Parquet repair: how to restore parquet with your own hands

Many parquet owners want to update their floors with minimal effort - so that they don’t have to take all the furniture out of the apartment, don’t have to negotiate with relatives to temporarily stay with them until the work is completed, don’t have to take time off from work and don’t have to look for craftsmen and performers of the work. Especially for you, we provide detailed step-by-step instructions for cosmetic renovation of parquet without sanding. We will try to cover the topic in all details and subtleties. Below is a step-by-step procedure for those who want to carry out parquet repairs themselves.

Attention: We advise you to always read the manufacturers' recommendations before you start using all the materials and technologies we list below.

Do-it-yourself parquet repair and restoration

For a long time, parquet has been considered one of the most expensive materials for floor finishing, since natural wood is used for its production. Properly laid parquet looks aesthetically pleasing and attractive, and its service life is significantly longer than that of other coatings. The question often arises: how to keep parquet in perfect condition? Parquet repairs will not have to be carried out frequently if you constantly take care of the coating and eliminate them when defects appear.

If the installation of parquet was done correctly, then this coating can last for many years.

Gaps in the coating

Throughout the year, parquet experiences changes in humidity, sometimes even significant ones.
It gets excessively moistened and then dries out, and as a result, gaps appear between the slats. It is impossible to completely eliminate this process, but it can be mitigated if in winter, when the relative air humidity in the apartment drops below 20%, you use a humidifier. Gaps in parquet flooring pose a potential danger to the floor. And it’s not just about the aesthetics and beauty of its appearance - dirt and debris will get into them, unnecessary moisture during wet cleaning, which will increase the cracks. Long-term absence of repairs and regular exposure to moisture will cause the planks to rot at the site of damage.

For the most part, in these cases, you can repair the parquet yourself.

1. If the width of the gap is not very large (less than 3.5 mm) and is located somewhere in the middle of the floor, then it is cleaned with something sharp and thin, for example, thin wire or a knife, and putty with mastic or suitable putty. By the way, you can prepare the putty yourself from birch, beech or oak sawdust (you need to match it to the color) and wood glue.
2. If the gap is large, more than 5 mm, then the putty is no longer an assistant - it spreads quickly and “will not stay in the gap.” But it’s still possible to cope. It is deepened, the edges are trimmed with a chisel, if necessary, and cleaned. An insert is cut out of suitable wood, coated with mastic or wood glue and driven into the gap.
3. The cracks near communication pipes are sealed differently - using sealant. It is applied with a special syringe. Since this paste is based on acrylic resin, it should not be exposed to water until it dries completely. Excess paste is removed with a spatula. After waiting for complete drying, the surface to be repaired is carefully sanded with fine-grained sandpaper so as not to scratch the dies. Then they paint over it with a stain or paint matched to the color of the parquet using a special swab or brush. The repair work is completed by varnishing or treating with mastic.

Basic types of do-it-yourself parquet restoration

Before raising the issue of restoring parquet boards or parquet, you must first analyze the condition of the floor covering and, if specific problems are identified, make a decision on the need for repairs. To do this, you should think through the main stages of the work, approximately calculate the waste, so that during the repair process you do not encounter the problem of a lack of funds. Only after a preliminary assessment can work begin.

Before restoring the coating, it is necessary to assess its condition.

Depending on the degree of complexity of parquet repair and restoration, the work carried out can be divided into 3 types:

1. Major renovation. It is carried out mainly after the expiration of the warranty period of the floor covering and in the event that the cost of restoring the parquet will be higher than the cost of a major replacement of the boards.
2. Average renovation. It is planned when obvious defects have appeared on the floor that require elimination, for example, a change in the color of the surface, the appearance of stains, the mobility of some elements or squeaking when pressed. The work consists of replacing parquet or restoring individual tiles of the coating.
3. Routine repair of parquet floors. This measure is more likely to be preventive; it allows you to postpone major repairs for a long time.

Note! Parquet is one of the most stable coatings. With proper operation and timely repairs and maintenance, it can last for several decades. Moreover, most of the restoration work can be performed locally.

Repairs of average complexity include general restoration of parquet or replacement of individual boards.

Small voids near baseboards

The cracks that are located near the baseboards are probably the most unpleasant. They start by removing the baseboard. Between the wall and the outer board, there should usually be a spreading wedge inserted: if it gets loose, just strengthen it.

If instead of an expanding wedge you find foam, press the plank away from the wall and install a suitable wedge in the resulting space.

Wide holes

There is no point in filling a deformation of more than 5 mm; it will crack anyway. We will fight such deformations “by contradiction” - first we will deepen them. If the edges are uneven, they should be trimmed with a chisel and the resulting groove should be cleaned.

We cut out a plank from suitable wood, grease it with wood glue and hammer the insert between the planks.

We coat it with varnish, having first cleaned and sanded the repair. Gaps in parquet are formed mainly due to significant changes in humidity throughout the year. They can be prevented by maintaining relative humidity of about 20% in winter. For these purposes, in particular, an artificial air humidifier is used.

The main reasons why parquet floors lose their appearance

The need to repair and restore parquet will arise sooner or later in any case, and the main reason here is constant and long-term operation. After all, people not only walk on parquet flooring in house shoes, they also move furniture on it and damage the flooring with sharp heels or rough soles. Other causes of defects include:

1. Constant excess humidity. Wood is distinguished by its ability to swell when wet, the same applies to wooden parquet blocks. If this is a basement floor and a special waterproofing layer is not laid under the parquet, then the coating will sooner or later swell and walking will be accompanied by squeaking.
2. Excessively dry air. Constant high temperature in the room causes the wooden elements to dry out, which is likely to cause deformation and distortion of the base.
3. Improper cleaning. Frequently carried out wet cleaning with a regular mop or steam cleaner leads to the accumulation and retention of liquid in the crevices, which can cause the wood to rot.
4. No processing. If the purchased parquet has not been pre-treated with special agents that prevent the growth of fungus or wood pests, then such a floor will quickly become unusable, even with proper care.

