How to Repair Cracks in Wood Floors

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Repairing cracks in wood floors is relatively easy, provided the cracks aren't too large.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-1.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you don't have any leftover pieces of matching wood laying around your house, you'll have to go to a flooring store and buy a piece of wood to match. (same species and stain if possible).
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-2.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pull up the baseboard and pry up a strip from the edge of the floor, or alternatively, remove a piece from under a doorway. Sand the side of the wood nearest the wall where it will be hidden under the baseboard once it's re-laid, or at the edge of the strip under the door where it's hidden by the door jamb.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-3.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Using a belt sander, sand off a cup or two of wood from the piece of wood into a container (or however much you think you'll need to fill the cracks).
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-4.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-5.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Try to finish off as smooth as possible. Wipe the patch and adjacent flooring with a damp rag to wipe off any excess. Wipe on a diagonal to avoid pulling filler out of the patch. [2]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-6.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [3]
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-7.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If there's a huge color difference between the patch and the rest of the floor, you might need to re-stain the patch.Using a very small artist's brush, stain the patch. Allow to dry for a minute and wipe off. Let the stain set overnight and using another small artist's brush, cover the patch with a coat of varnish to match the existing floor.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-8.jpg\/aid1832550-v4-728px-Repair-Cracks-in-Wood-Floors-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If there are a large number of patches on your floor, or there's a noticeable difference in level of sheen, you might need to re-varnish the entire floor. [4]
    9. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Always wear a face mask and eye protection when using power sanders.
        Thanks
      • Add masking tape to the flooring adjacent to the area to be patched. Once you've finished patching, immediately remove the tape - don't let the sawdust & glue mixture dry on the tape.
        Thanks
      • Hardwood flooring is nailed to the sub floor. If you're pulling up a piece of wood, you'll have to cut through the nails to remove a strip. A reciprocating saw with a blade that will cut through nails is the easiest way to cut through nails. They are power nailed to the sub floor so there is no way you can pull the nails out by hand. When you reinstall the strip, you'll have to hand nail it back in place.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • belt sander
      • sawdust from your wood floor
      • wood glue
      • plastic trowel (or spatula)
      • small artist paintbrushes
      • varnish
      • wood stain
      • masking tape
      • reciprocating saw and blades (possibly)

      You Might Also Like

      How to Repair Cracked Floor Tiles
      How to Seal a Gap Between the Baseboard or Wall and the Floor
      How to Fix Gaps in Laminate Flooring at Home
      How to
      Remove Adhesive from a Hardwood Floor
      How to
      Repair Vinyl Flooring
      How to
      Replace Floor Joists
      How to
      Fix a Squeaky Floor
      How to
      Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floors
      How to
      Get Permanent Marker Stain out of Hardwood Flooring
      How to
      Repair Laminate Floor Scratches
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/fixing-wood-floors
      2. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/fixing-wood-floors
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/quick-tip-sawdust-grout/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZd65PVd-0A

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 88,052 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement