How to Replace Damaged Tongue and Groove Boards

  • 2-8 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50-200
What You'll Need
Replacement Board
Stain
Polyurethane
Rag
Sander
Chisel
Circular saw
Rubber Mallet
Electric drill
Nail gun
What You'll Need
Replacement Board
Stain
Polyurethane
Rag
Sander
Chisel
Circular saw
Rubber Mallet
Electric drill
Nail gun

If you have tongue and groove boards on your floor, there is a chance that you will need to repair them at some point. If one of them is damaged, you will need to remove it and put a new one in its place. Here are the basics of how to replace damaged tongue and groove boards.

Step 1 - Drill Holes in the Board

You should start out by using an electric drill to drill some holes near the ends of the board. This will provide you with a way to get down into the end of the board when prying it out.

Step 2 - Cut the Board

Take a circular saw and make sure that it is set to the exact depth of the board. Take the saw and cut along the length of the board on both sides. This will allow you to cut down through the tongues on each side of the board.

Step 3 - Pry Out the Board

After you have cut along the edge of the board, you will need to remove it from the floor. Take a chisel and hammer it down into the holes that you drilled earlier. This will break into the board and allow you to pry from the end. You will most likely need to pry from the sides of the board as well.

Use a rubber mallet to get the chisel down below the surface of the board. After you have removed the board from the floor, carefully clean out the space underneath it and prepare it for a new board.

Step 4 - Cut the Tongue

After you have prepared the space, you need to install a replacement board. In order to do this, you will need to remove the tongue from the board. Lay the board on the ground and use your circular saw to cut the tongue off of it. This will allow you to put the board down into the hole in the floor.

Step 5 - Install the New Board

Take the board and put it down into the hole. You will most likely need to use a rubber mallet in order to tap it down into the hole. Using a rubber mallet will help you prevent damage to the new board and the surrounding boards. After the board is in place, you will need to use a flooring nail gun to shoot nails diagonally through the board.

Step 6 - Sand the Floor

After the new board is in place, you will need to sand the entire floor so that it will be uniform. Use a sander in the room in which you are working. You should then thoroughly clean out the sawdust from the room.

Step 7 - Stain the Floor

You will then need to apply stain to the entire surface of the floor. After you have applied a coat of stain, you will want to allow plenty of time for it to dry.

Step 8 - Seal the Floor

You should then apply a coat of polyurethane sealer to the floor. After it dries, apply a second coat and allow to dry before using the floor.