Common Hardwood Parquet Flooring Problems and How to Fix Them

Hardwood parquet floorings are special, vintage touches to any residential home. While not many new households boast intricate hardwood parquet, old, traditional homes are where they’re often at. But with timeworn houses come damage and repairs, including their prized, statement-grabbing, centuries-old parquet floorboards. Restoring them to their former glory and beauty is not an easy and affordable task. But it’s something worth doing. Check out this guide below to find out the common hardwood parquet flooring problems and how you can fix them.

Missing Hardwood Parquet Blocks

Missing parquet blocks can happen due to several reasons. Some individual sections of your hardwood parquet floorings are gone because of previous electrical or plumbing work, removed walls or fireplace hearth, and even water damage that has left them beyond repair. These instances make them the most common problems that hardwood parquet flooring owners have during restoration projects.

With missing hardwood parquet blocks, the best way of repairing them is through replacements. But many homeowners have concerns about replacing them. Hardwood parquet floorings are old, and finding a matching piece from new hardwood blocks is difficult, unlike other hardwood flooring types. In addition, it takes skill and experience to mix and match stains and finishes to get the same hue as the old blocks.

The safest way to replace missing blocks is to find reclaimed hardwood blocks that match the originals. They can work well so long as they have the same size and thickness. Remodelers can fix them to the subfloor with construction glue.

When a section of parquet blocks uses concrete to patch up missing hardwood parts, remove the concrete and fill the space with a matching reclaimed hardwood block. Although DIY remodelers with enough experience can do this, it’s best to call professionals to do the removal to avoid ruining the rest of your hardwood floor.

Wide Gaps in Hardwood Parquet Strips

Gapping parquet blocks or strips are another set of problems that homeowners deal with in hardwood parquet flooring. When families use central heating in old homes, the change in indoor temperature can cause the old flooring to expand and contract.

In addition, they’re also a result of wear and tear over time. Besides that, water seepage from wide gaps in the hardwood parquet flooring can also be the cause. Small gapping between floorboards is normal, but large ones are massive concerns that need immediate filling, especially on wooden floors using parquetry.

The quick solution for this issue is to fill the wide gaps with a mixture of fine dust and resin fillers or cellulose hardeners. You can get the wood dust after sanding your floors and mixing them with the resin into a paste. After incorporating the materials, trowel and push some of the stuff into the gaps. Clean any excess fillers and lightly sand the surface after it dries.

Loose Hardwood Parquet Blocks

Loose hardwood parquet blocks are the result of several factors. They can be from water damage, unstable subfloors, and aged bitumen adhesives. When either instance happens, homeowners should prepare their hardwood parquet flooring for restoration and repair.

Most remodelers fix this parquetry issue by removing the affected blocks. Once they get the loose hardwoods off the space, they clean the old adhesive off the area. After cleaning and fixing the hardwood strips back in place, they apply new flexible floor adhesives and let it dry.

But when the subfloor is the cause of the problem due to uneven layering or tectonic movement, it’s best to hire professional hardwood installers. By doing this, you get a thorough assessment of the issue and the best solution for the damage.

Uneven Hardwood Parquet Floors

While this problem isn’t as common as the previous ones on this list, uneven hardwood parquet floorings are crucial concerns that require your immediate attention. The lifted blocks that turn some areas of the floors bumpy are safety hazards that can cause accidents.

There are numerous causes of uneven parquet floors, like damaged subfloors due to structural movements and flooding. These can be the aftermath of several hurricanes or earthquakes.

The only solution to this problem is restoring your hardwood parquet flooring immediately. Lift out the block from the affected areas of your hardwood parquet floors and repair the subfloor. Putting numbers on the hardwood you remove can help when you put them back after.

The approach will be different if large subfloor sections require leveling. It’s necessary to lift most, if not all, of your parquet flooring. Doing this will ensure that none of your hardwood blocks get damaged during the repair. In addition, you should have a professional handle this part to avoid more problems.

Fixing Hardwood Parquet Flooring in Homes in Austin, TX

Hardwood parquet floorings are unique in their well-aged, historical way. They add more drama and create a story about your home. Keeping them in peak condition is essential to enjoy their benefits and the safety of everyone living in the house. Knowing the common hardwood parquet flooring problems and how to fix them can help homeowners tremendously.

Visit Kelly Hardwood Floors today for more details on hardwood floors in Austin, TX.