Parquet flooring can deteriorate due to high humidity or excessive dryness in the room.
Among the main reasons why you will have to repair parquet boards is surface discoloration. This happens mainly due to the use of unsuitable detergents, excess moisture or the ingress of aggressive chemicals, such as ammonia. The main problems also include:

1. Appearance of cracks. The main reason is considered to be dry air, which often occurs in winter with active use of heating devices. The preferred humidity in a room with parquet is 40-50%.
2. Blistering of boards. It is formed due to the accumulation of water under the surface of the board or due to improper repair of the parquet after the room has been flooded.
3. Lack of heat resistance. Associated with improper installation of insulation or poor processing of joints, and can also be caused by insufficient preparation of the base.
4. Displacement of boards when walking. It occurs due to a violation of the screed technology, the absence of a soil layer or the formation of mold on the inside of the boards.
5. Peeling of parquet from the base. The problem occurs when there are uneven surfaces on the floor, due to uneven application of the adhesive mixture, as well as when the dies are incorrectly attached to the wooden base.
6. Gaps between boards. The main reason for the appearance is the use of too wet material.
7. Glue protrusion. Occurs as a result of applying a very thick layer, improper laying of boards or due to incorrectly sized sheets.
8. Scratches and dirt. This happens mainly when the floor covering is not used carefully.

The appearance of defects on the parquet may be the result of improper cleaning.
The most common problem that causes the need to replace parquet is subsidence of the floor, which occurs due to the destruction of the screed under heavy load.

How to clean parquet

To clean parquet, you can only use special products containing surfactants that have a neutral acid-base reaction. Under no circumstances should abrasives, dishwashing detergents, soda, or solvents (acetone, alcohol, gasoline, etc.) be used.

If blood gets on the parquet or pets defecate on it, you should immediately clean the stain with a damp cloth. Once such stains dry, it will be impossible to remove them without leaving a trace. You will have to scrape, sand and re-varnish.

conclusions

With proper care, parquet can last a long time and delight you with beauty and comfort. At the same time, minor cosmetic repairs in case of minor damage or loss of appearance can be performed independently. Guided by the recommendations and video materials, you can easily cope with this task.

Preparing the premises for the main types of repair and restoration of parquet flooring

Any repair or restoration of parquet in an apartment should begin with preparing the room. To do this, you need to remove all furniture and interior items from the room. If you replace the boards locally, you can repair the parquet without removing the furniture, but in any case it is better to cover it with film to protect it from dust settling. During a major replacement, you should completely vacate the room, because any type of repair will be accompanied by dusty work, especially if you need to adjust the boards to size using a jigsaw.

It is also better to immediately identify all damage; you can even outline them with chalk so that during the repair process you do not miss defective areas. After assessing the condition of the coating, you should make sure that you have some tools, especially if you will be restoring the parquet yourself. These include:

• surface grinder or parquet sander;
• angle grinding;
• cycle;
• sandpaper with varying degrees of abrasiveness;
• vacuum cleaner;
• chisel and plane;
• jigsaw;
• putty for wooden structures;
• finishing coating, which includes varnish, wax or oil.

After assessing the condition of the parquet and determining the type of restoration, you need to stock up on all the necessary tools.
We should not forget about personal protective equipment, because some types of work should be carried out with gloves, and when using a jigsaw, it is recommended to cover your eyes with safety glasses.

How to care for parquet

In order for parquet to serve faithfully for many years, to remain in good condition and not need repairs, you need to be able to properly care for it (for more details: “How to care for parquet correctly - tips”). Most of all, parquet is damaged by direct sunlight, large particles of dust or sand, as well as insufficient or excessive humidity. When exposed to excess moisture, parquet swells, in too dry a room it dries out, the sun makes it ugly and dark, and sand destroys the top layer of the protective coating.

Subtleties of care:

1. Avoid direct sun - the light should be diffused by tulle or vertical blinds. Horizontal blinds are not recommended in this case, since, on the contrary, they create a directed flow of sunlight.
2. You can walk on the parquet only in soft indoor shoes, and under no circumstances in street shoes. Before entering the room, you can lay a small mat made of fabric so that grains of sand linger on it. Pile carpeting will not protect parquet floors from sand.
3. To bring less dirt into your apartment, it is better to place a plastic pad at the front door for cleaning shoes.
4. Do not allow humidity levels to drop below 20%. In winter, place containers of water under the radiators to humidify the air.
5. Ventilate the room as often as possible. In summer, curtain the windows with mosquito netting, which will also serve as protection against large dust particles.
6. You need to vacuum your parquet floor, the more often the better. But wet cleaning can only be done manually and no more than once a week. A microfiber cloth is ideal.

If there is unvarnished old parquet in the room, in order to preserve it, you need to regularly polish the floor with mastic based on beeswax or oil. It makes the top layer of parquet much stronger. An alternative is water-based varnish. Then it is enough to do the rubbing once a week.

Spot repair of old parquet: eliminating cracks and restoring loose boards

The cost of parquet repair will primarily depend on the extent of the damage. Often, local replacement of some elements will cost a little less than a major overhaul, because it will be necessary to fit new parts to those already installed. The duration of operation of the floor covering without additional measures is influenced by the quality of local work.

The most common reason for minor parquet repairs is the appearance of cracks due to loosening of the planks. This problem is relevant due to the fact that wood is a capricious material, which is characterized by swelling and shrinking. Therefore, preventing the occurrence of cracks is considered a rather difficult task, since it is not always possible to maintain constant humidity and temperature in the room.

On a note! When large gaps appear, the first thing you need to do is pull the planks together and place a piece of wood in the free space, which will be enough to close the gap. If there are a lot of cracks, it is better to completely lift the covering and lay it again. You need to be prepared for the fact that some of the planks will need to be replaced.

Local restoration of parquet will cost much less than major repairs.

