Check if the floor is level before installing new linoleum (from a roll, not tiles)

floorinstallationlevellinoleumremodeling

I just tore up my old linoleum flooring and will be installing new linoleum in the next few days. Some internet research has revealed that I need to make sure the floor is level and, if it is not perfectly level, pour leveler over it.

Let's assume that my floor is not perfectly level. What are the implications of installing the new floor even if the unlevelness is completely unnoticeable? I am not one for cutting corners on home improvement work, but if it's truly not necessary to make it perfectly level then I would be okay with skipping that step.

Best Answer

You likely need flat, not level.

And for that, all you really need is some sort of a long, straight edge. A yard stick works pretty well ... just place it down anywhere you think there might be a dip or bump, and if the yard stick is flat against the floor its whole length, you're fine.

As for the implications of not having it flat, I'm not sure for linoleum. For floating floors it's really hard to get everything to click together, and you'll end up with spots that bounce a little too much when you walk over it. You can actually have a little imperfection, which will be mentioned on the package (eg, 1/8" over 4')

As for not having it level, things set on the ground will roll away.