Rot found during a remodel
Discoloration and soft wood under the old flooring are dealt with right away. Building over rot means problems under the new floor.
Serving Lombard & nearby Villa Park, Glen Ellyn
Kitchen Subfloor Repair in Lombard, IL
Soft, rotted or squeaky kitchen subfloors opened up, rebuilt and made solid in Lombard homes.
- Technicians covering Lombard ZIP 60148
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Subfloor problems we fix in Lombard kitchens
A soft spot in front of the dishwasher or sink usually means water has been reaching the wood under the floor for a while. In Lombard we find and stop the leak, cut out the damaged subfloor, check the joists and install new panels that are glued and screwed down.
Soft spot in front of the dishwasher
When the floor gives under your foot at the dishwasher, the plywood has probably absorbed water. The fix is cutting out the soft area back to solid wood.
Uneven or out-of-level floor
A floor that rolls under a straightedge needs flattening before new flooring. We choose between leveling the framing and leveling the surface.
Spongy floor at the sink base
Drips from supply lines or a drain connection run down into the cabinet floor and the subfloor below it. We check both and replace whatever has softened.
Musty smell or stains in the basement ceiling
Signs from below often show up first. We trace them to the source and repair what is wet.
Damage at a seam from a past repair
Earlier patches that weren't supported on joists or blocking tend to sink and crack the floor. We redo them with proper support at every edge.
Squeaks and creaks underfoot
From below in a basement, or from above with the flooring off, we find where the floor moves and stop it.
Cracked tile or separating plank floor
When the floor above keeps breaking, the cause is often underneath. A stiffer, flatter subfloor makes new flooring last.
Where we look first
- Finding and stopping the leakNo new subfloor goes in until the water that ruined the old one is stopped.
- Moving appliances and cabinetsThe dishwasher, fridge or range comes out, and toe kicks or a sink base are removed if the damage runs under them.
- Moisture testingMeter readings across the area tell us where wet wood ends and when it is safe to close the floor.
- Cutting out damaged subfloorSoft and rotted sections are cut back to sound wood, ending on joist centers or new blocking.
- Joist inspection and reinforcementWet, cracked or undersized joists are sistered or blocked; structural work goes through a permit where required.
- New subfloor panelsNew panels set flush with the existing floor and fastened with construction adhesive and screws.
- Ready for flooringWhen we leave, the base is flat, dry and fastened, whoever installs the flooring on top.
Repair options
OSB panelsEngineered strand board, used to match an existing OSB floor.
Construction adhesive and subfloor screwsFastening that grips the joists instead of working loose like nails.
Sister joists and blockingFraming reinforcement that stiffens the floor and backs every seam.
Leveling compound and patchFlattening products for small dips and seams.
Tongue-and-groove plywoodThe usual choice for kitchen subfloors: stiff, holds screws well and tolerates brief wetting better than OSB.
Before and after: kitchens near Lombard
Problem
Fixed
DetailBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Lombard
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Lombard. What we started with: beige sheet vinyl and almond appliances. The main complaint was a spongy floor in front of the dishwasher. After: new plywood subfloor glued and screwed down in front of the dishwasher, ready for flooring. On site this meant cutting out damaged subfloor, new subfloor panels, plus ready for flooring.
Before
AfterA Villa Park two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Villa Park. The kitchen as it was: oak parquet and white appliances. The reason for the call: cupped boards over a wet subfloor. After: new plywood subfloor glued and screwed down in front of the dishwasher, ready for flooring. The job covered finding and stopping the leak, joist inspection and reinforcement, plus new subfloor panels.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair in Villa Park →
Before
AfterKitchen Subfloor Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, Addison
A 1990s two-story colonial in Addison, a typical kitchen for Addison. Before: 12-inch beige ceramic tile and black appliances. The reason for the call: tiles cracking over a floor that flexed. The result: new plywood subfloor glued and screwed down in front of the dishwasher, ready for flooring. On site this meant moisture testing, cutting out damaged subfloor, plus joist inspection and reinforcement.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair in Addison →
Before
AfterA Lombard 1950s ranch: before and after
Finished: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Lombard →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Lombard
What changed: cabinets in dark teal with brushed nickel bar pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lombard →The repair visit
- Inspect the floorWe walk the floor, check it from the basement if possible and measure moisture.
- Stop the waterWe repair the source of moisture first.
- Rebuild the subfloorDamaged wood out, framing reinforced, new panels glued and screwed; small repairs often take a day or two.
- Finish the floorNew flooring goes down over the repair, or we leave it ready for your installer.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair questions from Lombard homeowners
Plywood or OSB for a kitchen subfloor?
In a room with a dishwasher and sink, plywood is the safer choice.
Do cabinets have to come out?
Only if the damage runs under them. We often remove a toe kick or sink base floor instead of the whole cabinet.
Who should I call for subfloor repair?
Call a contractor that does subfloor and framing work, not just flooring. We repair the base and can install the new floor.
Can you replace just a section of subfloor?
Usually, yes. Partial replacement is normal as long as the edges are properly supported.
Can a subfloor be repaired or does it need replacing?
Sound wood is secured; damaged wood is replaced. We show you which is which.
Do Lombard condo associations need to approve kitchen subfloor repair?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Lombard building permit for kitchen subfloor repair: where do I apply?
Permits go through Building Division, Community Development and Building, phone (630) 620-5750. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for kitchen subfloor repair in Lombard?
It depends on the scope. Lombard's rule in short: Village requires a building permit for new structures and updates to existing structures; replacing interior doors and fixtures at the same size with no structural change needs no permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Division, Community Development and Building.
Do you work in my part of Lombard?
Yes. Our crews work across Lombard — ZIP 60148 — and nearby Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, Addison.
Working in Lombard
- A lot of Lombard kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Building Division, Community Development and Building handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60148
Kitchen Subfloor Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Lombard
Hardwood Floor Repair & RefinishingSanding, refinishing and board repairs for kitchen hardwood floors.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.