How to Repair a Mud Floor
Mud floors also go by the name rammed earth floors and are made using a mud-like mixture that dries to a hard surface. The top of the dried mud is sealed using multiple layers of oil to make it more durable and resistant to moisture. Although mud floors last for many years, occasionally small repairs are required. When heavy objects are dropped on them, holes are created which must be patched with additional mud mixture. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum
- Bucket
- Sand
- Clay
- Chopped straw
- Water
- Trowel
- Linseed oil
- Cloth
- Impregnation oil (optional)
- Cloth (optional)
- Crayon (optional)
- Razor blade (optional)
Instructions
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1
Vacuum out any holes or gouges thoroughly to remove all dust and debris that may interfere with the repair process.
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2
Fill a bucket with a mixture of six parts sand, two parts clay and one part straw chopped up well. Try to use the same clay originally used when the floor was created so the color matches the remainder of the floor. Stir the mixture up well and then add water slowly until it forms the consistency of mortar.
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3
Insert a trowel into the bucket and scoop up some of the patch mixture. Place it in the center of a floor hole and smooth the trowel over the top to press the mixture down and remove air bubbles. Continue until the hole is completely filled and then scape off excess mixture from the top.
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4
Repeat the process to patch any remaining holes in the mud floor in the same manner.
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5
Allow the mud patch to dry for 48 hours so that no moisture remains. Open a bottle of linseed oil and soak a rag with it. Wipe the rag over the patched areas to seal them and allow it to dry. Apply at least three more coats of oil to the patches, allowing each one to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Mud floor scratches are repaired by rubbing impregnation oil over the scratch using a cloth until the scratches disappear. Repair small holes by filling them with melted wax, such as from a crayon, in a matching color. Allow the wax to cool and scrape off the excess from the top of the hole using a razor blade.
