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how to repair damaged tongue and groove flooring

by Mariana Dickens Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to Repair a Tongue and Groove Wood Floor

  1. Use a hammer and chisel to chop through the damaged floorboards.
  2. At the end joint, use the hammer and chisel to cut straight down and through the tongue at the end of the damaged...
  3. Use the chisel to pry the severed tongue from the groove in the end of the adjacent floorboard.
  4. Remove the damaged floorboards using...

Part of a video titled How to Repair a Tongue-and-Groove Wood Floor | This Old ...
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It into the tongue on the long side. And you bang it right into place you have a nice tight jointMoreIt into the tongue on the long side. And you bang it right into place you have a nice tight joint and that won't lift out.

Full Answer

How to replace tongue and groove floor boards?

With some tools and expertise, you can excise damaged floor boards to replace a single tongue and groove board or a small section of boards. To remove tongue and groove boards, you will start by removing the middle of the boards.

When is it time to replace a tongue and groove floor?

When the edges of holes start to cause splinters or when stains can no longer be cleaned away, it may be time to replace a section of a tongue and groove hardwood floor. The process of replacing a single tongue and groove board requires several tools, including a circular saw and a wood chisel.

How do you remove a broken tongue from a hardwood floor?

Use the chisel to pry the severed tongue from the groove in the end of the adjacent floorboard. Remove the damaged floorboards using a flat pry bar. Sweep or vacuum the subfloor of all dust and dirt.

What is tongue-and-groove flooring?

Tongue-and-groove flooring uses a system of interlocking edges – tongues and grooves – to stay in place with few nails. When floor planks get split or warped, replace them for aesthetic reasons and to prevent further damage to the subfloor. Removing damaged planks takes a bit of effort, but new tongue-and-groove flooring installs in a snap. 1

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Can you replace one piece of tongue and groove flooring?

Next, it's time to cut the new replacement piece to length. To install a single piece of flooring into a tongue-and-groove floor, you'll need to remove the lower portion of one of the grooves. This is most easily removed with a table saw or a router, but it also can be removed with a chisel and a plane.

How do you replace a damaged tongue and groove floor board?

1:213:32How to Replace a Damaged Floorboard | City Floor SupplyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse the fine saw to remove the bulk of the damage board at the newly formed butt joint. You canMoreUse the fine saw to remove the bulk of the damage board at the newly formed butt joint. You can continue to use the fine saw to square up the cut from the circular saw blade.

Can tongue and groove flooring be refinished?

Because hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished, they don't need to be replaced as often as other flooring, such as carpet, but hardwood floors made with tongues and grooves for easier installation can be refinished only two or three times.

How do you repair damaged hardwood flooring?

1:323:03How to replace a plank in a hardwood floor | Tutorial by Quick-StepYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDon't overdo it more glue is definitely not better slide your new plank into the opening as close toMoreDon't overdo it more glue is definitely not better slide your new plank into the opening as close to the short end as possible and click in the long side use the tapping block to tap the plank closer.

Can you replace sections of hardwood floor?

We are happy to replace sections of flooring but highly recommend refinishing the entire area for a consistent look. For small issues that result in gouges or scratches in the wood, it is often possible to use wood putty to fix hardwood flooring.

How do you lift a tongue and groove floor?

1:093:51Removing Nailed Down Tongue & Groove Floorboards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo either you get yourself a nail puller and pull up the nails to slide the floorboards. Out or youMoreSo either you get yourself a nail puller and pull up the nails to slide the floorboards. Out or you cut the tongues. And pull the floorboards.

What is the difference between refinishing and resurfacing wood floors?

You can undertake to refinish yourself — but the professional treatment is sure to leave you most satisfied. Resurfacing your floor involves more than just putting a layer of polish on top. It may require removing old floorboards, grinding down uneven boards, and reinforcing wood planks with new nails.

How many times can a wood floor be sanded and refinished?

Generally, you can sand hardwood floors 5-10 times. However, the actual number greatly depends on the hardwood's strength and quality. Solid hardwood is very resistant to sanding and can withstand sanding up to 10 times. Engineered hardwood, however, isn't as strong, so it can only be sanded up to 5 times.

How do I make my hardwood floors look new without refinishing?

To make hardwood floors look like new without refinishing:Try buffing and polishing with a commercial-grade buffer.Use a hardwood floor polishing sealant.Clean markers with toothpaste and a clean cloth.Apply a wood floor cleaner or oil soap for a high-gloss clean.

How do you repair damaged oak flooring?

1:513:15Removing & replacing a damaged hardwood flooring board - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown. Okay we've got over board took out cleaned out our next step was we took a board to replace itMoreDown. Okay we've got over board took out cleaned out our next step was we took a board to replace it with we cut the tongue off one side we cut the bottom of the on the groove side we cut the bottom

Will polyurethane fill cracks in wood floor?

