Expert: Eric Barnett - 11/12/2007

Question
I am about to install laminate flooring over my kitchen, dinning room and living room. The kitchen/dinningroom are white ceramic tile (very shinney) and the living room was carpet. I have removed the carpet and glued down 3/8 plywood to try and make the entire room level. However, after filling the cracks with filler I fear the floor is not as level as it should be. Will the self leveling compound solve this problem? The room is really one large room aprox 12' x 24'

Answer
Louis,
The padding that you put down before the laminate is installed should take care of most of the unevenness.  If you have less than 1/2" of slope over 8', the laminate will be fine.  It is a floating floor so the subfloor does not have to be perfectly level.  If you have more than 1/2" over 8', then you probably should use a self leveling compound.  Good luck!!