Good hardwood floor repair requires time, patience, and the right equipment. Here are some tips that will help you complete your repair project successfully, safely, and on schedule.
Cut with Care
The initial step when restoring hardwood floor is to remove the damaged board. Sadly, it’s also one of the most challenging. Cutting the damaged boards incorrectly increases the chance of splitting or destroying the next boards, which may be a time-consuming and expensive error.
Make two cuts with a circular saw, one about half an inch from each edge of the board, being careful not to cut past the end joints. Even though different boards need different depths of saw, many people use a standard 3/4.
Remember to avoid cutting through the side match when you make a third cut at an angle in between the initial two cuts. To remove the cut pieces, use a sharp chisel, being cautious not to force any incompletely cut pieces out, as this might split the adjacent boards.
Do the Cleaning
Clear the area of dirt and debris after the component has been removed. The new board will be more challenging to reinstall if there is any debris around, and once the board is in place, it may become a trip hazard.
Strike a Match
Selecting a new board with a grain pattern that is comparable to the adjacent boards is the best approach to guarantee a uniform appearance. Use a board that was left over during the installation procedure if you can. If that isn’t an option, get in touch with the contractor who did your installation and ask if they have any more boards that will match your floor.
Be Quick
Epoxy, the adhesive used to affix replacement floorboards, dries really rapidly. Some epoxies include a ten-minute drying time limit. As a result, you have a very small window of time to correctly install the replacement board. This should not be an issue if your measurements and cuttings are accurate.
Sand and Finish
You may sand and finish the area once the epoxy has dried and the board has been secured. However, don’t go overboard; merely sand the board until it is level with the other boards. If possible, utilise the same type of finish that was applied during the initial installation process to avoid a noticeable fading. Make contact with the installation business that performed the process if you are unsure of the precise finish that was applied.
A skilled do-it-yourselfer can restore site-finish hardwood floors if they have the necessary equipment and knowledge. Call a professional if you have any concerns about the repair procedure or if you feel uneasy using any of the necessary instruments.
