Contractor Julie Daniels repairs wood flooring often, especially in Florida where it's not really a matter of if but rather when termites become an issue.
"They eat right through from the bottom up," Daniels said.
Some times the damage is too severe for a patch and the entire piece of flooring has to be replaced. If the damage is minor, consider patching the hole.
Plastic wood, or wood filler, can be used to fill the damaged spot. It dries fast, even faster if you use a hair dryer, and then can be sanded down. It comes in a variety of colors so you can try to match it up with the color of your hardwood floor.
Use a putty knife, place the filler on the middle of the knife so when you spread it over the damaged spot you don't get any unnecessary lines.
"You can use a damp cloth to wipe away an excess," Daniels said.
After the excess is wiped away, let the filler dry, then sand it to smooth over the area.
Items you’ll need: Wood filler, putty knife, damp cloth.
Have questions? Email James Tully: James.Tully@wfts.com
