When most homeowners picture their new floors, they imagine the finished look. The beautiful hardwood, clean laminate, or durable vinyl that completely reshapes their home. But before you get to that, there’s a crucial step that determines how long your floor will actually last: floor prep.
Here in Bend, we’ve seen a big difference between how different installers approach this step. A lot of crews in town will show up, tear out the old floor, give the subfloor a quick sweep, and start laying planks. Your floors might look fine for a while, but a few months down the road you might start hearing creaks, feeling soft spots, or seeing tiny gaps open up.
That’s almost always because the subfloor wasn’t properly prepared.
What is Floor Prep? The Easton Flooring Process
Floor prep means getting your subfloor flat, solid, clean, and ready for a long-lasting installation. And no matter what, every single floor needs it. Even newly constructed homes require prep work to meet the manufacturer's standards.
Unfortunately, most subfloor issues are hidden and It’s hard to tell exactly what’s needed during an initial estimate, especially if the old floor is carpeted. That's why our process is meticulous. We address both wood and concrete subfloors based on their unique needs.
For Wood Subfloors
In Central Oregon, most homes have wood subfloors, which require a detailed approach.
- Deep Cleaning: We go through the entire subfloor with scrapers and hammers to make sure every single staple, chunk of drywall mud, and spot of glue is removed. We also countersink every subfloor nail so nothing protrudes. If we’re installing new hardwood, we also sand off any paint, which can interfere with the adhesive.
- Sanding and Leveling: We sand all the subfloor seams, which often have peaks or variations where one sheet is thicker than the one next to it. We also address high and low spots over the floor joists.
- Ensuring Flatness: We take a 6-foot level across the entire subfloor in multiple directions. The goal is to get the floor flat to within 1/8 of an inch over a 6-foot span, which is the strict requirement for most flooring warranties.
For Concrete Subfloors
Concrete is a different story. As a porous material, it acts like a sponge, and moisture is always a primary concern. Our process for concrete includes grinding down any high spots, performing moisture tests to see how much vapor is present, and applying the correct moisture vapor retarder to protect your new floors.
Fixing Low Spots and Major Issues
For minor dips and low spots in both wood and concrete, we use a high-quality patching compound like Uzin 888 to create a perfectly smooth surface.
For older houses or homes with more significant unevenness, self-leveling compound is sometimes necessary. We prefer to use Uzin’s fiber-reinforced self-leveler. It's a premium product and its durability is unmatched. The fiber reinforcement allows it to flex with a wood subfloor’s natural movement without cracking and ensures a stable foundation for years to come.
See our comprehensive install process
The Risks of Skipping Floor Prep
Here are some of the common issues we've seen over the years when essential floor prep gets ignored by an installation team:
- Gaps and Lifting: Floors that aren’t flat can flex underfoot, causing planks to separate at the joints.
- Creaking or Hollow Spots: These often come from voids under the boards where the subfloor dips.
- Premature Wear: Floating floors, especially, can move unevenly and cause the locking systems to wear out faster.
- Voided Warranties: Many manufacturers will void their warranties if the floor wasn’t installed on a properly prepped subfloor.
We were recently contacted to repair a failing LVP floor in a rental property near Neff Rd in Bend. The customer admitted they had gone with the lowest bid, and unfortunately, the results showed it. The flooring was gapping, chipping, separating, splitting, and even cracking throughout the home.
Because a full replacement wasn’t in the budget, we focused on repairing the worst areas. But once we started cutting out the damaged planks, it became immediately clear why the floor had failed:
- Seams and joints were placed too close together, creating weak points.
- No sanding or prep work had been done on the subfloor.
- The subfloor hadn’t even been vacuumed—chunks of wood, dried glue, and debris were left behind.
- Incredibly, we found one section installed directly over a piece of leftover LVP flooring.
- Several locking mechanisms were broken during installation, compromising plank stability.
Check out some images from this job below:
This kind of shortcut installation may save money upfront, but it almost always leads to expensive repairs, or even full replacements, later on.
Why Proper Floor Prep Pays Off
In Bend’s high-desert climate, proper subfloor prep is essential. Here’s how you as a homeowner benefit when your install team puts in the work:
- Floors Last Longer: A flat surface minimizes stress on joints and prevents unwanted movement.
- Better Comfort: Walking on a solid, quiet floor feels noticeably different.
- A Cleaner Look: Tight seams and even transitions make your floor look truly exceptional.
- Fewer Callbacks and Repairs: You avoid costly and frustrating fixes down the road.
- Warranty Protection: You ensure your investment is covered by the manufacturer.
When you invest in quality flooring, it deserves a quality foundation. At Easton Flooring, we’d rather spend the extra time making sure your subfloor is perfect than rush through and risk problems later.
What to expect from us
When we provide an estimate, we’ll inspect your subfloor and let you know what prep work we anticipate. However, the full scope often isn’t clear until the old flooring comes out.
Some homes in Bend have subfloors that are already in great shape, while others need more attention. Either way, we’ll show you exactly what we find, explain the "why" behind our recommendations, and ensure you understand where your money is going. We believe in honesty, transparency, and craftsmanship, values that have made Easton Flooring one of Bend’s most trusted installation teams.
If you're considering new flooring for your Central Oregon home, we'd love to provide a detailed estimate based on your specific situation. Every home is different, and the only way to get an accurate price is through an in-person consultation. See our comprehensive install process or book a consultation below!
