How to Level a Floor That Bows at the Joints

Curing Error

• 1

  Walk the floor and mark the boards that are improperly bowing. If it is the majority of the boards, you’ll need to remove and relay the floor.

• 2

  Scrape away the excess wood that is above the floor level if there are only a few bowed boards, using a wood shaver, until the board is level with the other boards around it.

• 3

  Sand down the boards that you scraped and apply a new coat of paint.

Loose Boards

• 4

  Walk the floor and mark the boards that are coming loose. The best indication of a loose board is a squeaking sound when the board is walked on.

• 5

  Locate the joists under the loose boards and add extra nails through the boards and joists to nail down the board.

• 6

  Check the boards again; if they are still bowed and squeaking, go under the floor and add shims until contact is made between the boards and the joists, and repeat the process.