How to Patch Wood Floors

Patching wood floors damaged with nail holes, gouges or narrow pieces of missing wood remains a good option over replacing floorboards. Stores carrying paint also have fillers matching natural wood colors making the product readily available and easy to use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood filler
• Turpentine
• Acetone
• Vacuum cleaner
• Putty knife
• Cloth
• Sand paper

1. Choose between water or oil based wood filler, patch or putty in can or tube. Oil or solvent-based fillers require turpentine or acetone for cleanup.

2. Match the color of the wood patch to the floor.

3. Clean out debris from the patching area. Use a small vacuum cleaner if needed.

4. Apply the compound with a putty knife moving with the direction of the damaged area. Deep holes need layering with thin amounts and leaving the filler slightly raised ensures leveling when sanding; read the directions for your particular brand.

5. Wipe away excess patch from the surrounding wood floor area. Use a damp cloth for water based filler, putty knife for oil based.

6. Take a damp cloth to clean the putty knife and wait for the patch to dry, typically 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on filler type and depth of repair.

7. Sand the patched area with the grain as needed with a fine grade of sandpaper. See the label for product recommendations.

Tips & Warnings

• Water based fillers clean easily with water.
• Use wood filler prior to staining.
• Test the filler and patching process, including stain, with a similar piece of scrap wood or an inconspicuous area. This allows seeing the results before you begin the main job.
• Consider an oil based patch for outside wood decks where freezing occurs.
• Epoxy wood putty works well on old wood that you intend to paint and not stain.