Can I just add a new subfloor over my rotten, uneven one before laying wood flooring to replace old carpet?

Question

Can I just add a new subfloor over my rotten, uneven one before laying wood flooring to replace old carpet?

Answer 1

You can, but you definintely should NOT!

Answer 2

As much as I prefer the quick way out, I wouldn't do that. Anything rotting under anything new isn't going to be good for the new.

Answer 3

I would say no, huge no.  If your floor is rotting and uneven now, it will continue to rot and be unstable as time goes by, potentially cause movement in your floor and ruin your new hardwoods.  Not today, not tomorrow but down the road.  Do the work and rip out the old floor and do it right, have some pride in your work.  If you have to ask then you know that it should come out.  The money you spend to pull off the old underlayment will be a lot less than the money you waste having to have the floor fixed.  Don't for get to s***w and glue down the floor for no squeakage.

Answer 4

when the sub-floor rots all the way through, there will be nothing supporting your new sub-floor. plus the moisture and rot of the old floor will reduce the life of the new floor.

Tear out the rotten parts first then put in new sub floor

Answer 5

Rip out the rotten one, it is safer.  You are better off fixing it right rather than doing it over.