Patching Hardwood Floors

Patching in new or older hardwood floors should best be left up to a professional in our opinion. Why?

Amateur Patch Jobs Really Stick Out Patch in hardwood floor

You may think you've done a pretty good job. Hey, I'm the same way with repairs that may be out of my realm. Take for instance that roofing repair I did last year. I'm just happy it's on the other side of the house that nobody sees but myself.

Example #1

Let's take a few examples. The first one shows where a drying machine vent was removed. Instead of replacing the entire board somebody just decided to cut a plug and drop it into the floor. The cuts were good but isn't there a better way? What's the difference anyway? It looks like a great place to put the trashcan or maybe a planter?

Look closely at the patch repair on the right, probably done by a carpenter. Reasons for the plug repair and not complete board replacements probably had to do with the fact the flooring runs under the walls and cabinets. Removal is a time consuming and difficult job. Instead a shortcut was taken.

Better Methods

There were a few options here. First cut the two boards out from around the wall and cabinet, install new and run quarter round along the cabinet area. A great tool for this task would have been the Fein Multimaster that allows some superior precision cuts where other power tools cannot reach.

Option number two requiring more time and patience starts with removing the baseboard and making cuts near the wall. Once completed the base would cover the new cuts. A professional appearance would have the boards cut back to the last end joint, remove and install new by gluing into place.

Patching hardwood floors gone bad How to repair? Take a look at patching floorboards in a kitchen remodel.

Example #2

This job example shows water damage near an exterior door. It sure looks like a patch job doesn't it? Would this help sell the house if you needed to? Doubts could be raised in the eyes of the potential buyer. Their thoughts could be..."how many other band aids are in this home?"

Using matching material is key in work like this. The better professionals know how to work with floor repairs. They've learned from mistakes or others in what works and what doesn't. Finding the proper matching material could run as deep as taking boards from other less noticeable areas of the home and using in more visible areas.

Another eyesore with this repair is where the end joints line up in the floor. Boards removed before re installation Ordinarily the more attractive repairs will show as if they did not exist in the first place. The next photo example details how the job was prepared before the installation of new hardwood. Each full length board was taken from the floor. In other words, the hardwood was cut back to all end joints. Once re-installed it will look as if there was no repair done.

How Much Does It Cost To Have A Professional Come In?

For jobs like this professionals will charge by the time and material method, unless you have saved some boards from the original installation. Time equates into hourly rates which can get pricey because the value and final outcome of the work is unsurpassed.

Find Hardwood Installers Near You

Thinking of hiring a carpenter? Not a good idea unless they have experience in fine interior work. In my days of installing floors I've been called in to fix more than one carpenter repair. An everyday carpenter handles rough work and doesn't pay attention to details. In most cases they're dealing with framing houses where minor miscalculations won't be a big deal. Ever wonder why houses are out of square? Yea, some can claim it on house settling but I'm not one to believe such.

A Professional Patch Job Example

Here's one performed by a very talented Washington DC hardwood floor repair guy. An old heart pine floor needed major patchwork because walls were moved during a remodel. The before and after pictures are truly stunning.


Before	After

Related Page Links:

• Hardwood Flooring Repairs
• Repair. Weaving In New Floors