Repairing a Hardwood Floor

Old houses have old floors – and old floors often have serious problems.

Whether its rotted boards beneath a leaky radiator or missing boards beneath a wall you have removed, patching in new wood to make it blend with the old can be done – but there is a right and a wrong way to do it.

Here are a few simple steps for you to follow to do it the right way:

Step #1 – Using a piece of chalk or masking tape, mark the boards that need to be removed.

Step #2 – Stagger your new joints. Never have two adjoining boards end within 4” of each other. This may mean that you remove portions of boards that are not damaged. (See the top photo for non-staggered joints in the repaired area.)

Step #3 – On paper, draw a diagram of the replacement boards you will need with precise measurements for each one.

Step #4 – Go to an architectural salvage firm and select old boards of the same width, thickness and species and, if possible, of the same grain pattern and finish. Buy extra boards.

Step #5 – Lay the loose replacement boards on top of the damaged area to determine the best layout. Carefully set them aside in proper order.

Step #6 – Using a circular saw, prybar, chisel and hammer, remove the marked boards in your floor. Start by cutting each board lengthwise down the middle, then use the prybar, chisel and hammer to remove them. Watch out for hidden nails. Wear safety glasses. Vacuum out chips of wood.

Step #7 – Cut each replacement board to fit the cleaned out space. You may have to trim off the tongue or the bottom of the grooved edge to get some of the boards to fit.

Step #8 – When possible, nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue into the subfloor. When that is not possible, you will have to face-nail the board. Pre-drill all holes, then countersink the nail head with a punch and disguise with wood filler.

The top photograph shows a maple floor that was improperly patched. Move your cursor over it for a close-up view. Note how the workman made no attempt to stagger the joints. Note, too, the scar left in the lower corner by the careless use of a circular saw to remove the damaged boards.

The lower photograph shows an oak floor that has been properly patched. Note the use of wood filler over the nail heads.

Good Luck!

- Bruce Johnson