It is recommended to take into account that if, when loosened, only a certain number of planks are replaced, there is no guarantee that over time the same defect will not occur in another part of the floor. Step-by-step instructions for repairing parquet with your own hands:

1. Using a chisel, remove any loose dies. If the element does not come out well, you can try to split the part with a sharp end by inserting a chisel parallel to the fiber structure. After splitting, the element is taken out in parts.
2. Remove the remaining adhesive mixture and clean the base on which the removed boards were located.
3. If strong unevenness occurs, use putty.
4. Remove the side edges from the dies requiring replacement and level the ends using a plane.
5. Sometimes, in order to install several strips, the parts adjacent to them are also replaced.

In some cases, when replacing several elements, the picture is assembled separately and then placed in its entirety in the resulting space. At the same time, it is necessary that the details match perfectly with the rest of the parquet in pattern and color and fit into the overall picture. When replacing individual parquet boards, you can use special glue or bitumen mastic, which requires heating before use.

Parquet blocks that are loose are removed using a chisel.

After a certain section of parquet has been replaced, a weight should be placed on top. In this case, it is necessary to additionally capture small areas located next to the long-glued elements. If there are glue residues on the sides of the edges, they must be removed immediately, because after drying it will be impossible to remove the glue without leaving traces.

When the boards adhere tightly to the base and the glue is completely dry, restoration work will need to be carried out. To do this, you need to clean the treated area with sandpaper, then remove the dust and cover the new parquet with varnish, oil, mastic, or the same composition that was used to treat the entire surface.

Types of work

Before you restore parquet with your own hands, you need to master several simple manipulations. Let's talk about each of them in more detail.

There are ready-made putty pastes and mixtures on sale that can be used to fill cracks and crevices (for more details: “Which putty for parquet is best suited”). However, in some cases you can prepare such a mixture yourself. To do this, you will need remnants of the old parquet left in reserve. They need to be sawn into small sawdust and mixed with parquet varnish to a paste-like state, or with epoxy varnish in a ratio of 4:1. This grout is ideal if you want to accurately match the tone of the wood.

Imitation of joints

You can disguise the putty by simulating joints, which can be done using a ruler and an awl:

• First you need to wait a little until the putty hardens to the state of gelatin, that is, it will be plastic, but not sticky. Alkyd and uralkyd varnish hardens within a few minutes after application and quickly crystallizes.
• For straight joint lines, furrows are drawn with an awl under a ruler.
• Wavy lines are pressed with a metal ruler.
• If the putty has already hardened, then to create false joints it will have to be scratched with an awl.

Manual looping

To scrape small areas of parquet, you can use a hand scraper, which can be purchased at a specialty store. If desired, a hand scraper can be made from a plane blade.

Sanding with feet

You can sand small sections of parquet using two types of sandpaper glued to the soles of old shoes. For roughing, paper No. 40 is suitable, and for finishing – No. 80. Sanding with your feet is faster than by hand, and the processing is more delicate than, for example, with a whetstone.

How to get rid of squeaks and other problems that require restoration of old parquet

The problem of a creaking floor is familiar to many, because it is considered one of the most common; it arises due to the friction of the planks relative to each other under the influence of weight. In this case, you can try to repair the parquet yourself using any type of fastener. These can be screws, self-tapping screws or other options screwed flush with the coating. After screwing in the element, the installation site is hidden using putty of the desired color.

Another reason for unpleasant sounds is the separation of the floor covering from the base. Here, an important task is to return the boards to their original position.

In some cases, in order to eliminate the squeak, you will have to completely or partially remove the parquet.

To repair creaking parquet flooring you may need:

• self-tapping screws, with the help of which individual strips are tightened to the base;
• an adhesive mixture injected into the gap between the slats using a syringe or syringe with a thin plastic tip;
• Polyurethane foam, due to its strong swelling, is recommended for use least often.

The most expensive parquet repair will involve complete or partial dismantling of the planks, after which they are re-installed, and the most unsuitable parts are either adjusted or replaced with new ones.

The third reason for the friction of the boards against each other is considered to be a violation of the technique of laying the dies and an incorrectly calculated distance between them. In this case, local repairs of the parquet are not allowed, because in any case it will be necessary to completely remove all elements, as well as move the logs, after which the coating will be laid again.

On a note! If one joist moves during assembly, do not lift the entire parquet completely. It is necessary to disassemble the adjacent part of the covering, use a hammer to knock the joist into place, and then reinstall the parquet.

If some parquet tiles have peeled off, you can fix the problem using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver.

In addition to the reasons listed, creaking sounds can also be caused by the absence of an expansion joint, which should be located between the edge of the parquet and the wall. In order to properly make a seam, after laying it is necessary to cut off part of the covering to form a small gap, the optimal size of which is 1-1.5 cm. There are other reasons why it may be necessary to repair panel parquet or conventional plank covering.

The appearance of a difference between shields or individual elements. In this case, it is necessary to sort out a significant area, because the cause of the violation may be deformation of the base. If a step of small height has formed, you can try to raise the protruding planks, cut off part of the coating at the base, or sand it.

Darkening of the surface. The main reason why old parquet has to be restored is considered to be the contact of aggressive chemicals on the surface, which quickly penetrate deep into the wood. Another reason is the wrong type of tinting or other coating. In this case, the only option for parquet repair is scraping and sanding, after which varnish, tonic or an oil-wax mixture is applied.

Mold control

Let's move on to a description of more labor-intensive procedures.

If moisture sometimes gets on the surface of the parquet, this is bad, but not critical. If water regularly seeps into the subfloor space, then large-scale pockets of mold that destroy the coating from the inside and appear on its surface will cause a lot of trouble for the owner of the house.

Fighting mold on parquet is a complex and time-consuming task, consisting of several stages:

1. Complete dismantling of the finished and subfloor in areas where mold is detected.
2. Identifying the cause of moisture accumulation under the parquet and eliminating it.
3. Drying the screed (subfloor) and treating all elements with protective compounds.
4. Installation of subfloor and installation of parquet.

The reasons that cause moisture accumulation under parquet flooring can be very diverse. This could be a fistula in the heating riser, due to which the entire floor slab or floor screed becomes saturated with moisture. Also, the cause of mold can be wet walls (more precisely, moisture that flows down damp walls under the floor). Be that as it may, you will have to approach mold removal with all responsibility.

