Tools & Materials
Utility knife
Hammer
Chisel
Drill/driver
Block plane
Random orbit sander
Spade bit – 5/8-in.
In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to patch strip flooring.
Steps:
1 Score cut line on damaged floorboard using a utility knife.
2 Drill series of 5/8-inch-diameter holes down center of damaged floorboard.
3 Use chisel to cut through floorboard along the scored line.
4 Chisel out center section of floorboard between the holes.
5 Use hammer and chisel to knock out remainder of damaged floorboard.
6 Chisel off the lower lip of grooved edge from replacement floorboard.
7 Plane down the width of replacement floorboard, if necessary, to fit space.
8 Apply carpenter’s glue to top of tongue on adjacent floorboard.
9 Set replacement floorboard in place and tap down with scrap block and hammer.
10 Sand repaired area with random-orbit sander.
11 Protect baseboard with blue painter’s tape.
12 Apply minimum four coats of urethane finish to replacement floorboard, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.