DIY Flooring Installation: Here’s Why We Don’t Recommend It

The pitfalls of a DIY flooring installation are plenty, which is why we recommend professional services designed to offer exceptional results. At Top Carpets and Floors, we understand the appeal of DIY projects and at-home installations – they seem cheaper, faster and easier. Unfortunately, throughout our decades of experience, we have been called in to rectify countless do-it-yourself flops that end up costing the customer even more money. If you have been convinced that DIY installations are a breeze, here are a few reasons you may want to rethink tackling such a massive task alone.

Why a DIY Flooring Installation Looks Easy

During the global pandemic, people were stuck at home with nothing to do and with the local economy taking a beating, homeowners were seeking ways to save money. During this period, do-it-yourself crafts and projects took off, and the trend became a lasting hobby for some. While building your own shelves or handcrafting décor allows some room for mistakes, larger projects that involve the infrastructure of your property are significantly more difficult. Floating floors, in particular, such as laminates and luxury vinyl tiles that simply fit and click into place look deceptively easier to install than other kinds of flooring. The problem is that the process entails so much more than merely laying down planks in neat rows.

The Internet Is Not Always the Best Teacher

If you have watched several video tutorials and researched how to undertake a DIY flooring installation, there is still no guarantee it will work out well. First, a few articles and videos are no substitute for the years of experience and training that professional installers have under their belt. Second, those who often create helpful tutorials that make the process look easy have tons of experience themselves. Last, not all properties are the same. Your floors, and subfloors specifically, will have very different preparation needs than anyone else’s.

You Probably Don’t Have All the Right Tools

Having all the right tools to get the job done makes the job easier and more efficient. Unfortunately, many of the tools that professional installers use are inaccessible, expensive and not so easy to use without experience. Some essential flooring tools used include table saws, notched trowels, pneumatic nail guns and angle grinders. While these can be found at your local hardware store, they will cost you a pretty penny.

Subfloor Preparation is Not as Simple as it Seems

The subfloor is the foundation beneath one’s floors. If this substrate layer has a high moisture level, is uneven or if mould is growing, you are in for a tough time. Before a new floor can be laid, the subfloor must be completely flat, smooth and clean. Failure to adequately prepare the subfloor will result in problems with your installation down the road.

A DIY Flooring Installation Takes Much Longer

Professional installers have the know-how, the equipment and the manpower to handle the task swiftly. While it may not be pleasant to hear banging, grinding, and drilling for a few days, it is even more of a hassle to do it all yourself. Then there is the issue of cleaning up the mess afterwards, which professional installers usually handle for you.

Small Mistakes Now – Big Issues Later

There are many mistakes one can make with a DIY flooring installation. Failure to allow for accurate expansion gaps, using the wrong underlay and even ignoring issues in the subfloor are all recipes for disaster. These problems might not even be obvious at first, but once your floors start to peak, bubble, warp or move about, you will need to call on professional help.

Irreparable Damage to Your Home

Not only is there no way to guarantee the outcome of your DIY flooring installation, but you might also end up damaging the rest of your home. Behind walls and beneath one’s floors are a labyrinth of hidden pipes, electrical wiring, insulation and structural support. Without an understanding of these factors, you may be putting your home’s infrastructure at risk when re-flooring a room.

You Might Void the Product’s Warranty

If you have found the perfect floors and want to enjoy that 15-year warranty, using professionals is always the wisest. Manufacturers are well-aware that do-it-yourself fanatics enjoy taking on such tasks, which is why their products often come with very specific warranties that can be voided if certain installation procedures are not followed, as this will ultimately impact the performance and appearance of the product.

Our Superb Installation Guarantees

With all this in mind, it’s easy to see why professional installations can actually save you a ton of money. We at Top Carpets and Floors offer exceptional services that respect you, your property and the product you want installed. Our installation guarantees will give you the peace of mind that your dream floors will turn out the way the manufacturer intended, and you had envisioned.

Our professional recommendation? Spare yourself the hassle, time, money and back pain by contacting us today. We will assist you with beautiful products from a wide range of designs and solutions to suit your budget. If you would still like to explore a DIY flooring installation as an option, however, we can assist you with a handy, eight-step guide.