Removing Stains From Your Flooring
If you have pets or children your floors will get stains at some point. Fresh stains can easily be removed with all-purpose cleaner or gentle soap. There are also some stains that all-purpose cleaners won’t remove. If certain liquids sit long enough on hardwood, the moisture seeps into the wood and causes damage to the wood. When this happens, you may need to remove the stains boards and replace them.
Replacing Hardwood Floorboards
Dealing with damaged flooring is tough. When scrubbing and patching don’t do the job, it’s time to consider replacing the flooring. Here are some important steps to follow.
Assess the Damages
Before you jump right to replacing the boards, stand back and assess the damages. There are scratches that you can sand down to avoid ripping up boards. However, if you have dents or gouges in the flooring, it’s time to replace them.
After you determine the boards that need a replacement, move on to measuring them. Lift up the boards using a chisel knife and measure their width and length. Make sure you wear safety glasses and knee pads for protection as you’re pulling up boards.
Remove The Old Boards
The next step is to create a new seam for the new boards. You can do this by:
Using your chisel to create a clean edge along the board
Using a circular saw, cut each damaged plank in half lengthwise
Your chisel should lift up the remaining half
Follow this method for the other damaged planks. Be careful not to damage the nearby planks.
Prepare The New Planks
Once you have your new boards, gently lay them over the open area. This will help you get an idea of how many you really need. It’s a great idea to buy a few more than you need in case you make a mistake. You’ll need to stagger the boards’ end seams. Staggering the end seams adds to the strength of the floor.
Measure the boards one at a time. Use a chop saw or similar tool to make the proper cuts for the grooves. Inserting the plank is easier if you cut the plank in half.
Installing the Planks
After you’ve measured and cuts, it’s time to install your new boards.
Find the location of the tongue and groove openings.
Use a small mallet to tap the boards into place as you slide them in.
Use a nail gun to secure the boards in place.
Working at a 45-degree angle, place 3 nails into the tongue. Do this for each new plank that you inserted. You can also use carpenter’s’ glue if you don’t want to nail the boards into place.
If you’re using glue, cover the board with wax paper and place heavy weights on top overnight to dry. If you’re using nails, then continue nailing the boards in place. When you’re done, use putty to fill in any holes and carefully sand down the board.
Be careful not to over sand the boards to avoid removing the finish.
Apply Finishing Touches
If your new boards aren’t the same color as the rest of the floor, you can choose a stain color to match. Apply enough stain to match the rest of the floor. Let it dry overnight and finish it with a couple of varnish coats.
Do you need hardwood flooring repairs? Repairing hardwood floors doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Contact Flortec Hardwood today and let us know how we can help you.