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, warranty-ready subfloors across Metro Vancouver & the Lower Mainland.
Professional Subfloor Leveling & Concrete Grinding in Vancouver, BC
Flat, strong and ready for vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood, tile and commercial flooring systems — serving Vancouver & the Lower Mainland.
If you’re searching for subfloor leveling in Vancouver or concrete grinding near me, you’re likely planning a new floor install. At Priority One Flooring, we provide professional subfloor leveling, concrete grinding and floor preparation for condos, homes, retail spaces, restaurants, clinics, offices and new builds across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley and the North Shore. Our team uses commercial grinders, dust-control practices, moisture-aware systems and high-performance leveling products to bring your slab or wood subfloor within tolerance — so your finished floor installs cleaner, performs better and aligns with manufacturer warranty expectations.
Why Flatness Matters Before You Install Flooring
- Eliminate high spots & ridges
- Correct dips, waves & low areas
- Reduce squeaks & floor movement
- Control tile lippage & hollow spots
- Protect vinyl & laminate locking joints
- Support flooring manufacturer warranties
Many “flooring problems” blamed on product are actually subfloor flatness, moisture or insufficient prep. Proper leveling and grinding is the foundation that helps prevent cracked grout, hollow tile, rocking planks, clicking sounds and premature wear — especially in Vancouver’s coastal climate and high-rise concrete slabs.
Tip: Send photos and approximate dimensions for a fast ballpark quote.
Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Services We Provide
Concrete Grinding
We grind high spots, ridges, paint, thinset and adhesive residue using commercial grinders to create a flatter slab before you install new flooring.
Self-Leveling Underlayment
We prime and pour self-leveling compound to fill dips and waves, creating a smooth, consistent plane that meets flatness standards for vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood and tile.
Wood Subfloor Flattening
We correct plywood/OSB subfloors using patching, fastening, sanding and approved underlayment systems to reduce squeaks and bounce before floating or nail-down floors.
Crack Awareness & Prep
We identify cracks and movement points and plan appropriate prep steps before tile or large-format installs to reduce telegraphing and stress.
Moisture-Aware Priming
We consider moisture risk and use the correct primer and system to support bond strength and consistent performance of leveling products.
Commercial Floor Prep
Fast, scheduled floor prep for retail, offices, restaurants and clinics — coordinated with project timelines to keep other trades moving.
Planning tile? Start with our Vancouver floor tile installation guide. For stricter tolerances, see our large-format tile installation page.
Why Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Is Crucial in Vancouver
Modern Floors Need Flatter Substrates
Today’s vinyl plank, laminate, engineered hardwood and large-format tile systems demand tighter flatness tolerances than older materials. Even small ridges or dips can create clicking, gaps, broken locking joints, hollow tile or visible lippage.
Condo Slabs Show Waves & Patch Areas
Vancouver and Burnaby condos often have patchy slabs, trowel marks and height differences at doorways and around kitchens. Grinding reduces high points; leveling fills low areas — usually the best combination for a quiet, premium finish.
Moisture & Bond Matter in Coastal BC
Moisture risk influences adhesion and long-term performance. We use appropriate primers and systems for the substrate and conditions so your leveling system bonds and cures consistently.
Tile & Large-Format Magnify Imperfections
The larger the tile, the more the subfloor needs to be flat. Large-format porcelain and slabs require careful lippage control — proper prep lets the installer focus on layout and craftsmanship instead of fighting the slab.
Good Prep Protects Your Investment
Floor prep is the smallest cost line on a properly done floor — and the most expensive step to redo if it’s skipped. Leveling reduces cracked grout, hollow spots, rocking planks and premature wear that lead to repair or replacement.
Cleaner Work in Finished Homes
Grinding can be messy without a plan. We use dust-control methods and site protection to keep your home, common areas and adjacent finishes cleaner while we prep for your flooring installation.
Common Subfloor Problems We Fix
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High spots & ridges – grinding flattens humps, patch edges and trowel marks.
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Dips & waves – self-leveling fills low areas so planks don’t flex or click.
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Old glue & adhesive residue – we remove residue to support better bond and smoother installs.
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Cracks & movement points – we plan appropriate prep steps before tile or large-format layouts.
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Uneven plywood seams – patching and flattening helps floating floors avoid telegraphing seams.
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Squeaks & bounce – we improve fastening and underlayment strategy so floors feel solid.
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Doorway & threshold transitions – we correct height issues so new flooring transitions cleanly.
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Failed or weak underlayments – we identify problem areas and rebuild with the right products.
If your floor is cracking, separating or clicking, the root cause is often subfloor prep. We’ll assess before you invest in new flooring.
