Types of Board Damage We Repair
Hardwood floor boards can fail in several ways. Cupping occurs when boards absorb moisture unevenly, causing edges to rise higher than the center. Crowning is the opposite, where the center of a board rises above the edges. Splits and cracks develop in boards that have dried out or been hit by heavy objects. Entire boards sometimes need replacement due to water damage, pet staining that has soaked through, or rot from an old leak.
Each type of damage requires a different repair approach. Cupped boards often flatten after the moisture source is resolved, and may only need light sanding. Cracked boards can sometimes be stabilized with wood filler. Heavily damaged boards need to be cut out and replaced.
Species Matching for Dubuque's Original Floors
Matching replacement boards to original floors is the most technically demanding part of board repair. The most common species in Dubuque's pre-war housing stock are red oak (the dominant species in Victorian and Craftsman homes), Douglas fir (common in very old homes built before 1910), and maple (frequent in mid-century ranch and split-level homes).
We source new boards in the appropriate species and width. After installation and sanding, staining the repair area to match the surrounding floor is the final step. A well-executed repair is nearly invisible after refinishing because the new wood accepts stain and finish the same way as the original.
Board Repair Versus Full Floor Replacement
If damage is limited to a specific area, board repair is significantly less expensive than full floor replacement and preserves the original material, which is often higher quality than what can be purchased today. A pre-war red oak floor that has been properly refinished once or twice still has substantial wood thickness. It should be repaired, not replaced.
If more than 40 to 50 percent of the floor has structural damage, replacement may be more practical. We'll give you an honest assessment after the walk-through.
Board Repair Combined with Refinishing
Most board repair jobs are combined with a full refinish of the entire floor. This is the right approach because refinishing evens out the appearance between old and new boards, and new boards require sanding to blend with the existing floor level. We do both in one visit.
Service Area
We do board repair and replacement throughout Dubuque County and the surrounding tri-state region. See our service area or request a free quote.