Wood Floor Repair Made Simple
Hardwood floors can really brighten up a room, and when installed correctly are eye catching and beautiful. With the vast amount of stains and types of wood available, hardwood floors can match any décor.
But if your wood floors are blemished you will need to learn how to repair wood floors. Luckily most repairs can be done easily even by beginner Do-It-Yourselfers.
Knowing how to repair wood floor that is cracked or split can save you a lot of money. If there are very small cracks or splits in the wood, you can use angled nails to tack the boards back together.
Then use some wood putty to hide the small damages. If there are large or very noticeable cracks, you will need to remove the boards and install new ones.
Before removing the board however, make sure that you have replacement boards that are the same brand, same stain, same size and length as the ones you are replacing. To remove the old boards use a circular saw to split the board down the center.
Make sure that the cut is only deep enough to cute the floor board and does not damage the subfloor. Once the board is cut, use a crowbar or screwdriver to pry the board away from the remaining wood flooring. Be careful not to damage the surrounding boards.
After it has been removed, clean all the debris away from the area and inspect the wood floor and subfloor for any damage caused by moisture, insects, or any other issues.
The next step in wood floor repair is to replace the old board with a new one. Ensure that the new piece of wood you are using is cut to the exact size you need. If you have tongue and groove boards, this part can be a little tricky.
You will have to loosen the old flooring and slightly lift it off the subfloor. The new board must be fitted into the grooves, much like a puzzle piece. Once everything is matched up the wood floor needs to be replaced back down onto the subfloor.
To secure the new boards, nail or screw them to the subfloor. Make sure you drill a pilot hole that is slightly smaller than the screw so that you do not split or crack the new board.
To finish your wood floor repair, cover up the screw holes. Use filler that matches the stain finish so that the repairs are unnoticed to the naked eye. Just a few simple steps will have your wood floor looking new again.
