How to Repair Engineered Hardwood Floor: Easy Guide

Choosing hard surface flooring can be overwhelming, with many options, including solid and engineered hardwood. What’s the difference?

Engineered wood floors consist of several layers of hardwood and plywood, unlike solid hardwood, a single piece of wood.

Any space can benefit from hardwood flooring’s classic appeal. In addition to adding durability and versatility, engineered hardwood flooring gives the warmth and beauty of traditional hardwood. However, engineered hardwood may need repairs over time for various reasons, like moisture damage, scratches, or dents, just like any other type of flooring. Fortunately, a lot of straightforward problems may be fixed by you, sparing you the expense and inconvenience of a total replacement.

In this article, we are going to discuss different methods of how to repair engineered hardwood floor.

Materials You Need to Repair Hardwood Floor

Before how to repair engineered hardwood floors, you must gather the following tools and materials for working.

• When choosing replacement boards, make sure they are the same species and finish as your old flooring.
• For removing damaged boards, use a table or circular saw.
• For removing adhesive and damaged planks, use a chisel and a hammer.
• To secure replacement boards, use flooring adhesive.
• To remove extra adhesive, use a clean, dry cloth.
• Filling minor gaps and fissures with wood.
• To smooth the mended area, use sandpaper of various grits.
• To harmonize the mended area with the remaining floor, stain and varnish it.
• For applying stain and finish, use a paintbrush or a foam applicator.
• The safety equipment comprises gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask.

How to Repair Engineered Hardwood Floor

Repairing engineered hardwood floors will take time and patience if you want to keep it beautiful for a long time.

Here are the different methods of how to repair engineered hardwood floor.

Access the Damage

• Remove any furniture, rugs, or other obstructions from the floor area that have damage. It would be best to have a clear, unobstructed perspective for an informed assessment of the damage.
• Ensure that the space has adequate illumination. If feasible, utilize bright, evenly distributed artificial lighting, while natural light is preferable. Shadows can hide imperfections.
• Beginning at one end of the damaged area, thoroughly examine the entire space, going methodically to cover every square foot.
• Look for damage indicators like dents, scratches, water stains, discolouration, and warping. Use a flashlight or magnifying glass to look at suspicious areas more closely.
• Please write down the damage’s location, size, and severity as you find it on your notepad. Be as detailed as you can.
• Take sharp pictures of every damaged area, ensuring they are focused and well-lit. These images will be useful for documentation and demonstrating to flooring specialists if necessary.
• Pay close attention to places close to windows, doors, and spaces with a lot of moisture, such as restrooms and kitchens. Inspect the area for indications of water damage, such as cupping, buckling, or discoloration.
• If you suspect moisture damage, use a moisture meter to gauge the area’s moisture content and compare to nearby regions that aren’t affected.
• Now that the assessment has been made, you may arrange your repairs. Ascertain whether the damage can be fixed with straightforward fixes or if more drastic action, such as replacing entire planks, is required.

Remove the Damage Planks

• Cut the damaged planks along the seams using a circular saw or table saw, carefully making straight, clean cuts.
•  If the planks are glued down, use a hammer and chisel to remove them carefully. 
• Without further harming the nearby floor, gently remove the damaged planks.

Clean the Subfloor

• Clean up the subfloor of any debris and adhesive leftovers.
• Before continuing, ensure the subfloor is tidy, dry, and level.

Place Replacement Planks

• Apply flooring adhesive to the back of the replacement planks and slide them into place.
• Ensure the replacement planks are aligned with the existing flooring.
• Brush away any excess adhesive with a clean, dry cloth.

Secure the Replacement Planks

For at least 24 hours, place weights or heavy items on top of the new planks to give the adhesive time to set thoroughly.

Fill Cracks and Gaps

• Any little holes or cracks in the repaired area should be filled with wood filler.
• After letting the filler fully dry, sand it to make it flush with the surrounding floor and smooth.

Stain and Finish

• To integrate the mended area with the rest of the floor, stain it with a complementary color.
• Apply a finish that matches the stain once cured to preserve and seal the restored area. For information on the intervals between coats of drying, consult the manufacturer.

Reinstall Trim and Molding

Reattach the molding and trim you removed in step two using finishing nails or adhesive.

Clean and Restore

• To get rid of dust or dirt, vacuum the entire floor and clean it.
• Replace the furniture and carpets to return the space to its initial configuration.

Conclusion

If you have the necessary equipment, supplies, and patience, you can repair engineered hardwood floors yourself. This step-by-step guide on how to repair engineered hardwood floor will show you how to handle typical problems like dents, scratches, and water damage so that your lovely engineered hardwood flooring lasts longer. Take your time, carefully match the replacement boards, and finish the repaired section to fit the rest of the floor. With the right upkeep, your engineered hardwood floors can maintain their aesthetic value for many years.