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Mold must be dealt with radically, and not just wait for it to dry out. The mold must be eradicated, then everything must be washed well, dried, and only then sorted out. If possible, swollen dies should be replaced. There are a lot of means to combat mold. At worst, use copper sulfate or Domestos/Beliznoy.

What is the restoration of parquet after flooding?

Exposure to large amounts of water on parquet is considered one of the destructive factors, because wood is a natural material, and moisture almost instantly enters the pores and microcracks. As a result of flooding, the boards not only swell, but also lose their shape and their structure is disrupted. In addition, other problems arise:

If the parquet is flooded, you need to quickly remove the liquid and dry the coating, for example, with a hairdryer.

• blackening of the coating;
• development of fungus and mold;
• formation of cracks, differences or chips;
• warping and swelling;
• change in color of seams and joints.

To avoid having to carry out a major overhaul of the entire floor covering, you should try to remove and saturate all moisture as quickly as possible, using fans, heat guns or any other methods. In this case, the cost of repairing parquet after flooding will directly depend on the wet area, as well as on what kind of base was used to lay the covering.

If local swelling occurs, you can try to dry the area with a regular hairdryer, which will melt the mastic. The appearance of the smell of mastic indicates that you can try to return the parquet to its original place, after which you need to evenly distribute the load not only over the restored area, but also grab at least a meter on each side.

Note! In a situation where minor flooding has occurred, but the water has spread over the entire floor area, everything will depend on the speed of response. If you immediately begin to dry the surface and get rid of moisture, there is a high probability that swelling and re-laying of the floor will be avoided. If the floor was seriously flooded, major repairs cannot be avoided.

The consequence of the flood may be the appearance of mold and mildew, as well as a change in the color of the coating.

If, as a result of flooding and soaking, the planks have become detached from the base, you should immediately prepare to replace the covering with a new one. If individual dies that remain firmly attached to the surface are deformed, you can try to carry out restoration work.

When repairing parquet (consumer reviews contain such information), you can encounter situations where, after pouring, the parquet dries on its own in 3-7 days, takes on its previous appearance, and the planks take their original position. Therefore, you should not immediately begin major repairs. In any case, if you make a complete replacement, it is quite possible to wait a few days.

If the parquet boards have dried well, but still do not take their place or remain swollen, you will need to perform a complete overlap. After replacing the damaged area, the parquet is sanded using a sanding machine, after which the damaged area is sanded and re-varnished. You also need to take into account that even if a little more than 30% of the floor covering has been damaged, experts will still recommend performing a complete covering. In some cases, the cost of repairing parquet per m2 of damaged area may be higher than the cost of laying new parquet per square meter.

The most difficult cases

Sanding old parquet and subsequent varnishing is always quite expensive, because it requires time and labor. However, there are a number of cases when the condition of the coating leaves no other choice.

So, the most labor-intensive restoration of parquet with your own hands will be required in the following cases:

• The parquet floor looks unkempt, trampled, with significant abrasions, gouges, and cracks in the planks. In such a situation, the old parquet can still be preserved, although you will have to work hard. However, we recommend that you entrust the restoration of old parquet in this case to specialists - it’s cheaper and faster.
• Due to water flooding, the parquet covering swelled across the entire floor plane, and in some places the planks became detached from the base. This problem can only be solved by completely replacing the parquet. True, some planks can still be reused after drying. However, sanding and varnishing are necessary.
• The parquet canvas has become loose, the wood has turned black, and when pressed with an awl, it fits into the plank by 5 mm. This indicates that the parquet floor has begun to rot and mold. In this situation, there can be no other options other than a complete replacement of the parquet. In addition, the room needs to be thoroughly dried and the subfloor needs to be updated.

In all other situations, you can safely take on restoring the parquet with your own hands. Such work will not require much skill or time from the owner. Let us note that in case of simultaneous renovations in the apartment, the restoration of the parquet should be undertaken last.

Features of parquet repair without sanding

After laying parquet or parquet boards, scratches are inevitable, because the floor is constantly damaged by shoes, furniture legs, animal claws, as a result of children's games or when heavy objects fall onto the surface. In some cases, you can try to restore the parquet without sanding, using a retouching pencil or putty that matches the color of the main coating. If the area is small, you can do without sanding and using varnish.

If the defect is minor, you can use a special putty or pencil.

Damage and scratches from the boards are removed using cosmetic putty, which is applied using an ordinary thin spatula. Finding the right color is not difficult, because retail establishments offer a wide selection of materials.

On a note! The second name for parquet putty is restoration paste. If you can’t find the desired option on store shelves, you can try making the paste yourself.

To make decorative putty, you need to mix crushed sawdust and epoxy varnish in a ratio of 1:4. After this, the required amount of dye is added to the mixture. The finished paste is applied to the damaged area, which is then treated with fine sandpaper.

Sometimes, after restoring oak parquet, in order to create a complete picture, it will be necessary to imitate joints in some areas using an ordinary awl and a metal ruler. Work should be carried out when the restoration paste is partially dry; it should not be very hard, but it should not stretch. Step-by-step instructions for repairing parquet with your own hands:

Cosmetic putty is applied to the damaged area using a spatula.

1. Using a ruler applied at the end, make a small indentation at the joint.
2. Using an awl, apply the end false joints along the attached ruler.

The final stage of such a restoration is considered to be varnishing the parquet. It is appropriate to use any type of varnish here: alkyd, epoxy, acrylic or water-based. Before using the composition, it is recommended to study the application features specified in the instructions. You also need to take into account that to obtain a perfectly smooth surface you will need to apply at least 2-3 layers of varnish. After the varnish has completely dried, to obtain a better result, it is recommended to rub the surface with mastic, after which the restoration of the old parquet with your own hands without sanding is considered complete.

Materials for restoration

To protect the parquet floor from external influences, it is opened with special varnishes.

