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How to repair your Hardwood Flooring Yourself
Everyone wants their hardwood floors to look as good as the day they were installed. However, accidents do happen. If the repairs you need to make are minor, and if you are a capable do-it-yourselfer, then you can save money and do the repairs yourself. For planks or strips that are too damaged to be repaired by sanding and filling, you can replace that particular strip or plank. Many flooring systems use a tongue-and-groove design, which makes replacing them possible. However, the task will be a challenge. Locate all nails in the damaged board, then using a nail set and hammer, drive the nails through the board.
Drill holes along the damaged board using 1/2- or 3/8-inch-diameter spade bit and power drill.
Next, carefully split the damaged board by using a wood chisel to make removal easier.
Carefully pry out the damaged board. If you have several damaged boards, remove these in the same way. However, cut them so the end joints are staggered.
Use a nail puller and remove any exposed nails or use a nail set and drive them out of the way.
Measure and cut the replacement strip or strips the same length as the ones youve removed. If needed, cut off the bottom side of the groove on the board. This will enable you to install the board between two others. First, insert the tongue side then lower the groove side into place. If the board does not fit, then recut the board.
If the board fits, then remove the replacement strip and apply construction adhesive to the backside of the strip, then reinstall the strip again and using a scrap piece of wood, carefully tap it into place.
Nail the board in place and using a nail set, drive the heads just below the surface. If you have to finish the new board, then matching the finish of the boards youve replaced with your existing flooring may be difficult. If your hardwood boards have buckled, due to moisture, then you must repair them quickly to avoid further damage to your flooring. To repair a buckled floorboard without removing it, you need to be able to access the floor from below, if you cannot, then you will need to replace the board. Place weight on the buckled board. Cinder or cement blocks work very well.
Beneath the buckled board, screw in a 1-1/4 screw into the buckled flooring. You want the screw to penetrate into the floor only halfway to prevent it from coming up through the surface. Driving the screw up through the subfloor and into the warp flooring will pull the warp flooring down removing the buckled area. Stains can be the toughest things to repair with many times the only way to repair the stain is by refinishing the entire floor. Before you make plans to completely refinish your entire floor for a stain the size of a dime, try to remove the stain first. The following steps can help you to remove a stain: Always wear protective eye protection, and acid-resistant rubber protective gloves.
Carefully sand off the old finish.
Following the directions on the package mix oxalic acid crystals in water.
Use a clean white cloth to prevent transferring any dye from the cloth to your floor, soak the white cloth in the oxalic acid solution, then press the cloth to the stain and allow it to sit for approximately 1 hour.
Check the area and see if the stain has been bleached away. If it has not, then repeat the process. It may be necessary to repeat the process several times, but the stain will eventually be bleached away.
Once you have removed the stain, it is important to neutralize the acid area with household vinegar, ensuring that you completely dry the area.
Lightly apply a matching oil-based stain to the bleached area. It may be necessary to apply several coats to match the floor. Do not apply the stain heavy to attempt to match your floor in one coat. If you get the stain too dark, immediately wipe the area with a damp cloth and mineral spirits. Once you achieve the desired color, allow the area to dry overnight.
Once the stain has dried, apply the finishing topcoat and blend into the adjacent areas. You will not achieve a Perfect match; however, it should close enough so that it is not noticeable. If, however you dont like it or if the match doesnt suit you, then refinish the floor. Tiny scratches can usually be cover with color putty sticks. However, many people feel that this is not repairing the problem, and yes, it is. However, color putty sticks are the easiest way to repair scratches. You want to first clean the mar, or scratched area then rub the putty stick over the damaged spot, working the color into the scratch. Allow the color to dry before wiping it with a clean cloth. Many times to repair a simple nick or scratch require getting color into these areas to hide the imperfection. However, if the nick or scratch is actually a dig or gouge, then you may have to completely replace the entire board as using wood filler and stain may be too noticeable. If your flooring is worn or if there are numerous areas that need repairing, then you may want to refinish your entire floor instead of spending time on each and every blemish.
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