According to HGTV host Mike Holmes, forgetting to level the surface before laying down flooring is one of the worst mistakes people make when it comes to floors.

Whether you're installing ceramic tile, vinyl, wood, or even carpet, a level floor improves the quality, durability, and appearance of your finished product.

It’s better to be safe than sorry if you’re unsure about whether your floor is level. Not leveling the floor can lead to easily broken tiles and flooring that just looks cheap.

Holmes recommends applying a primer, followed by a self-leveling underlayment, such as Sika Level-125, to prep the floor before laying down the final flooring.