There are 4 types of parquet varnishes:

• Alkyd and uralkyd varnishes. They are inexpensive, do not emit toxins, dry very quickly, so you can be indoors within an hour after varnishing. However, such varnish will last no more than 10 years. Uralkyd varnishes are somewhat more durable, although they are more expensive. As a rule, they are used for short-term repairs followed by sanding and varnishing, as well as around the perimeter of the room.
• Based on epoxy resins. Such varnishes provide a durable and reliable coating for 30-40 years, although they are not cheap. As they cure, they release toxic volatile substances, so you should not start working without personal protective equipment (gloves, respirator, goggles). Windows should be open, but the door to adjacent rooms should be tightly closed. It will take about a week for the epoxy varnish to harden and gain density. Only after this can you be in the room.
• Acrylic varnish consists of a base and hardener, which are mixed immediately before application. This composition is practically non-toxic, but much more expensive than epoxy. With proper care, the service life of the coating will be 50 years or more.
• Water based. Rather, it is a finely dispersed suspension of some polymer, for example, PVA, in water. This varnish dries in a day, while it is non-toxic and inexpensive. Provides long-term protection to wood by penetrating deep into its structure. Mastic can be applied over the coating. The treated surface becomes less sensitive to minor mechanical damage. However, such varnishes somewhat change the color of the wood and quickly fade in direct sunlight.

Repair and restoration of parquet: sanding, sanding, how these types of work differ

Sanding is the process of leveling the surface of the floor covering by removing the worn layer from the parquet using a cutting tool. By grinding we mean almost the same process, only in this case the surface layer is removed by using an abrasive material.

Today, the processes are considered almost identical, which is due to the frequent use of machine scraping, which requires the use of an abrasive material. Parquet repair (grinding or sanding) is carried out using various equipment, the selection of which takes into account the following factors:

Using scraping, the top old and damaged layer of the coating is removed.

1. Scale of work. Sanding and restoration of parquet are carried out if it is necessary to process a small area and are mainly carried out using hand tools. If you need to organize work over a large area, it is better to use a grinder.
2. The original state of the parquet before renovation. If the coating is in a disrepair, repairing the floor yourself using hand tools will be quite time-consuming, but a sander will help to significantly reduce not only time, but also labor costs.
3. Performer experience. Parquet repair (scraping) is often performed by people who do not have much experience working with sanding machines. Professional craftsmen rarely use hand tools during the repair process.

On a note! If you want to repair the old parquet flooring in your apartment faster with your own hands, you don’t have to immediately buy a sanding machine, because it is not only expensive, but also quite expensive to maintain. The best option in this case is to rent the device for the duration of the repair work.

For grinding, devices with abrasive materials are used.

Defect Elimination Technology

If you plan to repair the parquet yourself, you will need step-by-step instructions for each type of work. Let's look at ways to eliminate common flooring defects and breakdowns.

Mechanical damage

Cracks are filled with a special compound and rubbed with sandpaper.
During operation, careless handling causes scratches and gouges to form on the coating. The coating can get scratched even if you move a heavy chair without lifting it.

Types of mechanical damage and methods for eliminating them are discussed in the table:

Fill with colored putty. If the color is chosen accurately, the restored areas will be invisible.

The sequence for restoring deep scratches on parquet:

1. We clean the coating from dust using a vacuum cleaner.
2. Fill the crack or scratch with putty.
3. After the putty has dried, sand it down with sandpaper.
4. We remove all dust generated during the grouting process.
5. Apply a thin layer of varnish to a clean, dry surface.

When black marks form, we wipe them with polymer mastic.

Wax putty is applied in molten form, and is preheated with a gas or battery-powered wax melter. To learn how to remove small scratches, watch this video:

You can independently prepare putty from two-component epoxy glue with the addition of sawdust until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

Timely restoration of the coating will help maintain the ideal appearance and integrity of the floor for many years.

Mechanical scraping

After sanding, the parquet is varnished again.
To make the parquet floor shine, it is rubbed with wax-based compounds, mastics, various oils, or varnished.

With careless handling, heavy foot traffic and cleaning using abrasive products, the coating can wear off and lose its shine and color. In case of significant tarnishing of the surface, sanding and sanding are carried out with further coating with a decorative layer.

In case of significant tarnishing of the surface, sanding and sanding are carried out with further coating with a decorative layer.

After rough sanding, go over the surface with fine sandpaper.

Sanding is the removal of the top layer of parquet using a special apparatus with sharp metal knives that remove the decorative coating and the top layer of wood.

Sequence of scraping:

1. We remove the baseboards and remove dust with a vacuum cleaner.
2. We dismantle all protruding fastening materials (screws, nails).
3. We perform rough sanding, which includes removing uneven surfaces and old varnish. This procedure is performed using a surface grinder or drum machine.
4. Use wood putty to seal joints, seams and irregularities.
5. Sanding the parquet floor is done with sandpaper in the direction along the dies. The appearance of the surface will depend on the quality of this stage. We clean all the unevenness of the parquet and the protruding plaster mixture.
6. Vacuum the floor surface.
7. Apply varnish in 3 layers. Apply each subsequent layer after the previous one has dried. Apply the varnish with a roller or wide brush.
8. We install skirting boards. To learn how to achieve high-quality sanding of a parquet floor, watch this video:

To remove the stickiness of the last layer of varnish, after it has completely dried, wipe it with a cloth slightly moistened with soapy water.

Manual scraping

Let's look at how to repair parquet using a manual scraper, which is a tool for restoring the top layer of parquet boards manually.
The device is a plane, the blade of which is bent with a hook. With its help you can restore small areas of the floor.

Manual restoration will take a lot of time, and the result will be worse than using professional equipment.

Imitation of joints

On the puttied surface, you need to create imitation joints between the dies.
To complete this work you will need a metal ruler and a shoe awl. The putty should set well, but still be soft. Many mixtures harden within a minute, so you need to make the joint quickly.

If the joint is smooth, apply a ruler and draw a line with an awl. A curved connection can be formed with the edge of a ruler. If the putty has hardened, you can scratch a line along it under the ruler.

Fighting the squeak

If one die creaks, it may have come off; you just need to put it in place and fix it.

If your entire floor is creaking, you first need to determine why this is happening.

