Gap between beam and dwarf wall

[KillianFrancis]

Trying to lay laminate floor but sub floor is flexing considerably when walking on it. Removed floor boards to find at its biggest point a gap of 1.5cm between the joist and the brick work.

Should the wood sit directly on the brick?

I’m thinking of using off cuts from old floor boards to pack the space out - remove the floor boards and install 3/4 inch plywood. If still slightly not level, will then use self leveling compound before laying the underlay and laminate.

Any advise? Or am I taking the wrong approach.

Thanks all

 

[23vc]

That sleeper wall is likely to support the joists mid span, I’m guessing they’re fairly slim like a 3 or 4x2? Can pack as you say, but I’d also stick the packing in place to avoid (albeit remote) possibility of it working free with the floor flexing.

I wouldn’t put SLC down on this, I’d sort any major issues out at the joist level. You’ll be within a reasonable tolerance if you’re putting laminate down.

 

[ree]

OP,
I presume you mean a floor joist when you say "beam"?
Go under the floor: then you can inspect any other knee wall gaps, and all floor joist tails that are typically seated in pockets in the house walls - you can do this without lifting floor boards. Crawl.
Keep your floor boards if at all possible?
Check the levels across the floor for a level floor.
There mustn't be any movement in the joists/floor esp with laminate going down.

 

[KillianFrancis]

Could you use plywood to pack it out in the gaps?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I wouldn't pack it if the floor is currently humped up in the middle. It may just relax down when the weather changes and/or when people stand on it.

If the wall is too low then go for it though.

You need a long level to work out what's going on.

Could you look while someone stands on top of it?

 

[jj4091]

Could you use plywood to pack it out in the gaps?

Personally I would use pieces of slate or plastic. Any wood packers may well rot in time.