- Always check for raised nails or splinters—quick tap with a hammer does the trick.
- I’ve tried sanding too, but honestly, it’s more hassle than help. Dust everywhere, and not much time saved.
- If the deck’s even a little damp, we wait it out. Learned the hard way—rushing leads to bubbles under the underlayment later.
- In humid weather, I’ll sometimes use a big box fan overnight. Not perfect, but helps a bit without making a mess.
- Waiting for the deck to dry out is underrated—seen too many folks rush and regret it later.
- I’m with you on sanding... unless there’s a really rough patch, it just makes a mess and doesn’t add much.
- The fan trick is clever. I’ve tried dehumidifiers too, but they’re a pain to haul around.
- Honestly, your process sounds solid. Sometimes simple checks and patience beat fancy tools or shortcuts.
I get where you’re coming from on sanding, but I’ve gotta push back a bit. I’ve seen more than a few decks where skipping a thorough sanding led to issues down the line—especially with older plywood or if there’s any glue residue from previous layers. Even if it feels like overkill, a quick pass with a pole sander can make a big difference in how well the underlayment bonds. Sure, it’s messy, but so is dealing with bubbles or loose spots later.
On the drying front, totally agree—patience pays off. But I’ve had luck with dehumidifiers in tight crawlspaces where fans just don’t cut it. Yeah, they’re heavy and awkward, but sometimes it’s the only way to get moisture down to safe levels before moving forward.
I guess my take is: shortcuts are tempting, but sometimes that extra step (even if it’s annoying) saves headaches later. Maybe I’m just paranoid after seeing too many callbacks...
I hear you on the sanding—I've skipped it once or twice thinking the subfloor looked fine, but sure enough, I ended up with a couple of spots that just wouldn’t stay down. Out of curiosity, do you ever use a moisture meter before laying underlayment, or just go by feel? I’ve had mixed results trusting my gut, especially in humid weather.
Out of curiosity, do you ever use a moisture meter before laying underlayment, or just go by feel? I’ve had mixed results trusting my gut, especially in humid weather.
I’ve been burned too many times just “going by feel.” Maybe it’s just the climate here (mid-Atlantic, super muggy summers), but I started using a cheapo moisture meter a couple years ago and honestly, it’s saved me more than once. The first time, I thought the subfloor was good to go—felt dry to the touch, no visible issues—but the meter was reading way higher than I expected. Turns out the AC had been off for a week and humidity just soaked in. If I’d laid the underlayment then, I’m sure it would’ve bubbled or worse.
I get that some folks swear by old-school methods, but I don’t trust my senses for this stuff anymore. For me, if the meter says it’s over 12% or so, I wait it out or run a dehumidifier for a day or two. It’s not perfect science but better than redoing work.
Curious—what kind of underlayment are you using? I’ve noticed some of the newer synthetic ones are supposed to be more forgiving with minor moisture, but I’m still hesitant. Also, do you check for squeaks and loose nails before you start? That’s another thing I used to skip and always regretted later when there’s that one spot that creaks every time someone walks over it...
Anyone here ever have luck with those self-leveling compounds on a not-quite-flat deck? I keep debating if it’s worth the mess or just more trouble than it’s worth.