Alright folks, today I wanna talk about my wooden floor and the headache I had fixing it. Yeah, that kinda stuff. See, I had this part of my old wood floor sinking down like it was tired or something. Really bugged me every time I walked past. So, I figured I gotta lift it back up somehow

Starting Out & Finding the Pad Volleyball Idea

First thing I did? Searched around online, you know how it is. Saw all sorts of complicated fixes involving jacks and big machines. Way too much hassle for my clumsy self. Then, saw some dude talking about using volleyball pads. Yeah, those things players kneel on? Thought, “That’s crazy… or is it?” Sounded cheaper and easier than renting heavy gear, so I grabbed my wallet and headed to the store.

Why Volleyball Pads? Seriously?

• They’re Squishy But Strong: Needed something that could squish down to fill gaps under the floor but wouldn’t just flatten out forever. That foam inside is perfect.
• Easy to Cut Up: Grabbed my utility knife and chopped a pad into smaller bits like I was slicing cheese. No special tools, no drama.
• Stays Put: That textured surface? Sticks pretty good to the wood and the subfloor, nothing sliding around. Didn’t need glue or tape mess.
• Costs Pennies: Compared to buying fancy shims or hydraulic kits, one volleyball pad cost barely anything. Felt like a win already.

Doing the Actual Fix

Alright, time to get my hands dirty. Shoved a pry bar under the saggy plank, lifted it up just enough to see darkness underneath. Kinda scary, hoping it wouldn’t snap. Took those pad chunks I cut and started stuffing them into the gap. Like filling a taco, really. Just pushed them in with my fingers. Started near the edges and worked towards the middle, trying to get even coverage. Took a few tries – pulled some bits out and added more when the plank wasn’t level. Tapped it down gently after shoving each chunk under. Patience game, people.

The Moment of Truth

After maybe twenty minutes of careful stuffing and tapping? Released the pry bar slowly… held my breath. That plank settled down… perfectly level! No more sinking feeling. Walked on it a few times. Solid! No creaks, no dips. This damn thing flipped like a pancake? Just… worked.

Why I’m Totally Sold Now

Look, I ain’t saying it’s rocket science, but this volleyball pad trick? It solves the exact problem for lifting wood floors. It’s squishy enough to mold into the uneven space under there, strong enough to hold the weight forever, easy to handle, and costs next to nothing. No need to over-engineer this stuff. I tried it ’cause it sounded silly, but man, the results are dead serious. My floor is fixed, my wallet is happy, and I got a cool story. That’s the kinda practical win I love sharing.