How to Spot Repair Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are a popular design feature for homeowners and can be expected to last many years. With regular use, your wood floors will require maintenance and repairs to keep them in good condition. Instead of hiring a contractor, you can spot repair hardwood floors on your own. Not only will you save the expense of replacing the floors, but you will save the costs of hiring a professional to take care of repairs for you.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Flooring nails
• Wood putty
• Putty knife
• Circular saw
• New wood planks
• Sand paper
• Stain or varnish
• Rags or paint brush

Instructions

1. Tighten up loose boards. Look for areas where boards are squeaky or loose and add additional flooring nails to these sections to secure the wood.

2. Fill small holes and cracks. Use a putty knife to apply wood putty to any small spots that are cracked or damaged. Wipe away any excess material. If the spot you are patching is noticeable, sand it down after it dries and apply a bit of urethane sealer or stain to match the rest of the floor.

3. Remove damaged planks. You can replace boards that are badly damaged or stained fairly easily. Use a circular saw to cut down the center of the board, width-wise. Pry the board up using a pry bar or hammer.

4. Take the wood you removed to a flooring distributor or home-improvement store. Find a material that matches the damaged piece as closely as possible and buy enough to take care of all necessary repairs.

5. Cut the new planks to the required lengths using a circular saw. Fit the planks into the bare spots and use flooring nails to secure them every 8 inches.

6. Apply stain, varnish or sealer to the new planks so they match the rest of the floor. Use a dry rag or small paint brush to apply any stains or seals. Apply only a single layer at a time and wait for it to dry so you can compare the color and finish. Repeat this step until the new boards match the rest of the floor to your satisfaction.