Subfloor Leveling & Concrete Grinding in Vancouver — Flat, Warranty-Ready Floors
Professional subfloor leveling in Vancouver and concrete grinding for vinyl plank (LVP/SPC), laminate, hardwood, and tile. We correct high spots, fill dips, and create smooth, stable substrates that help prevent deflection, squeaks, hollow spots, and premature failure across Metro Vancouver & the Lower Mainland.
Subfloor prep is where quality starts. We verify flatness, address problem areas, and leave a smooth surface that helps flooring systems perform as intended—especially with click-LVP, glued installations, and tile.
Subfloor Leveling & Concrete Grinding in Vancouver
If you’re planning vinyl plank (LVP/SPC), laminate, hardwood, or tile, subfloor flatness matters. We provide professional subfloor leveling, concrete grinding, and floor preparation for condos, homes, retail, restaurants, clinics, offices, and new builds across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, and the North Shore.
Why Flatness Matters Before You Install Flooring
Many “flooring problems” are actually prep problems. High spots create rocking planks and hollow tile; low areas create flex, clicking, and stress on joints. The right mix of grinding, patching, and self-leveling brings the surface within tolerance so the finished floor installs cleaner and performs longer.
Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Services We Provide
Concrete Grinding
High spots, ridges, paint/thinset residue, old glue and trowel marks — flattened with commercial grinders and dust control.
- Targeted high-spot removal
- Adhesive & coating residue reduction
- Cleaner transitions at doorways
Self-Leveling Underlayment
Primed and poured leveling systems that fill dips and waves to meet flatness tolerances for modern floors.
- Room-to-room plane consistency
- Depth-based system selection
- Smoother installs for click-LVP & tile
Wood Subfloor Flattening
Plywood/OSB prep with fastening strategy, seam correction, patching and approved underlayment systems.
- Reduce squeaks and bounce
- Flatten seams to prevent telegraphing
- Substrate-ready for floating or glued installs
Moisture-Aware Priming
Correct primers and compatible systems support bond strength and predictable cures, especially on condo slabs and basements.
- Primer matched to substrate & product
- Better adhesion and fewer failures
- Consistent surface for final flooring
Planning tile? Start with our pillar guide: tile installation in Vancouver. For stricter tolerances, see: large-format tile installation.
Common Subfloor Problems We Fix
- ✓High spots & ridges — grinding flattens humps, patch edges, and trowel marks.
- ✓Dips & waves — leveling fills low areas so planks don’t flex or click.
- ✓Old adhesive residue — removal improves bond and reduces telegraphing.
- ✓Uneven plywood seams — patching/flattening supports cleaner floating floors.
- ✓Doorway transitions — plane corrections for clean threshold details.
- ✓Movement points & cracks — plan prep steps before tile and large format layouts.
Our Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Process
1) Site review & measurements
We confirm substrate type, identify highs/lows, and plan scope around your final flooring (tile, LVP, hardwood, laminate).
- Flatness mapping and transition planning
- Access & protection considerations (condos/strata)
2) Grinding & surface prep
Grinding first reduces high spots and often lowers how much leveling compound is needed.
- High spot removal
- Residue reduction where required
- Cleaner plane for leveling
3) Priming & leveling
We apply compatible primers and levelers/patch systems based on depth, area size, and product requirements.
- Self-leveling pours or trowel-applied patch
- Edge control at cabinets/doorways
4) Final checks & handoff
We confirm the surface is smooth and within tolerance so your finished flooring installs cleanly and performs as intended.
- Flatness verification
- Ready-for-install cleanup
Subfloor Prep Requirements by Flooring Type
Vinyl Plank (LVP/SPC) & Laminate
Floating floors need a flat base to protect locking joints and prevent clicking, gaps, and telegraphing.
- High spot removal + seam correction
- Leveling in low areas for joint stability
Hardwood & Engineered
Stable support reduces deflection and helps floors feel solid. Prep depends on nail-down, glue-down, or floating assemblies.
- Plane corrections at dips/seams
- Fastening strategy on wood subfloors
Tile & Large-Format Tile
Tile magnifies imperfections. Large format demands stricter flatness to control lippage and hollow spots.
- Flatness mapping + plane correction
- Prep planned for layout and transitions
Commercial Floors
Scheduling, access, and durability matter. We coordinate prep so other trades can keep moving.
- After-hours or phased work (as needed)
- Protection for adjacent finishes
Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Cost in Vancouver
Every site is different — slab condition, thickness, access, and final flooring choice affect cost. Use these ranges to plan; your written estimate is project-specific.
| Line Item | Typical Range* | What Affects It |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete grinding (light–moderate) | $2 – $6 / sq ft | High spots, adhesive removal, slab hardness, access |
| Self-leveling underlayment | $3 – $9 / sq ft | Depth, primer system, room size, cure time, logistics |
| Wood subfloor prep & patching | $2 – $7 / sq ft | Seams, squeaks, fastening, underlayment build |
| Crack awareness / specialty prep | By quote | Movement points, tile format, standards, scope |
| Commercial / after-hours scheduling | By quote | Timing, site rules, protection, noise windows |
*Planning ranges only. For an exact quote, we’ll measure, check conditions, and itemize scope. Request your free estimate.
Service Areas — Metro Vancouver & Lower Mainland
Vancouver & North Shore
Downtown, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, North/West Vancouver — condo slab prep and tile-ready surfaces.
Richmond, Burnaby & New West
Grinding, leveling, adhesive reduction and prep for vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood and tile.
Surrey, Langley & Tri-Cities
New builds and renovations — wood subfloor flattening, leveling pours and commercial prep.
More service areas
Delta, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, White Rock and surrounding Lower Mainland communities.
Related Services (Internal Links)
Use the dedicated pages below for deeper guidance and tighter intent matching.
Tile Installation (Pillar)
Main guide for standards, planning, and pricing. View tile installation.
Large-Format Tile Installation
Stricter tolerances, panels and slabs. View large-format tile.
Wall & Shower Tile
Waterproofing, niches and wet-area details. Explore wall & shower tile.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation
Clean outlet cuts and designer layouts. See backsplash services.
Subfloor Leveling & Grinding FAQs
How do I know if my subfloor needs leveling?
Common signs include dips or waves, clicking in floating floors, tile lippage, cracked grout lines, gaps at seams, or soft spots. A site assessment confirms what prep is required.
Is leveling required before vinyl plank or laminate installation?
In most cases, yes. Modern floating floors require a surface that meets flatness tolerances; otherwise joints can separate, the floor can click, and wear can accelerate.
Do you level both wood and concrete subfloors?
Yes. We prep concrete slabs (grinding + leveling) and wood subfloors (fastening, patching, flattening and appropriate underlayment systems) depending on your flooring requirements.
How long does subfloor leveling take?
Many projects can be completed in one day, but cure time depends on product thickness and site conditions. Condos and commercial projects may require specific scheduling for access and noise windows.
Can you grind off old glue and adhesive residue?
Yes. We can reduce many adhesive residues and surface contaminants to support better bond and smoother installs. The best method depends on what’s on the slab.
Will leveling fix squeaky floors?
Squeaks usually come from movement in the subfloor or fasteners. Leveling helps, but the best results come from correcting movement (fastening strategy, patching, underlayment plan) and then flattening before installation.
Get a Free Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Quote
Before you install vinyl plank, hardwood, laminate, or tile, make sure the substrate is flat, stable, and ready. Call 778-803-4737 or request a quote online.
#130 – 7900 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 1A5
Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland
Information on this page is for planning and education. Final recommendations depend on site conditions, substrate type, and the flooring system being installed.