how to use wood filler on hardwood floors?

Wood filler is a great way to repair and fill gaps in your hardwood floors. It’s an inexpensive, easy-to-use product that can help you save money on costly repairs.

Wood filler comes in different types, including tung oil and epoxy.

You can also use a combination of both types of wood filler if necessary. There are several ways you can use wood filler on hardwood floors depending on the type of crack or gap that needs fixing.

In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about using wood filler for hardwood floor repairs

How do you repair a wood floor with wood filler?

“Countersinking,” or filling the holes with wood filler, is the first step in repairing a hardwood floor. Follow these steps to do it:

  • Use a putty knife to apply the filler in thin layers, working from the center of each hole toward its edge.
  • Wipe away excess filler using a damp rag. Don’t wipe too vigorously, or you’ll cause bubbles! Repeat until all surfaces are coated and smooth—this may take more than one application if your patch area is large or deep. Let dry for 24 hours before sanding smooth again with 100-grit sandpaper (if needed).

What do you use to fill gaps in wood floor?

To fill gaps in hardwood floors, you’ll want to use wood filler. Wood filler is a good choice for filling gaps in wood flooring because it’s durable and easy to work with.

If you have concrete floors, however, then your best bet would be to install new planks of wood flooring rather than using wood filler on them.

Wood filler can be used for many types of repairs on wooden floors including:

  • Filling cracks in the surface of the floor;
  • Repairing damaged areas where pieces of the floor have broken off;
  • Fixing holes left by old nails or screws; and
  • Making minor touch-ups after installing new boards over existing ones (e.g., if there are gaps between two adjacent planks).

Do you use wood filler before or after sanding hardwood floors?

If you are going to apply wood filler to your hardwood floors, it’s important that you sand the floor before applying the filler.

You can use a coarse grit if you want a more even finish on your floor, or choose a finer grit if you want to get into all of the nooks and crannies where dirt has gathered.

If you don’t sand your floor first, this will leave marks in areas like corners and edges where dirt has collected over time.

Should you fill hardwood floor gaps?

As with any flooring, hardwood floors can have gaps between the boards. If you don’t fill these gaps, they can be a trip hazard and unsightly.

A small gap between two boards is an easy fix—just use wood putty to fill in the gap. If the gap is larger and needs more structural support, use a wood filler like Minwax Wood Filler.

What kind of wood filler do you use on hardwood floors?

  • Choose a wood filler based on the type of hardwood floor you’re repairing. For example, if you have oak floors that are damaged by water damage and stains, you should use an oil-based filler (like Minwax® WaterBased Wood Filler) or a stainable hardwood flooring repair kit (like Minwax® Hardwood Floor Repair Kit).
  • Some fillers can be used on all types of surfaces. If your floor is scratched and gouged from heavy furniture or pets walking across it, use Melamine Filler to fill in these areas. You can also use this product for nail holes and cracks on the surface of your boards; just make sure that they’re dust-free before putting them back into place!

How long does wood filler take to dry?

The drying time for wood filler is dependent on the type of wood filler you choose. If you use a solvent-based wood filler, it will take longer to dry than if you used an oil-based product.

The size of the gap and how much moisture is present in the air also have an impact on drying time.

If you’re concerned about your floor’s appearance while it dries, then keep these factors in mind:

  • The larger gaps will take longer to dry than smaller ones because they have more surface area exposed to air.
  • Humidity has a significant effect on drying time—the higher the humidity level, the slower it will be for your flooring materials and products (including finishes) to dry out completely after installation or repair work has been completed.*

How do you fill gaps in hardwood floors cracks?

There are several methods for filling gaps in hardwood floors. One of the most common methods is to use wood filler, also known as wood putty or wood patching compound, to fill the gap created by a crack or groove.

You can choose from different types of wood filler depending on the type of damage you are trying to repair. For example, if you’re repairing shallow scratches and dents on your flooring then you can use a hardwood filler that matches your flooring’s color exactly.

Alternatively, if only small pieces of your floor have been damaged then it may be easier to sand down those areas rather than trying to match them with a piece of new material (such as when repairing large dents).

How big of a gap can wood filler fill?

Wood filler is a great solution for filling small gaps in hardwood floors. The product can fill gaps as small as 1/16th of an inch, so you can use it to fill very fine cracks in your flooring without wasting any material.

Wood filler is also able to fill larger cracks up to 3/4 inches wide. If you have a wider crack that needs filling, it’s possible to do so with wood filler by using multiple applications of the substance over time.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article will help you figure out the best way to repair your hardwood floors. I would recommend using a wood filler before sanding if you have large gaps in the floor that need filling up.

Just make sure that it is not too thick or else it will be difficult to sand down in the future.

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Martin Flood

Martin Flood has been working in the construction industry for over 20 years as a general contractor with expertise in remodeling projects that are large or small. He has furthered his career by specializing in epoxy resin flooring, providing excellent service to both commercial and residential clients. Martin’s experience enables him to offer professional advice on how to choose the right type of project based on your needs and budget.

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