Possible causes of parquet creaking:

What tool is used to restore and repair old parquet: sanding

The main tool for manual scraping is considered to be a scraper, the task of which is to scrape, rather than plan, a wooden covering. The device itself is a simple design and consists of a metal plate sharpened at an angle with a fixed handle.

Main technical characteristics of the device:

1. Blade thickness. It is selected based on the height of the coating, taking into account the applied paint layer. A blade with a thickness of 0.7-0.8 mm is considered optimal; in this case, the size of the peeled layer should not exceed a few millimeters.
2. Blade width. The wider the base, the larger the layer you can remove in one pass. Experts recommend purchasing a tool whose width does not exceed 45 mm; If the blade is wider, the scraper will be difficult to work with.
3. Handle length and material. It is more convenient to control the pressure if the tool has a short handle. Recommended length – 45 mm. The material is chosen based on personal preferences, but still many note that when working with a wooden handle, the hand sweats less than after working with a plastic one.

Manual scraping of parquet is carried out using a special tool - a scraper.
Additionally, for ease of use, many product options are equipped with a pressure handle, which allows you to increase the pressure on the working tool. Separately, we should highlight the figured cycle used in the repair of block parquet to decorate the figured wooden plinth. The estimated cost of the device, depending on the characteristics, varies from 100 to 200 rubles. If a blade breaks during operation, it can be easily replaced by purchasing a new one. At the same time, the price of blades ranges from 30 to 50 rubles.

The main advantages of using cycles:

• low cost of the device;
• the ability to carry out repairs in hard-to-reach places;
• maintaining the appearance of the coating;
• absence of dust during operation.

It should be noted that when repairing artistic parquet, the use of cycles makes it easy to carry out actions, observing the correct direction of the wood fibers.

In addition to the advantages, there are also some disadvantages:

• time-consuming work;
• removing a fairly thick layer of coating;
• the need to exert a large amount of physical effort;
• working in an awkward position.

Work is done much faster and easier using a sanding machine.

Manual parquet renovation

If it is not possible to use a special tool, but the parquet requires restoration, the process can be carried out using hand tools and chemicals.

How sanding is carried out: the cost of repairing old parquet

As for grinding, you can use a variety of abrasives. Sandpaper is considered the simplest. Of course, doing the work manually is quite long and difficult. To speed up the restoration, some people attach sandpaper to the base of the shoe, but this method is not widely used due to the fact that it is difficult to control the work of the legs and maintain the same pressure.

A more advanced repair option is the use of a drum-type sander. The device is mainly used for deep sanding, because coarse abrasive cannot leave behind a perfectly smooth wooden floor. In one pass, the machine removes 1.5-2 mm of coating. To prevent dust generated as a result of removing the coating from spreading throughout the room, the device is additionally equipped with a dust collector. The most popular model of parquet sanding machine is considered to be SO-206, the price of which varies from 56 to 70 thousand rubles.

During the process of both grinding and sanding, scratches may appear when large abrasive grains leave marks. This is especially noticeable on soft types of wood, such as pine. In this case, you can re-grind or cover the damaged areas with restoration paste. After completing all restoration work, you need to apply a protective varnish coating, which not only makes the parquet attractive, but also protects the surface from mechanical damage.

A drum sander is best suited for sanding parquet.

On a note! It is recommended to repeat floor polishing at least once a year. The more layers, the stronger the coating. All work on applying the varnish layer must be carried out in a respirator.

As for the price of restoring old parquet, it directly depends on the original condition of the coating. If the parquet is in satisfactory condition and you only need to go over it with a sander and also restore the varnish layer, then the cost will be about 850 rubles/m². When you want to make the floor covering perfect, you need to carry out a variety of work: sanding and sanding with a drum machine, re-sanding with a surface grinder, tinting and applying varnish. Such work will not cost less than 1250 rubles/m².

Parquet is an expensive floor covering that has long been admired. Even the cheapest parquet option will always look better and last longer than the most expensive laminate. In order not to have to carry out major repairs of parquet, it is recommended to carry out restoration and restoration work from time to time, which can extend the life of the material. Even a simple application of an additional layer of varnish will help refresh the parquet and restore its shine.

Removing old floors: secrets of successful renovation (read more)

Fine sanding of parquet - without using a sanding machine.

It should be understood that no real update to the appearance of your parquet is possible without applying a new layer of varnish over the old varnish coating. However, careless varnishing without preliminary preparation of the floor surface will most likely lead to peeling of the varnish coating - the appearance of your floor will deteriorate so much that it will no longer be possible to do without sanding.

Therefore, before applying a new coat of varnish, it is necessary to prepare the floor surface by lightly sanding the top layer of varnish. Below we show how to do this.

Tools you need

• Manual vibration machine with a round grinding head with a diameter of 125-200 mm;
• perforated grinding wheels of P80-P100 grit (the most popular are yellow wheels from the Jost brand);
• vacuum cleaner;
• mop with a clean rag.

Work technique

Attach an emery wheel with P80 grit to your vibrating machine, and pressing it with a little force, begin to carefully sand the floor surface. Jost abrasive sandpaper is designed for fine sanding of parquet, so as a result you will not damage the varnish film, even if you really want to. Your task is to “matt” the surface of the floor (that is, make the surface matte, deprive it of shine).

As a result of such fine sanding, you can remove a layer of dirt from the old varnish, and also create the prerequisites for the adhesion of the new layer of varnish to the old one. After P80 grit, go over the surface again with abrasive paper with P100 grit - this will be the final sanding before varnishing.

After finishing sanding work, vacuum the floor surface, and then use a damp cloth and mop to remove any remaining micro-dust from the floor. Now everything is ready for varnishing.

It is worth remembering that this technology applies to varnished surfaces. If your parquet is covered with paint or oil, the restoration technology will be different.

Deadline

As a rule, a professional needs 15 minutes for such work for a room of 15 sq.m. In your case, the process may take longer, but it is still a type of work that is usually completed quickly.

When repairs can only be performed by specialists

In some cases, restoring a parquet floor will require the involvement of professionals with experience in this field and professional equipment.

