Hey everyone,

I have recently started my own business doing additions and home improvement. I now have a customer needing approx. 30 sqft of 2-1/4" oak removed because of water damage over the years (house built in 1946) and replaced with new. Then sand and refinish entire floor. I have installed several floors before but never a repair job like this. It is in the center of the floor but butts to the wall, which is good I asume.

Any advice or tips I should know before I begin especially with removal and reinstallation.

This customer leads to many others especially in this line of work. Just want to make an awesome impression.

Time is of the essence

Thank you,

Jason Stooksbury

The repair should be fairly simple for a guy who is competent like your self. I assume this based upon your self started business.

1. Tear out damaged area. A plunge cut saw like the Fein Multimaster will allow you to cut into the boards that are in the field and maintain a stagger to the repair.

2. Use router and loose tounges to splice in repair material. Be sure to match red or white oak. Where I have to top nail I will use construction ashesive under the board and wood glue in the grooves. All splines should be glued with wood glue as well.

3. Since an awesome impression is needed. I would seriously consider having a professional with floor sanding experience handle the floor finishing. If you do not have that experience.

If your going to be making an income/profit off this repair and not just a DIY'er working in their own home, I highly suggest you get a professional in there whos business and reputation is with water damaged wood flooring.

It is not just a take out the old, and replace with new.

I believe NOFMA & the NWFA, have the protocol documented on their websites, just how to correct this concern, without having to do it twice or three times.

Semper Fi! Devil Dog! I just noticed your profile name. This former Marine will do what I can to help you with your project. This also confirms my assumption about your competence.

Good luck

Related about removing in staggered proportion. Principles apply but this is a gluedown of prefinished hardwood at the link below.

Remove & Weave In New Hardwood Floor