Bamboo flooring is an extremely beautiful and durable alternative to hardwood flooring. It is an ecological flooring option that offers resistance, resilience and profitability. Bamboo floor planks look similar to other hardwood floor planks, such as oak and maple, and are installed basically the same way. If bamboo floor boards become damaged, they can be repaired in the same way as other traditional hardwood floors. So if your bamboo planks need more than touch ups or cleaning, you can follow some simple but helpful tips to replace bamboo flooring planks.
First of all, you need to determine the installation method of your bamboo flooring. If your floor is secured to the subfloor by a gluing, nailing, or stapling method, and you even have to replace a board, then the job becomes very complex. Special attention will be needed to replace the board, as one small mistake can ruin your floor. In this case, you’d better seek the services of a professional to replace the damaged planks. This article will give you an idea of what major repairs to stapled or nailed planks entail, and why hiring a professional to do the repairs is highly recommended.
For the nailed floor method, your planks can be installed using the “blind nail” or “face nail” technique. The “blind nailing” technique will have nails spaced approximately 5-8 inches apart and the nails will need to be driven further down to remove the planks. However, the nails will not be easy to see as they are angled towards the tongue side of the planks. On the other hand, the “face nailing” technique will have nails driven straight down through the top of the planks and you need to look for the small wood filler spots to locate these nails.
The next thing to do is mark the size and location of the planks that need to be replaced. You may want to remove the section of the board from the damaged area to the closest end, or you may need to remove only the affected area between the two board ends. After marking the location of the board to be replaced, the next step is to draw a reference line across the board and drill a row of small holes along the side of the line, in the bamboo board. which is to be replaced. It is important to drill carefully so as not to pierce the subfloor.
After drilling, chisel the board by chiselling between the drilled holes until you can split the bamboo board. If you have to remove the entire board, it would be best to first break it in half and then separate the two pieces. The next step is to clean up any remaining edges or pieces with a hammer, a sharp wood chisel, and a steady hand. Also, clean up any debris or chips that may be left in the subfloor. You should also look for any exposed nails and remove or drive them completely into the subfloor.
The next step is to cut the replacement part to a precise length. It is necessary to remove one side of the slot and the tab to insert accurately into the empty space. Before making any cuts, be sure to line up the board. Now, apply a flooring adhesive or glue to the underside of the board, or a board with “face nails” on the subfloor. Angle the remaining groove and tongue edge into the existing plank and snap it into place smoothly. For the “face nailing” method, you will also need to apply sand, wood filler, and countersink the nails to match the rest of the flooring. If your bamboo flooring is not permanently attached to the subfloor or is a floating installation, you can easily take care of repairs yourself. Simply remove the quarter round or base trim on the side of the room closest to the affected area and begin unplugging the planks.
