Rot found during a remodel
Pulling up old vinyl often uncovers dark, crumbling plywood. We cut it out to sound wood, treat the cause and install new panels before the new floor goes down.
Serving 49 Chicago-area suburbs
Kitchen Subfloor Repair in Chicago & the Suburbs
Soft, rotted or squeaky kitchen subfloors opened up, rebuilt and made solid in Chicagoland homes.
- Repairs across the Chicago suburbs, from Naperville to Evanston
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Subfloor problems we fix in Chicagoland 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 Chicagoland we find and stop the leak, cut out the damaged subfloor, check the joists and install new panels that are glued and screwed down.
Floor too thin for tile
Planning porcelain on a floor built for sheet vinyl? We check the thickness and stiffness and build it up as needed.
Damage at a seam from a past repair
A patch that dips at its edge was likely cut between joists without blocking. We open it and support it correctly.
Uneven or out-of-level floor
Humps and dips are corrected with planing, shims on the joists or a leveling compound, depending on how far out the floor is.
Bouncy or sagging floor
Bounce in the middle of the kitchen often comes from the framing, not the plywood. Sistering or adding blocking stiffens it.
Musty smell or stains in the basement ceiling
A damp smell near the kitchen floor or stains seen from the basement are worth investigating before the floor softens.
Squeaks and creaks underfoot
Noisy floors are usually loose, not broken. Re-securing the panels to the framing quiets them.
Leak from the refrigerator water line
When the floor behind the refrigerator is dark or soft, the water line is the first suspect. We fix both.
What the repair visit covers
- Moving appliances and cabinetsWe clear access to the damaged area, including under cabinets when needed.
- Removing the finish floorWe remove flooring only as far as the repair needs.
- Moisture testingA moisture meter shows how far the wet wood extends and whether the framing is dry enough to close.
- Cutting out damaged subfloorSoft and rotted sections are cut back to sound wood, ending on joist centers or new blocking.
- New subfloor panelsNew panels set flush with the existing floor and fastened with construction adhesive and screws.
- Leveling and flatteningSeams are sanded flush and low spots filled so the finish floor has a flat base.
- Ready for flooringThe repaired area is left ready for tile, plank or wood, and appliances go back when the floor is finished.
Parts we replace
OSB panelsCommon in newer construction and fine when kept dry, but its edges swell if it gets wet.
Underlayment layerAn extra plywood or backer layer that stiffens the floor for tile or smooths it for vinyl.
Tongue-and-groove plywoodThe usual choice for kitchen subfloors: stiff, holds screws well and tolerates brief wetting better than OSB.
Sister joists and blockingNew lumber fastened alongside damaged or weak joists, plus blocking that supports panel edges.
Leveling compound and patchCement-based leveler or patch to fill low spots before the finish floor.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair across Chicagoland
The same job looks different in a 1920s bungalow, a 1970s split-level and a new subdivision. Here is what we plan for in different parts of the region.
Recent repairs around Chicagoland
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Bloomingdale
A 1980s two-story in Bloomingdale, a typical kitchen for Bloomingdale. Before: 12-inch beige ceramic tile and black appliances. The reason for the call: tiles cracking over a floor that flexed. After: new plywood subfloor glued and screwed down in front of the dishwasher, ready for flooring. Work included cutting out damaged subfloor, leveling and flattening, plus ready for flooring.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair in Bloomingdale →
Before
AfterVilla Park kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen subfloor repair
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Villa Park. What we started with: oak parquet and white appliances. The main complaint was a bouncy floor near the dishwasher. The result: new plywood subfloor glued and screwed down in front of the dishwasher, ready for flooring. The job covered removing the finish floor, cutting out damaged subfloor, plus leveling and flattening.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair in Villa Park →
Before
AfterAn Orland Park 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Orland Park. What we started with: beige sheet vinyl and almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: a soft spot that had opened under the vinyl. The result: new plywood subfloor glued and screwed down in front of the dishwasher, ready for flooring. Work included removing the finish floor, moisture testing, plus cutting out damaged subfloor.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair in Orland Park →How the repair goes
- Inspect the floorA visit to find the soft area, its cause and how far the damage goes.
- 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.
Repair questions
Can you fix squeaks without tearing up the floor?
Sometimes. Access from below makes it possible; from above, special screws through carpet or wood can help in some cases.
What affects the cost of subfloor repair?
The size of the repair, framing work and the floor on top drive the price. You get a line-item estimate once we've opened or inspected the floor.
Can you replace just a section of subfloor?
Yes. We cut out the damaged area back to sound wood, support every edge on a joist or blocking and fit a new panel flush with the rest.
How long does subfloor repair take?
A dishwasher-area patch is often done in a day; larger repairs with joist work or drying time take longer.
Why is the floor soft by my dishwasher?
A slow dishwasher leak is the most common cause. We pull the unit, find the drip and replace the damaged subfloor.
Which towns do you serve?
Chicago and 49 suburbs, from Naperville and Aurora to Evanston, Schaumburg and Orland Park. Pick your town below for local details and ZIP codes.
Kitchen Subfloor Repair near you
Pick your town for local details, ZIP codes and nearby projects.
