Floorboards restoration large gaps

Submitted by jayeshsondhi t3_z5j2be in DIY

Floorboards Restoration

Hi All,

Looking to restore some of the floor boards in our 1900’s house, however I noticed some large gaps, a couple broken boards, squeaky/bouncy and uneven boards.

I don’t have any spare floorboards of the same type, how can I fix these issues?

https://imgur.com/7e0tHT2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pmQLaRG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/72bu6sy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fU2vi4i.jpg

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Comments

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ICYaLata t1_ixwbxyt wrote

Is that the subfloor wood or the finish flooring? It looks more like subfloor.

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jayeshsondhi OP t1_ixwc14a wrote

This is the sub-floor

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ICYaLata t1_ixwckri wrote

Don't worry about the gaps. Your finish floor will cover those up. Find where the squeaks are and use some screws and sink them thru the boards into the joists. Even if you find them all now, new ones will show up when the weather changes, just keep that in mind.

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Phuqohf t1_ixwwjpn wrote

not screws. nails. screws will prevent the wood from being able to expand/contract properly and will cause more issues in the long run (see new construction homes 4-5 years after completion). just use good wedge shaped nails, not round ones and

−10

Suyneej t1_ixy2gjd wrote

TF you smoking? I'm pretty sure any decent home since early 2000s has used the glue and screw method.

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Phuqohf t1_ixzs7u5 wrote

yes, and look at how shitty they are and how often you have to repair them. proper, wedge shaped nails work way better for long term. round nails suck for holding things together where they will expand and contact and be moved around on a regular basis

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hotwawa t1_ixxe6vy wrote

Our floor is the sub floor as well. You can treat as sub floor and lay new floor over. Pull up flooring, install new sub floor and relay old flooring tighter to reduce gaps but be prepared to patch with additional flooring. Leave as is and patch cracks with wood filler, but this will need to be redone as it gets pushed back out of the junctions.

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lunatikdeity t1_ixxhvtd wrote

I am with what you are saying but I would suggest having a couple contractors check things out and get quotes with options to ensure more expensive repairs might have to happen later down the road. Make sure the contractors are licensed and bonded and it’s current.

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NortWind t1_ixxcyci wrote

Do you have access to the underside?

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jayeshsondhi OP t1_ixxd6zl wrote

Its on the 1st floor, so I could remove these pieces and access the joists if that is what you mean?

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NortWind t1_ixxepte wrote

I was thinking you might have to seal between the boards. The easiest way would be to tape up the bottom, and flow in coats of polyurethane varnish, and allow to dry between coats. Then power-sand everything. At least you would be able to wet-mop the floor.

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davisolzoe t1_ixwd2nl wrote

He wants to restore it, not cover it over, boards should stay as-is, check the attic for spare pieces, or get from a closet where you won’t notice the new wood, not sure about the gaps but a dark sealant I saw used once

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Tibbaryllis2 t1_ixwoj85 wrote

Looking at the pictures it appears there isn’t anything under the subfloor (you can see the joists and open space). I’d think OP would want to cover this from above or do something below the boards. Otherwise this is going to potentially lead to some weird noise/smells/insulation issues.

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