If you have old, creaky parquet flooring in your home that has long lost its shine, the question is always what to do – repair it or install new flooring? Is it worth filling gaps, sanding, and varnishing? Does it yield good results and how is it done? Is the cost of repairing old parquet more cost-effective than installing new parquet?
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A parquet floor in catastrophic condition is usually noticed when the apartment is being painted. Furniture and carpets are moved, and when the walls sparkle with new paint and all the mess is cleaned up, the old parquet looks even older and in worse condition. Of course, the parquet’s age can also be noticed by the creaking and tapping underfoot.
Quick Solution: Installing Laminate Over Parquet
One of the simplest options is to install laminate flooring over the existing parquet. This solution is quick and easy, although not nearly as high-quality as installing new parquet. However, sometimes it may be cheaper and nicer to give new life to old parquet.
Major Issues with Loose Parquet
The biggest problem is if the parquet is loose and has detached from the subfloor in a larger part of the apartment. In that case, the best solution is usually to remove the old parquet, repair the concrete subfloor if necessary, and install new parquet. Extracting individual parquet slats and gluing them with silicone, which people often do, is not recommended by experts as it does not provide a permanent solution.
How to Repair Shrunken Parquet
Repair is possible and worthwhile if the parquet has shrunk, the slats have separated, the varnish is worn out, but the parquet has not detached from the floor and become loose. A good craftsman will best handle the repair, which is not overly expensive, but it’s a job you can also do yourself. It requires a bit of tools, some skill, and a lot of good will.
Steps for Repairing Shrunken Parquet
- Filling Gaps:
- If the gap between the parquet slats is less than 0,1 inch (2.5 millimeters), then the space between is filled with parquet filler.
- If the gap is larger, filling with filler is not worth it, as it will eventually start to detach, crack, and fall out, similar to grout in old ceramic tiles.
- Using Wooden Strips (Shims):
- When gaps are larger, thin wooden strips (shims) are used. You can find various shapes at lumber yards, and besides different widths, you should also pay attention to the wood shade to blend in well.
- The strips are coated with wood glue before being hammered in.
- Excess sticking out is cut off, and once the glue dries as prescribed, the surface is sanded.
Sanding Parquet: A Job for Professionals
Sanding is often the biggest obstacle to DIY parquet repair. Professional sanding machines are very expensive, powerful and heavy for a reason. Parquet is made from hard wood (beech or oak), so a lot of power is needed to properly sand such a surface.
It is especially complicated if the parquet is scratched and deep damage needs to be removed. This job is hard to do with hobby tools and requires more time, but it is possible. The results, although not at a professional level, are often very satisfying. Especially when the parquet is varnished, the difference from the state before the work will be huge.
Addressing Water-Damaged Parquet
One common issue is parquet lifting due to moisture. This usually happens if water spills, such as from a leaking radiator or a valve in the plumbing system. If the parquet has detached from the floor and lifted in the middle of the room, the only solution is usually replacement.
However, a temporary fix can be cutting the parquet with a circular saw at the spot where the crack appears. The parquet lifts because the wood expands due to moisture, and the parquet has nowhere to go but up. By cutting a gap, the parquet will have space to expand and lay back down.
This cut should be made in an inconspicuous place, such as where a rug will cover it. This is a temporary fix, and the situation should be monitored. It is not uncommon for parquet to remain in place after such an intervention and be used for another twenty years!
If the parquet hasn’t lifted in the middle of the room, it can be cut along the edge of the wall. The baseboard along the wall should be removed. Parquet is always installed with space between it and the wall, allowing it to expand and “breathe.” If the parquet has lifted because it has expanded and reached the wall, half a centimeter should be cut off along the wall’s edge, allowing the parquet to expand and settle back down.
Repairing Deep Scratches in Parquet
Sometimes the problem is deep scratches in a new parquet, usually caused by careless and unprofessional moving of heavy furniture. In this case, sanding the entire room isn’t worth it. Repair putty for wood can save the day.
The area around the damage is protected with adhesive tape, the same type used to protect woodwork during painting. After applying the tape, putty is applied and smoothed with a spatula, and the excess is removed, and the surface is leveled. Once the putty hardens, the surface is smoothed with fine sandpaper (grit 180 or 220) and a layer of varnish is applied. Just be sure to match the finish (glossy or matte) to the rest of the floor.
Photo: Freepik