Hardwood Flooring Repair Tips
Read these 6 Hardwood Flooring Repair Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Hardwood-Flooring tips and hundreds of other topics.
Using a Wood Floor Repair Kit
When using a wood floor repair kit, it is important to remember that the contents and instructions vary by brand. Therefore, it is important to follow instructions carefully. However, a typical wood floor repair kit is relatively easy to use and gets the job done in minimal time. The most common use for a wood floor repair kit is to eliminate the squeak or creak that often develops as wood floors age or if they were improperly installed. When using most kits, you will be injecting the squeaky areas with an adhesive, using a syringe that is included in the kit. After the injection, the substance fills into the hollow spaces under the wood floor, eliminating the noisy problem previously caused by stepping on those spaces.
Repair Water Damaged Wood
There are different levels of water damage which may affect hardwood flooring. In order to repair water damaged wood, it is necessary to first assess the damage and determine the extent of the problem. Cupping is when the flooring rises on the edge and becomes curved, like a cup, in the center. The best way to repair this problem is to significantly decrease the humidity in your home and then allow time to pass so the surface will dry-up. Once the humidity is in balance and the surface of the floor has had time to dry, you may begin the refinishing process starting by completely sanding the surface of the floor .In many cases this will be sufficient to repair the water damage and the hardwood can then be refinished.
Hardwood Floor Repair for Warped Hardwood Floors
Warped hardwood floors, also known as sagging, is a serious problem for any homeowner. It can make the flooring less attractive and also less valuable. Warping is often the result of severe moisture problems and any evidence of warped hardwood floors needs to be addressed immediately to prevent more serious problems. Warped hardwood floors are usually not the result of faulty hardwood or installation, but are indicative of significant moisture problems in the home itself that need to be remedied.
Hardwood floors which are seriously warped may not be reparable. However, hardwood floor repair is possible for floors which are only a little warped. To repair these floors, it is necessary to clean and dry the floor completely. Then it is necessary to remove the warped floorboards and plane them as necessary to remove the bulges.
Why Wooden Flooring Becomes Warped
Wooden flooring which appears to sag or bulge may be warped. These are both serious problems which may result in the need for replacing the hardwood floors. However, these problems are also indicative of more serious problems, such as excess moisture in the home. It is this excess moisture which causes the floors to warp. Homeowners who notice warped hardwood floors should take actions to return the moisture level in the house to a proper balance. If these problems are discovered early on, it may be possible to repair the hardwood floors and prevent the formation of additional problems in the home. If warping is not noticed early, it may be necessary to replace the hardwood floors instead of attempting to repair them.
How to Repair Hardwood Floors
There is no simple answer for how to repair hardwood floors. Homeowners who have a question about whether their hardwood floors can be repaired should consult a professional for an opinion. Problems such as staining and scratches can usually be easily corrected by sanding. However, problems such as warping are more serious and cannot always be repaired. Repairing hardwood flooring which is warped can sometimes be prepared by thoroughly drying the hardwood and removing floorboards adjacent to the warping and then sanding the edges of these floorboards before replacing them. If this does not correct the warping, hammering may sometimes help to remove bulges. However, if neither remedy works to repair, it may be necessary to replace the hardwood floors.
Wood Rot Repair
Wood rot repair involves removing the damage before repairing the floor. The rotted wood must be removed before the repair efforts can continue. After the rotted wood has been removed, the hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished as desired. Wood rot repair involves cutting out the rotting section, replacing the sections of the sub flooring by using glue or nails, filling in the cracks in a way that matches the remaining floor, then sanding and refinishing the floor. This helps to create a hardwood floor which is not only more appealing, but also healthier.
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| Barbara Gibson |
