Steps to follow to change a plank of floating wood flooring
When you have floating wood floors at home, it may be the case that one or more planks are too damaged to be renovated. If this happens, it’s important to replace the strip(s) as soon as possible so that the floor doesn’t deteriorate any further. This also ensures that your floor maintains its original appearance.
If you are well prepared with all the necessary materials on hand, replacing a strip of floating wood flooring shouldn’t prove a challenge.
In this section, we will explain why floor strips may need to be replaced and how to do so.
When do floating wood floor planks need to be replaced?
Floating wood floors may get damaged over time. In many cases, simply sanding and filling any holes is all that’s required. However, sometimes an entire strip is damaged and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Any knocks or imperfections can have a major impact on the floor’s elegant appearance.
Aside from the aesthetic implications, any damage may also cause the entire floating wood floor to deteriorate over time. Of course, you don’t need to replace a plank at the first sign of any scratches. Simply follow our instructions on maintaining oiled wood floors and protect the wood from moisture and knocks.
As a general rule, a plank of floating wood floor only needs to be replaced if:
- The floor is warped due to moisture seeping into the gaps between the strips
- The floor is badly scratched from repeated use or friction from pieces of furniture
Replacing a plank of floating wood flooring
Floating wood floors are the most straight forward and cost effective to install. If your floor suffers any major wear or tear, it’s easy to repair it. Thanks to the simple installation process, replacing a floating wood floor plank takes very little time and doesn’t require you to call out a professional.
Watch our video on replacing a strip of floating wood flooring for additional guidance.
What tools do I need to replace a floating wood floor strip?
Before you start work, you need to make sure you have the right type of replacement plank so that it clicks perfectly into position.
To replace a plank, it’s important to have the following DIY tools to hand:
- A handheld circular saw
- A wood chisel
- A hammer
- Panaget Presto BIB glue
- A weight
Cutting out the damaged wood floor plank
To cut out the damaged plank, drill a hole in each of the 4 corners, 1.5 cm from the edge. Then use the saw to connect the 4 holes.
Removing the damaged wood floor plank
Use a wood chisel to remove the plank you want to replace. Place your chisel in one of the grooves you made with the circular saw. Next, insert the chisel into the wood plank by hammering it down. You can now use the chisel as a lever to remove the central part of the plank. Finally, carefully remove the remaining 1.5 cm edge using the wood chisel.
Installing a new floating wood floor plank
In contrast with other types of wood floors, you do not need to remove the underlay when replacing a floating wood floor plank so that it will slot perfectly into place. There’s also no need to glue the entire plank. The new plank should be prepared as shown in the video (removal of the bottom flange of the grooves and the tongue at the end). Simply apply Presto BIB glue to the tongues at the end and along the side of the wood.
To insert the new plank into the slot, lay it flat. Then push down so that it is well adhered to the other planks. Place a weight on top of the new wood floor plank and leave for at least 24 hours.
And that’s all there is to it! Your new floating wood floor plank is now in place.
To keep your floating wood floor in perfect condition, we strongly advise reading our recommendations on the best cleaning methods for floating floors and the best products to use to maintain the wood.
For additional, tailored information, request a quote now.