When it is difficult to eliminate defects yourself:

1. Severely worn flooring with deformed boards and cracks can be restored without replacing the entire floor.
2. If, after flooding, the dies are swollen and deformed, they must be removed and dried. Severely deformed elements must be replaced. After laying the floor, the old boards need to be sanded and varnished.
3. The parquet has darkened, its strength has decreased, fungal infections have appeared, the wood can be pierced with an awl to 5 mm. Such a covering will have to be re-laid and the subfloor completely dried.

Related article: The best way to cover paper wallpaper so that it does not get dirty

In other cases, you can perform the restoration yourself.

We check the condition of the board by pricking the dies at an angle of 45 degrees with a shoe awl. With a medium degree of pressure, the awl should pierce the surface of the oak board less than 5 mm; birch, walnut and ash - less than 7 mm.

If the tool goes deeper, then the floor element needs to be replaced.

Painting wooden floors

As long as the floor boards are not rotten, you can choose a more economical solution than replacing parquet with laminate. The cheapest way to update old floors is by painting.

Of course, simply painting the surface one tone is much easier, but if you get creative with the process, you can turn old planks into a spectacular floor using more complex painting techniques.

Editorial “So Simple!” I have prepared 27 creative ideas for you to renovate old floors on a budget. Incredible transformation!

1. Here is an example of the simplest reconstruction method. The old parquet flooring was repainted in a new, more fashionable and refreshing shade of mint color. A layer of varnish was applied on top to protect the surface from mechanical damage.
2. The idea of ​​painted floors can be practical in a narrow hallway. Unlike a regular path, your scenic “path” can be quite light - to “clean” it, you just need to wash the floors.
3. Before work, the floor must be prepared.
   Clean, seal cracks and paint with base paint. Then, using a template made from a piece of linoleum or oilcloth, simply apply an additional pattern with colored paint. You can also brush over this pattern with a darker or lighter paint. This way you can give additional beautiful volume to your painting.
4. And this is an excellent option for remaking an old floor board using the decoupage technique.
   By showing imagination and ingenuity, you can decorate any wood in the house, turning a “gray” ordinary interior into the apartment of an aristocrat of past centuries, a pirate’s lair or the habitat of fairy tale heroes.
5. This option will certainly become an original decoration not only for a private apartment, but also for an office or cafe.
6. Such wooden floors look especially appropriate on a country veranda or terrace.
   Painted “rugs” on the floor allow you to visually zone the space. In addition, this can be an interesting highlight in the design of summer terraces of cafes and restaurants.
7. An original colorful pattern on the floor, invented by you and made with your own hands, is the easiest way to transform your living space into personal space.
8. What do you think of this vintage solution? I think there's something to it, doesn't it?
9. The diamond pattern is one of the most popular floor design motifs.
   It can be contrasting or created by a combination of similar shades, but it should always be well-combined shades of the same color temperature: either warm or cold.
10. By painting or painting the floor, you can effectively and functionally zone the rooms in your apartment.
11. This floor will certainly add originality and style to any room, be it a kitchen or a living room.
12. Using templates will allow you to create a complex ornament using simple means.
    You can make primitive oversized templates yourself from a plastic file, folder or old linoleum. More complex ones are easier to purchase in stores. Even a two-color wooden floor with such an ornament looks beautiful and unusual.
13. How do you like this rosy solution?
14. This is the most complex and beautiful option, requiring certain artistic abilities.
    Painting on a pre-created background will make the floor exclusive. Focusing on the style of the room, you can create an abstract ornament, a floral pattern, an imitation of a carpet or a genre painting on the floor.

EDITORIAL ADVICE

After the original painting of the wooden floor, I highly recommend protecting the surface with varnish. You can choose a matte or glossy option. Among glossy varnishes there are varieties from semi-matte to super-glossy.

The latter are especially suitable for patterns under ceramic tiles, as well as for giving a respectable look to budget floors.

A minimum set of tools and skills, just a little courage and imagination will help you create a beautiful wooden floor in your apartment or country house with your own hands. And the first question you will hear from your guests is: “Wow, how did you do that?”

I hope you are as inspired by these ideas as I am. Creative success, inspiration and beautiful alterations to you!

When can you not do without scraping?

If the parquet is severely damaged, it will not be possible to do without a specialist and professional equipment. Examples of such damage:

• pronounced dents from active use or heavy furniture;
• wavy cracks of planks;
• swelling and swelling of wood from water;
• change in structure and color;
• mold and rot.

In these situations, drying, reassembly, replacement of individual planks, and treatment with special compounds are required. It is necessary to do looping in these cases.

Why is it better to entrust the renovation of old parquet to specialists?

You can restore the parquet yourself. But most property owners prefer to involve specialists, which allows them to get the following advantages:

• Saving personal time and effort. There is no need to do everything yourself, the master will do the job quickly. The freed time can be devoted to loved ones.
• Saving money. When you restore a floor yourself without experience, mistakes are possible. To correct them, you need to purchase materials again, and sometimes pay for the work of other people.
• Optimal choice of materials. The master will calculate exactly how much varnish, paint, and putty is needed. You won't have to buy anything extra. Company representatives can buy and bring everything they need themselves. There is no need to buy tools: the master has everything.
• Guarantee. Our craftsmen provide a guarantee on the results of their work and materials.

Parquet is probably the most “elite” flooring option. It brings beauty and sophistication to any room, and at the same time it is quite strong and durable. Although, over time, parquet still loses some of its attractiveness. This happens in most cases due to improper or untimely maintenance, but mechanical damage to the parquet or defects resulting from exposure to unfavorable external factors (for example, water) cannot be ruled out. Of course, parquet that has lost its attractiveness can be replaced, but since “pleasure is not cheap,” many prefer to restore the old floor covering. The most “radical” way to restore parquet is to sand it, followed by treatment with mastics and varnishes. But often the damage to the parquet is not so significant as to require resorting to such “radical measures.” In these cases, you can restore the beauty of parquet using several quite accessible methods.

But before we get acquainted with them, let's look at “complex cases” in which it is not possible to restore the parquet on your own.

