5 Easy to follow steps to replace floorboards

Replacing and fixing damaged floorboards by yourself will save you money compared to hiring a contractor or eventually having to replace the entire floor. These simple steps will give you the confidence to do it on your own.

• Claw hammer
• Steel bolster (a chisel with a wide blade)
• Scrap wood battens
• New floorboard
• Nails
• Stain or varnish

1. Lift the damaged board. Take a hammer and a steel bolster. Tap the bolster into the gap at the end of the board and lever up the board a little, so that the nearest nails are partly pulled out. Then ease the nails out with the claw hammer.
2. Lift the board again and slip battens (strips) of scrap wood underneath to hold it up while you free the nails until the board itself comes free.
3. If the damage is superficial (a burn or a bad dent) it may be enough just to turn the floorboard over and nail it back down. If your board needs replacing, make sure you get one that is the same width and thickness.
4. Slot the new board into place and nail it down, using the old nails if they are good enough.
5. Stain or varnish the new board so that it looks the same as the rest of the floor.

These steps will keep your floor looking new and constant maintenance will make your flooring last much longer.