding.

• 2

  Combine leveler compound and water in a large bucket. Mix it until the consistency matches pancake batter.

• 3

  Cover the sagging floor with the leveler using a cement trowel. Place more in the sagging area, building it up to match the rest of the flooring. Let the mixture set for approximately six to eight hours.

• 4

  Attach medium-grit sandpaper to a handheld sander, and sand the area. Sweep and vacuum the area to remove any dust. Place your new flooring on top of the newly repaired area.

Structural Damage

• 5

  Stretch a string from the bottom of the wall across the center of the room to the bottom of the adjacent wall. Where the floor sags, measure how far it is from the string to the floor. This is how much adjustment you will make to correct the sag.

• 6

  Locate the sagging area under your home or in the basement.

• 7

  Hang the drop light and locate the area around the sagging floor that is higher.

• 8

  Place a block of scrap wood under the beam. Set the hydraulic jack on the block of wood, and raise it to remove pressure from the post that supports the floor.

• 9

  Measure the post that is high. Saw the bottom of the post and use your hammer to tap it gently and remove it.

• 10

  Measure a new 2-by-6 board and cut it the amount of your sag measurement shorter than the post you removed. For instance, if the measurement from the string to the floor was 1 1/2 inch, cut the new post that amount shorter than the original post. Nail the new board to the floor beam with 16-penny nails. Attach all four sides.

• 11

  Follow the same procedure in the low areas of the floor, except cut the new 2-by-6 boards longer by the amount of the sag measurement to raise the sagging area. After leveling the floor, cover it with your choice of new floor covering.