Our Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Process
1) Site Review & Measurements
We confirm substrate type (concrete or wood), identify high and low areas, and plan scope around your final flooring (tile, vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood).
For condos, we also consider access, elevator protection, strata rules and noise windows.
2) Moisture Awareness & Priming
We look for moisture red flags and use the correct primer and system to support adhesion and consistent leveling performance.
Goal: strong bond and predictable cure.
3) Grinding & Surface Prep
We grind high spots, remove adhesives and flatten ridges so the slab is closer to plane before we pour leveling into low areas.
Grinding first often reduces how much leveling product is needed.
4) Leveling & Final Flatness Checks
We apply self-leveling or trowel-applied compound and check flatness requirements for your specific flooring system. We also address transitions at doorways and cabinetry lines.
Result: a smooth, flat, install-ready surface.
After prep, we can coordinate the next step — from wall & shower tile to kitchen backsplashes and floor tile installation in Vancouver.
Subfloor Requirements by Flooring Type
Vinyl Plank (LVP / SPC)
Floating vinyl needs a flat base so locking joints don’t separate, click or telegraph imperfections. We remove ridges, patch seams and pour leveling where required.
Outcome: quiet floors, tight joints and clean transitions.
Laminate
Laminate is sensitive to uneven subfloors. Proper leveling reduces flex and protects tongue-and-groove connections from long-term stress.
Outcome: fewer gaps, fewer squeaks, longer lifespan.
Hardwood & Engineered
Wood floors need stable support. We address dips and seams so nail-down or glue-down hardwood feels solid and helps reduce squeaks and deflection.
Outcome: solid feel underfoot and consistent finish quality.
Tile & Large-Format Tile
Tile magnifies imperfections; large-format porcelain and slabs demand stricter flatness to control lippage and hollow spots.
Outcome: flatter tile, cleaner grout lines and better durability.
Commercial Floors
Retail, restaurants and lobbies need reliable prep under heavy traffic and rolling loads. We align scope with project schedules and standards.
Outcome: smoother openings and fewer maintenance issues.
Older Homes & Renovations
Older structures can have uneven joists, patched areas and legacy underlayments. We rebuild the plane before installing the new finish floor.
Outcome: smoother transitions and a premium finished feel.
Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Cost in Vancouver
Every site is different — slab condition, thickness, access and final flooring choice all affect cost. Use these ranges to plan; your written estimate will be 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 isolation / specialty prep | By quote | Crack type, tile format, movement points, standards |
| Commercial / after-hours scheduling | By quote | Timing, site rules, noise windows, protection |
*Planning ranges only. For an exact quote, we’ll measure, check conditions and itemize the scope. Request your free estimate.
Service Areas — Metro Vancouver & Lower Mainland
We provide subfloor leveling and concrete grinding for condos, homes and commercial sites across:
Vancouver & North Shore
Downtown, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, North Vancouver, West Vancouver — condo slab prep and tile-ready surfaces.
Burnaby, Richmond & New Westminster
Grinding, leveling, adhesive removal and prep for vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood and tile.
Surrey, Langley & Tri-Cities
New builds and renovations — wood subfloor flattening, leveling pours and commercial floor prep.
Not listed? If you’re in the Lower Mainland, reach out — we likely service your area.
Subfloor Leveling & Grinding FAQs
How do I know if my subfloor needs leveling?
Signs include visible dips or waves, clicking sounds in floating floors, cracked grout lines, tile lippage, gaps at seams or soft spots. A site assessment confirms what prep is required.
Is leveling required before vinyl plank or laminate installation?
Yes. Most modern floating floors require a surface that meets flatness tolerances; otherwise joints can separate, the floor can click and wear prematurely.
Do you level both wood and concrete subfloors?
Absolutely. We prep concrete slabs (grinding + leveling) and wood subfloors (patching, fastening, flattening and underlayment systems) depending on what your flooring requires.
How long does subfloor leveling take?
Many jobs 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 remove many types of adhesive residues and surface contaminants so your new flooring system bonds and performs properly. We’ll confirm the best method based on what’s on the slab.
Will leveling fix squeaky floors?
Squeaks are usually caused by movement in the subfloor or fasteners. Leveling helps, but the best results come from correcting movement (fastening, patching, underlayment strategy) and then flattening before installing the finished floor.
Get Subfloor Leveling & Concrete Grinding in Vancouver
Before you install vinyl plank, hardwood, laminate or tile, make sure the subfloor is flat, stable and warranty-ready. We’ll assess, recommend the right system and prepare the surface properly.
Serving Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, North Vancouver, West Vancouver & more.
Subfloor Leveling & Grinding Services for Vancouver & Area
Serving Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, the North Shore, and surrounding Lower Mainland communities with precision subfloor leveling and grinding to ensure flat floors for every flooring type.