Hardwood Floor Repair Basics

Hardwood Floor Repair Basics

Hardwood floors are made from individual boards that are nailed or stapled to a plywood or wood foundation. Nails and glue to keep them from growing apart. Most hardwood floor repair consists of replacing worn out or damaged floorboards. Replacing damaged or old floorboards usually involves cutting out the joists (the topmost layer) and nailing or stapling new ones to the joist. The most common way to cut a board is to use a miter saw, although some hardwood floor professionals also use a hand saw for small openings or crevices.

You can find hardwood floorboards in a variety of local hardware stores, lumberyard, or floorboard-covering shop. The most common method for cutting a board is to use a miter saw. Since rough tongue-and-groove boards are permanently glued in place, total removal usually involves cutting through the center of every damaged board. The best way to effectively remove a damaged board is to bore a few holes in the surface and then use a penetrating solvent such as epoxy or polyurethane to penetrate the wood. Make sure to wear protective gloves, goggles, and an old worn out pair of steel-toed boots to make sure your hands don’t get any of the harmful chemicals used in the removal process.

Many hardwood floor installation professionals also use buckling machines to help install damaged boards. A buckling machine is a piece of equipment that runs with a spring attached that loads the board into a vertical position, compressing the board until it is partially closed. This prevents the board from expanding back out over time because the buckling pressure is constant. Some buckling machines have the board pre-loaded before insertion into the floor. Make sure you use the appropriate type of machine for the application you’re working on.

While using buckling equipment on a damaged hardwood floor can prevent future damage, it shouldn’t be relied upon alone. In addition to removing the damaged part of the floor, you should also make sure there’s no moisture build-up underneath. Even small amounts of water can cause damage over time if left in a room. This is because the moisture causes the wood to expand, creating stresses in the subflooring underneath. If the subflooring already has signs of moisture build-up, you should contact a hardwood floor installation professional right away.

There are several more common hardwood floor repairs, including refinishing. Refinishing is done by removing older layers of finish and sanding the room to generate a smooth, uniform surface. This sanding and refinishing process are sometimes combined. It’s usually best to do refinishing by itself if the room is large, as that will allow for more intricate and detailed sanding.

Other common hardwood floor repairs include repairing cracked or chipped planks. Cracked or chipped planks are often removed and replaced with new planks that are of the same size and color. These planks are then put through an acid wash to remove any previous stains and oils. While this process is effective, some homeowners choose to reface the boards instead. This option involves repainting the board with a different stain and coating. Though it may take longer than refinishing, homeowners find that refacing gives their rooms a more uniform look and is easier on the carpet. If you need flooring expert in Colorado just visit www.denverflooringcompany.com