This front entrance once had ceramic tiles laid on a bed of some
sort of mortar type glue, which required sanding off.
Once the glue was removed it was clear that the boards were stained
horribly and way too deep for any amount of sanding
Along with the entrance glue problem, there was also a section that
had already been repaired in the lounge room, which wasn't that
brilliant
So, because I was removing the stained boards it also gave me the
perfect opportunity to fix up the other bodgy looking repair in the
lounge.
Normally I would of staggered these boards into the existing floor,
however, on this occasion the boards did not line up so I was forced
to leave just one straight line. Not a perfect solution, but still far
better than how it was when I started.
Now the fun bit, ripping out the damaged boards.
With the right tools, as shown, it can be done quite quickly and orderly.
Well, OK, not exactly orderly but still making great progress.
The hole is now made, ready for the re-cycled Tasmanian Oak to
be shoe-horned into the space.
This part of the repair work is the most difficult and the slowest as
the second-hand boards are often slightly bowed, a little bigger,
a little smaller....
Because of the difficulty in getting them back in straight, square and
tight, we often have to trim the boards or re-mill the tongue
and grooves to make them fit. Tedious work at best.
Still, it's worth the effort as it all comes together and starts to look like
a floor again.
This is the same tool I used to rip the old boards out with, only this
time it is used to pull the boards in tight as I'm nailing them in.
This tool is like having an extra pair of hands on the job.
OK. All done. A bit of a rough sand has been done and Timbermate
putty has been forced into the nail holes and butt joins.
That's it, all fine sanded.
Quite pleasing, considering what we started with.
The home owners were absolutely delighted with the results.
This is it coated and it blends in even more and once some furniture
gets placed around the room the join will be even less prominent.
The final finish on this floor was a Satin finish, which when dry
looses all trace of the shine you see on the floor now.
For the record, it cost $35 per board, which is the labour cost, plus the cost of the necessary materials to do these sorts of repairs.
That $35 covers any length board from 450mm long up to 3.3 mts long. The cost of the materials varies greatly depending on availability and whether it is new timber or re-claimed boards.