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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Damaged floorboards https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1538212365 Message started by Natedog on Sep 29^th, 2018, 10:12am

Title: Damaged floorboards
Post by Natedog on Sep 29^th, 2018, 10:12am

When this house had central heating installed, they weren't overly gentle lifting the floorboards leaving some big bits missing which You could feel through the carpet.

I've found some of the missing bits under the floor and have glued them back on, but what's the best way of dealing with the others? Spoon the holes full of wood filler?[gallery]Natedog/1538211337.jpg[/gallery]

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by londonman on Sep 29^th, 2018, 11:47am

Wood filler will run down into the gaps.

I'd use a Fein or similar and cut out the broken area until you get a square edge all round. Then cut a small piece of wood to fit, glue up. If you are re-carpeting then that's all you need do.

If you are worried about the wood falling through while the glue sets then put a screw into the piece of wood enough that you can grip it. Put whatever glue you have on most of the edge of the small piece of wood but leave a couple of bare bits at either end. Get yourself something fast-curing like MitreMate and apply that to the bare bits. Put the wood in position holding onto the screw until the MitreMate has set (20 secs or so). That will then hold the wood in place while the proper stuff goes off.

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by Natedog on Sep 29^th, 2018, 5:09pm

Not sure what you mean by a fein (small circ saw? Oscillating tool?) But all the damaged boards are loose, so i can run the damaged bit off on the table saw easy enough. Don't know why I didn't think of adding a bit of new wood to the board.

Thanks dude :)

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by londonman on Sep 30^th, 2018, 10:29pm

My pleasure! Fein Multimaster was what I was suggesting. It's got me out of more holes than I care to remember,. Best bit of kit I've bought for a long time.

Other brands are available !

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by Natedog on Oct 1^st, 2018, 4:38pm

I've got the worx equivalent. I remember seeing them on the shopping channel pushing 20 years ago, and just assumed that it would be crap as it was on the shopping channel ;D still continues to amaze me just how much it does get used

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by londonman on Oct 3^rd, 2018, 7:49am

Natedog wrote on Oct 1^st, 2018, 4:38pm:

You're dead right there. My Fein has got me out of so many holes. I remember laying some Click'n'Curse engineered boards in a flat. Started at the window and worked my way back to the door. Only thing is, the door was still fitted and as I got towards the door realised that I could no longer open it enough to get out of the room as it fouled on the new floorboards. Since disassembling the floorboards was a right PITA, I stuck my hand through the gap to see what tools I might be able to pick up to help me get out of the predicament I'd got myself into.

My hand grasped the Fein and I used it to cut the bottom off the door and escaped.

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by Natedog on Oct 20^th, 2018, 4:01pm

The carpet has now arrived, so I'm just going round double checking there's no loose boards before I lay it. Is it worth trying to cut a little filler piece for these pipe cuts in the floor?

[gallery]Natedog/1540047602.jpg[/gallery]

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by Natedog on Oct 20^th, 2018, 4:02pm

Don't know why that pic came out upside down :-?

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by woodsmith on Oct 21^st, 2018, 9:58am

It doesn't normally matter at the edge where no one will tread. The only time it could be a problem is if there is a draught that blows up through the hole as this can carry dust and dirt and gradually mark the carpet. In which case I would block the hole as much as possible and then use a sealant gun to completely seal the hole.

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by thescruff on Oct 21^st, 2018, 10:05am

Please remember if the pipe is touching wood or tight in the hole it will click and creak.
If you have room put a bit of pipe insulation below the floor, if its an unheaded subfloor area it's a good idea to insulate as much as possible anyway

Title: Re: Damaged floorboards
Post by Natedog on Oct 21^st, 2018, 1:23pm

One of the pipes was touching, so I've trimmed a touch more off to stop it creaking. I can't feel any draught coming from the hole.

Most of the pipes below the floor are insulated. In places they're too close to the floor or to each other to get the insulation round them. But it leaves a choice of warm patches for the cat ;D

Carpet going down this afternoon, then that's gonna be it for work on the house for this year. Thanks again for all your advice :)