Hardwood Floor
Hardwood flooring is a highly durable and long lasting floor finish used in homes and commercial buildings. Over time this material may suffer damage due to impacts from dropped objects, improper installation, or from simple wear and tear. Whether you need to fix a simple crack or replace several rows of wood, it is possible to repair these floors as a simple DIY project. Does this Spark an idea?
Basic Repairs
Most hardwood flooring problems can be fixed using simple tools and techniques. Start by tightening up the fasteners in the floor. Hammer loose nails into place and remove stray nails or staples. Add extra nails or screws to loose or creaky boards.
Use a latex wood caulk to fill small cracks or voids. Simply place the tip of the caulk applicator into the crack and fill the space completely. Wipe away any excess material quickly as it can be difficult to remove once it dries. For larger voids or holes, look for a wood putty material that matches your existing floor finish. Apply the filler with a putty knife; then wipe away excess material.
Remove Damaged Planks
For floor boards that are damaged beyond repair, you can remove and replace the entire board. This can also help when sections of the floor are stained or soiled. To start, use a circular saw to cut lengthwise down the center of each damaged board. Use a chisel and hammer to pry the wood out of the opening.
If you don't have extra flooring material stored in your home, you have several options for finding replacement boards. You can take the wood you removed to a local home improvement store and try to match it to stock material. Another option is to visit a wood flooring distributor and try to order matching wood flooring. For very old wood floors you may have to visit a salvage yard to find wood that's similar in quality and texture.
Install Replacement Boards
Once you have your new material, use a circular saw to cut it to the desired length. Sand the bottom of each edge of the board to give it a slight bevel. This will help it fit better against the existing planks. Place each board into the appropriate opening and use flooring nails to nail it in place. Add a bit of wood putty to cover the nail heads.
If your new planks don't match your floor exactly, you can try applying a stain or finish to these boards. For very large repair jobs it often makes more sense to refinish the entire floor. If you have experience with orbital sanders, you can rent one from a home improvement store. If not, use a hand or belt sander for best results. Sand the entire floor to remove existing finishes; then apply stains and seals as desired. This will not only give you an even and consistent finish, but can help brighten and rejuvenate worn hardwood floors.
Tags: away excess, away excess material, entire floor, excess material, floor finish