Laying laminate

Once everything is prepared, the base is level and stable, does not creak or wobble, you can begin finishing. This is done simply, especially if the method of adhesion between the parts of the laminate is tongue-and-groove, that is, with a lock without glue. This is a simple and quick installation method that allows you to do it without outside help.

Lay down the underlayment. It is available in rolls or light foam boards. They have the same properties, the difference is in the practical side. Once everything is ready, start assembling. It's worth starting from a corner, but the technique depends on the type chosen. Laminate boards can be mounted parallel, staggered, slightly offset, diagonally, or even herringbone. Panel parquet – only in blocks. During the assembly process, trim the edges with a mounting knife, adjusting them to the wall.

Assembling the drawing step by step, reach the end and trim

It is important to take into account the direction and think through the transitions between rooms so that they are in the same direction

If you are only making an entrance hall or hall, and leaving the corridor in ceramics, then install a threshold that hides the joint.

Some types of laminate require a moisture-repellent impregnation, which is applied upon completion of all work.

Finally, install skirting boards around the perimeter.

Removing scuffs and scratches

You can get rid of small scratches using sandpaper. Thanks to it, a layer of old varnish and a small layer of wood are removed. You need to rub the parquet carefully but firmly, making sure that the same amount of material is removed from the tiles. Otherwise, unevenness will be noticeable. You can use a hand cycle. This is a compact tool that is great for small areas. You can work with it in small rooms, narrow corridors, tight corners.

If during the treatment of the floor there are still traces of scratches on the parquet, leave them. You will then apply putty on them and they will close.

After applying and drying the putty, go over the parquet again with sandpaper to smooth the surface. After this, you need to create the illusion of joints, as if no manipulations were made on the parquet.

For very small scratches, putty is not needed, a wax pencil is enough. It, like putty, comes in different shades. When purchasing, you need to carefully select the color so that the treatment areas do not catch your eye. If the color of the pencil and the parquet differ greatly, then stains may be visible even after varnishing.

Application of decorative coating

Applying varnish or an oil-wax coating not only gives the parquet a beautiful appearance, but is also designed to protect the wooden floor from various types of damage.

At the same time, oil-wax compositions penetrate deep into the structure of the wood, but do not provide the rich shine that varnish provides. In addition, parquet polishing needs periodic updating, which is preferably done every 0.5-1 year. The varnish lasts longer, but it covers the surface of the parquet. In this case, the varnish is applied in several layers. The greater the number of layers, the more durable the coating will be.

Note. Applying a decorative layer requires the use of protective equipment, in particular respiratory protection. Therefore, work should be performed in a respirator and ensure good ventilation of the room.

Cycling - when cannot be avoided and how to do it?

If the coating is so damaged that sanding does not give the desired result, after taking a series of measures to repair the dies and eliminate squeaking problems, it is necessary to move on to complex but effective sanding. Carry out work correctly using special equipment. You can buy it, but it is more economical to rent it. It’s even more convenient to invite an experienced craftsman with his own machine to carry out the scraping.

The simplest option for finishing the floor is using the so-called “manual cycle”. The tool has a simple design, is inexpensive and does not require special skills to operate. Outwardly, it is an ordinary wooden or plastic handle with a blade, with which the surface is processed, distributing the pressing force and controlling the uniformity of movement.

To ensure high-quality scraping, when working with a tool of this kind, they monitor the sharpness of the blade, sharpening it if necessary. They begin work with rough sanding, after which they move on to more delicate processing using sandpaper, replacing it with fine sandpaper at the last stage.

Sanding equipment is not cheap, and you need to know how to use it, so it is best to hire a specialist with his own equipment

Caring for parquet boards

Do you have beautiful parquet flooring in your home? Get ready to take full care of him. If you ignore this question and think that nothing will happen to the parquet, then soon you will notice how it will lose its attractiveness, and the magnificent wood will be replaced by dry, cracked, scratched boards. You don't want to see such a picture, do you? Moreover, you are unlikely to get the organization of such flooring for free. Then you need to familiarize yourself with the basic aspects of caring for a parquet floor, so as not to shed tears later over wasted time and material.

Parquet floors must be protected from scratches in all possible ways.

To ensure that the care of this flooring is as close to correct as possible, you need to do the following:

1. Protect the floor from scratches in every possible way. For example, remove all heavy objects or cover their legs with special attachments.
2. If there is a dog in the house, then after every walk it needs to wash its paws. Don’t forget about constant trimming of nails to prevent damage to the parquet. This protection needs constant monitoring.
3. You should definitely put felt pads on furniture legs. This is especially true for furniture that is frequently moved, such as chairs.
4. At the moment, you can buy a variety of laminate care products in stores, which include protective properties. For example, polish, mastic, polish varnish or anti-slip agent. By using these products you can achieve the shine of your parquet. In addition, a special protective film is formed on it, which will prevent scratches. Therefore, cleaning the surface with water is a thing of the past and has been replaced by special treatment.
5. If we talk about shoes, it is better to use soft slippers. It is absolutely unacceptable to walk in shoes with heels, as this will lead to chips and scratches on the material.

And lastly, if you decide to refresh the appearance of your parquet and cover your parquet with varnish oil and wait until it dries, you should not immediately install the furniture, because this will create new dents that will have to be covered in the future. It's better to wait a few weeks. Well, if you can’t wait, the installation must be carried out as carefully as possible so as not to scratch or dent the fresh coating. It is better to temporarily put down fiberboard or corrugated cardboard. This will help reduce the risk of damage.

Blistering

The absence of temperature compensation gaps can cause a violation of the level of the entire parquet flooring. Externally, this manifests itself in the occurrence of the following defects: bulging of individual strips, the appearance of irregularities. One of the best ways to solve this problem is to dismantle the outer rows of dies.

If necessary, their end faces are ground down to the required size. As a result, a free space of up to 5 mm thick should form between the wall and the parquet flooring. It is filled with a flexible seal - foamed polyethylene or tubular rubber. Next, the dies are reinstalled.

This method will ensure the proper level of pressure on the parquet flooring elements. With the thermal expansion of wood, the linear expansion of the dimensions of the parquet will be compensated by the damper gasket.