Step By Step Process & Items Required To Replace Tounge And Groove Floorboards
The tongue-and-groove flooring is used as a system of interlocking edges – tongues and grooves – to stay in actual place with the help of few nails. When your floor planks get warped or split then you need to replace them for aesthetic reasons and to avert further damage to your subfloor. Removing any damaged planks takes a bit of effort but the new tongue-and-groove flooring planks installs in a snap. If you want to replace tongue and groove floorboards by yourself then you just need to gather the mentioned items and steps to follow. Here is the list of required items and steps for this process:
Things Needed For This Process
- Circular Saw & Utility Knife
- Straight Edge & Chisel
- Pry Bar & Replacement Planks
- Table Saw & Rubber Mallet
- 8d Finish Nails & Nail Gun
- Wood Putty & 220 Grit Sandpaper
- Tack Cloth & Wood Stain And/Or Clear Finish
- Paintbrush
Steps For This Process
- First of all, you need to set your circular saw to cut 1/16-inch deeper than the depth of your damaged floorboards. Most of the tongue-and-groove floorboards are 3/4-inch deep.
- Next you need to saw two parallel lines lengthwise down your damaged floorboards and leave a 1-inch width betwixt the two saw lines. Lift your circular saw just before reaching the other end of your floorboard.
- Now you need to score your damaged boards on each end of it by simply using a utility knife and the straight edge. Chisel along with the scored lines at a 30-degree angle and then you need to remove your damaged boards with the help of a pry bar. Remove all dirt and debris from your opened floor area before proceeding to next step.
- The next thing is to remove your bottom grooves of your replacement planks by using a table saw and cut your planks to the required length.
- Now you need to drop your replacement planks in place and then simply tap them flush with your existing boards by using your rubber mallet. Next, you have to nail your boards in place with the help of two finish nails on each end, by using a nail gun.
- Next, cover your nail holes with the help of wood putty and then allow it to dry wholly. Simply sand your replacement boards with the help of 220-grit sandpaper along with the grain of your wood in preparation for finishing. Wipe away sanding dust with your tack cloth.
- Finally, you need to varnish or stain your replacement boards to match the color and gloss of your existing boards. Follow the instructions which are given on your finishing product labels to regulate how to apply them.