Hardwood Floor Replacement: A Step by Step Process

Hardwood floor replacement can be a DIY project; however, it requires patience and a little bit of research.

The process usually takes one or two days to remove the entire floor and re-stain it. If you are working on a single-story house, you can ask for help from friends or family to move furniture and sand the floor.

Whether you hire someone or do it yourself, you should make sure that the new wood flooring will not move or crack underweight.

But, let's review the wood floor replacement process, so you can know what to expect.

Steps to Complete your Hardwood Floor Replacement Project

Carefully Check your New Floor Material

When replacing hardwood floors, it is essential to note that the material used in the installation is not the same as the ones used for the floor.

You should avoid engineered flooring, which has defined layers of wood and plywood. Instead, look for solid hardwood planks, which are one type of wood throughout. While the latter has a smooth finish, the former has grooves to clip into the wood floor.

An engineered hardwood floor has a thin layer of plywood, while solid hardwood planks are one piece of wood all the way through. Depending on the type of wood, you should take a plank off the floor to determine whether it's a plywood buildup or a subfloor.

Once you have decided on your new floor, it is time to begin the process. If you want personalized information, don't hesitate and contact us today!

Prepare your Wood Floor Material

If you've noticed a deep gouge on your wood floor, it's a good idea to take a dry run before attempting to install it. You should be able to see whether you need to cut any planks.

Typically, the first row of planks should be laid 3/8" away from the wall. You should also give some space every six to eight inches apart. Then, the next row should be applied the same way, starting from the wall.

For any gaps or unevenness in the flooring, you should tap the planks with a rubber mallet to ensure that they fit together well. You should also use an awl and hammer to hammer down any raised nail heads.

Then, you may need to rip the entire wood floor plank out if you have a deep scratch. You should use a saw to cut the wood floor, and a multi-tool with a sharp blade is best.

If you're unable to find an oscillating multi-tool, you can also buy a chisel to cut the wood. But if your damaged floor is too deep to be removed, you'll need to use a sharp knife to remove the affected plank.

Use a Wax

You can also consider using a wax stick instead of a waxing compound. Wax sticks come in different colors, and you can apply them directly to the floorboards.

They are easy to use and can be placed directly into the hole. But it's important to know that these products will not stick to deep scratches, as they can be warped; this can lead to an infestation and wiggled boards. In such a situation, it would be more practical just to replace 30% of the panels and let the remaining 30% stay in place.

You Can Also Count on Us for your Hardwood Floor Replacement Project

You can always call our professional team to help you complete any flooring project. We have several years of experience supporting homeowners to finish their wood floor replacement tasks.

Contact us today to learn more.