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Replace Floors That Creak, Stain, or Buckle
Flooring Services in Birmingham, Alabama
When floors in your Birmingham home feel uneven underfoot, show water stains near doorways, or creak loudly enough to wake people upstairs, replacing them involves removing the old material, addressing subfloor issues, and installing a surface that stays flat and quiet through years of use. You might need tile that withstands wet shoes in the entryway, hardwood that matches the existing floor in adjacent rooms, or luxury vinyl that looks like wood but handles humidity without cupping. South's Finest Roofing removes old flooring, repairs or replaces damaged subfloor, and installs new material according to manufacturer specifications.
Flooring installation in Birmingham starts with pulling up baseboards and removing the existing floor down to the subfloor. We inspect joists for rot or sagging, sister in new framing where needed, and install underlayment that is screwed down at intervals that prevent movement. Depending on the material, we acclimate planks or tiles to the indoor humidity for at least 48 hours before installation begins.
If you are planning to replace flooring in Birmingham and want to understand which materials suit your space, reach out to South's Finest Roofing to discuss options and schedule an estimate.
Why Subfloor Condition Matters More Than the Finish
After removing the old floor, we check the subfloor for soft spots, squeaks, and unevenness using a straightedge and chalk line. In Birmingham, we screw down loose panels, fill low spots with leveling compound, and replace sections that have swollen from water exposure. Skipping this step causes new flooring to crack, shift, or develop gaps within months.
Once the subfloor is solid and level, you will see flooring that lies flat without dips or humps, seams that align tightly, and transitions between rooms that sit flush rather than creating a trip hazard. Hardwood planks run parallel to the longest wall, tile joints stay consistent in width, and vinyl planks lock together without gaps at the ends.
We install baseboards that cover the expansion gap around the perimeter, use quarter-round to hide irregularities where walls meet floors, and caulk transitions to finished areas such as tile or carpet. If you are installing hardwood, we leave a gap at walls and doorways to allow for seasonal expansion, then cover it with trim. The work does not include furniture moving, appliance disconnection, or disposal of old flooring unless included in the estimate. If your subfloor requires extensive repairs, that adds time and cost to the project.
Homeowners Ask These Before Starting
Flooring projects prompt questions about material durability, installation methods, and what preparation is required before work begins. These answers address the most common concerns.
- How long does new flooring take to install? A single room typically takes one to two days depending on the material and subfloor condition, while whole-floor projects can take a week or more. Acclimation time, subfloor repairs, and drying periods for adhesives all affect the schedule.
- What causes hardwood floors to buckle after installation? Buckling happens when planks are installed without expansion gaps, when the subfloor is too wet, or when planks absorb moisture from high indoor humidity. Proper acclimation and spacing prevent this issue.
- Why do some tiles crack shortly after installation? Tiles crack when the subfloor flexes, when thinset is applied unevenly leaving voids beneath the tile, or when heavy objects are dropped during the curing period. A stiff, level subfloor and full thinset coverage prevent most cracks.
- What is the difference between floating and glued flooring? Floating floors lock together and rest on underlayment without adhesive, allowing them to expand and contract as a single unit. Glued floors are bonded directly to the subfloor, which provides a more solid feel but makes removal difficult.
- When should I replace the subfloor instead of just covering it? Replace the subfloor if it feels spongy, shows visible water damage, or has large gaps between panels. Installing new flooring over compromised subfloor leads to premature failure and wasted materials.