Sawdust and Unfinished Floors Mix the dust with some polyurethane and fill the cracks. Note that this method only works on an unfinished floor and will clash with pre-finished floors.

How do you restore hardwood floors without sanding?

3 Approaches to Refinishing Hardwood Floors Without SandingUse a store-bought chemical abrasion kit.Buff and recoat floors with polyurethane.Use a revitalizer.

How do you replace a single tongue and groove board?

0:524:53How to Repair a Tongue-and-Groove Wood Floor | This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt into the tongue on the long side. And you bang it right into place you have a nice tight jointMoreIt into the tongue on the long side. And you bang it right into place you have a nice tight joint and that won't lift out. Now I want to measure for the first piece.

How do you replace damaged engineered wood flooring?

0:433:06How to replace a plank in a hardwood floor| Tutorial by Pergo - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd into the subfloor. Use your plunge saw to make two parallel cuts in the length of the plank.MoreAnd into the subfloor. Use your plunge saw to make two parallel cuts in the length of the plank. Leave ten centimeters from the edge. So from the cuts in the middle out to the corners of the plank.

How do you replace a single floorboard?

6:329:03How To Replace One Board In A Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSide that you don't press hard and then crack the top side of that groove you shouldn't have to justMoreSide that you don't press hard and then crack the top side of that groove you shouldn't have to just hammer the board to get it in remember this is a thinner floor. So we just want to be real careful.

How do you replace old floor boards?

1:136:07How to lift old floorboards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore you start lifting the board check to see if any part of it is fixed with screws. If so removeMoreBefore you start lifting the board check to see if any part of it is fixed with screws. If so remove the screws. First. Remember to check for pipes and cables using the pipe and cable detector.

Why do you need to replace tongue and groove?

When floor planks get split or warped, replace them for aesthetic reasons and to prevent further damage to the subfloor.

What to use to clean the floor you just opened?

Clean the area of floor you just opened using a small shop vacuum, for example.

How to fix nail holes in wood?

Cover the nail holes with wood putty and allow it to dry. Sand the replacement boards with 220-grit sandpaper along the grain of the wood in preparation for finishing. Wipe away sanding dust with a tack cloth.

Can you replace tongue and groove boards?

Hardwood floor boards, or tongue and groove boards, may over time develop holes or stains. When the edges of holes start to cause splinters or when stains can no longer be cleaned away, it may be time to replace a section of a tongue and groove hardwood floor. The process of replacing a single tongue and groove board requires several tools, including a circular saw and a wood chisel. With some tools and expertise, you can excise damaged floor boards to replace a single tongue and groove board or a small section of boards.

Can you refinish tongue and groove wood?

Refinish the section of tongue and groove hardwood floor you repaired with wood stain and/or varnish using appropriate applicators as necessary to match the look of the original floor. If you have any gaps or small holes to fill in the wood floor, you can use wood floor filler.

How to cut tongues in wood?

Take a circular saw and make sure that it is set to the exact depth of the board. Take the saw and cut along the length of the board on both sides. This will allow you to cut down through the tongues on each side of the board.

How to get a board out of a hole?

Take the board and put it down into the hole. You will most likely need to use a rubber mallet in order to tap it down into the hole. Using a rubber mallet will help you prevent damage to the new board and the surrounding boards.

Can you replace tongue and groove boards?

If you have tongue and groove boards on your floor , there is a chance that you will need to repair them at some point. If one of them is damaged, you will need to remove it and put a new one in its place. Here are the basics of how to replace damaged tongue and groove boards.

What is reclaimed heart pine flooring?

Reclaimed heart pine flooring from Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. That’s true, too, with oak carpet, an alternative to tongue-and-groove popular from about 1880 to 1920. This is a hardwood veneer applied over lower-grade pine flooring (originally meant to be carpeted).

Can you sand a wood floor to restore it?

Is there an alternative to sanding that lets you restore the floor? Sometimes, rather than sanding off the old finish and with it some of the floor surface, an otherwise-sound wood floor can be lightly abraded—scratch-sanded or screened—to permit application of a compatible finish. You’ll get a floor that’s not bad and certainly better and more protected than before.

Can you salvage a hardwood floor from an attic?

Matching wood can be salvaged from closet or attic. Whether you will be happy with a patch ed floor depends on your “compul sive meter.”. If you must have perfection (and frankly, if you must, you shouldn’t be living in an old house), a patched and refinished old hardwood floor may bother you.

Can you refinish old hardwood floors?

Repairing and refinishing old hardwood floors can be a labor-intensive and complex process. Here’s a look at ways to determine whether you need a simple repair, a full refinishing job, or to simply start fresh with a new hardwood floor installation.

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