Board Replacement
Isolated boards can be replaced should they become damaged. This task is usually completed by a professional installer and takes approximately 2 hours per board.
The process of replacing a board involves the following steps.
Acclimatise the New Board
The new board needs to be stored in the room in which it is to be installed for a period of 2 to 3 weeks prior to the replacement taking place. This will ensure that by acclimatising the new board to its new environment, it will approximate the size of the boards already installed.
Prepare the New Board
Preparing the new board involves removing the bottom of the groove (as seen in the image) from both short and long edges of the board. This should be done using a table saw with the blade depth set low so that only the bottom of the groove is removed.
Remove the Damaged Board
- To remove the damaged board, draw a visible line approximately 20mm inside the edge of the board.
- Using a circular saw with the blade depth set to 14mm, carefully cut along the line drawn.
- Remove the middle of the board that you have just cut out, leaving another 20mm of the existing board still to be removed.
- Carefully cut or chisel to the corners of the board. Using a sharp chisel and a steel hammer, strike the edges of the board, starting on a long join, with sharp blows until the glue bond is broken.
- Using the chisel and hammer, remove the remaining sections of the damaged board.
Prepare the Existing Board
The old adhesive needs to be sanded out of the groove and from around the tongue of the boards already installed to make way for the new board and adhesive. This should be done carefully with a fine sandpaper.
You should now be ready to install the new board.
Fitting the New Board
- Carefully apply a generous bead of adhesive to the groove and the top of the tongues of the boards already installed.
- Apply additional adhesive to the bottom of the groove of the new board. Using a timber tapping block and claw hammer, gently knock the new board into place, attempting to knock the new tongue/tongue intersection into the existing groove/ groove intersection.
- By tapping gently at the ends and sides of the board, you will be able to knock the board into place. Using a cloth under the hammer is advisable while tapping to minimise the risk of scratching the existing floor throughout the process.
- Apply a heavy weight to the new board so that it sits flat and level with the existing floor.
- Remove the weight after 3 hours, at which point the adhesive will be dry and your board replacement will be complete.
