skip to main content

Bad Floor Job - How do we fix??

2 years ago

We had our floors redone. New wood installed and stained. In our new kitchen. 2 month project which is turning into 6. A nightmare.

I please need your advice -

There are 2 spots in the floors where the guy used putty. They are very visible, high-trafficked areas. Very disappointed in the quality.

Our contractor said that they could essentially punch holes in the floor and plug them. I want them to remove the boards and replace them. I know that the boards were glued, so I am not sure how easily that can be done.

What is standard practice for solving for this? Should I insist that the boards are removed?

Featured Answer

Timothy Winzell

2 years ago

In the grand scheme of things this is incredibly minor. One need only read a couple pages of posts here to encounter people with really significant intractable problems, that often require complete floor replacement. After 35+ years doing wood floors I've seen my share of people unhappy with an issue, who want to do something foolish to fix a minor problem. I'm not shy about speaking up in these situations so that I can at least be on record if they force us to do something foolish.

I would not try to put in a plug. It would have to be finished to match the surrounding floor and almost certainly would be more noticeable, even if it turned out as well as could be expected. Your claim that these boards shouldn't have been installed might seem valid if you're inexperienced. Most issues like this aren't apparent upon installation.

Keep in mind that floors are done by humans, and exactly like you, they are imperfect. If you get a floor job that's 95% perfect, you're doing quite well.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
You can remove the filler and use colored wax sticks to blend it in better. Otherwise, replacing the boards will be best.
HU-914382191 thanked G & S Floor Service
Kate
2 years ago
Replace the boards. Those putty sticks are only good for the tiniest scratches.
Related Discussions
Can I fix Bad Sealer job on Travertine???
Q
Comments (1)
Can you not go back to the dealer who sold you the floors and explain the problem? Anyone selling Travertine should have the answers your looking for. (unless its Lowes, HomeDepot or some discount yard) I certainly wouldn't want to take the advice of a "self-made internet expert". You need someone who is experienced with Travertine and can come to your home.
...See More
Fixing a bad paint job in old house
Q
Comments (4)
Those look like plaster cracks, not paint cracks (especially the last one). Latex goes over oil just fine with proper prep. The first step is a thorough cleaning. Washing before painting walls seems to have become to 'old fashioned.' It actually works. Even with primers designed to stick better.
...See More
How do I fix this bad grout job?
Q
Comments (4)
Well, unfortunately, homeowners don't KNOW their tile person is inadequate (especially when there has been a credible referral) until the bad deed is done. It's too bad he's been paid, but that's also done. I'd probably have him back to see what he suggests (for no more $) then take lots of pictures and sue him in small claims court. If you don't give him the opportunity to fix it, it could affect your ability to get $$ in court, but if you are dissatisfied with what he says his "fix" would be, or if he refuses, then you could be covered because he doesn't know what the heck he is doing. Find someone better, get it fixed right, then take more pics for court as a "before" and "after".
...See More
Bad concrete job, can this be fixed?
Q
Comments (8)
We bought a house with exposed aggregate front porch and patio below it. I dont know how many years it had been there before we bought the house, but, we lived there 28 yrs, and the porch and patio looked as good when we sold it, as it did when we bought it. It looked nothing like yours, so to me, yours looks like a complete redo.
...See More
Timothy Winzell
2 years ago
Replacing the boards is an amazingly poor idea, considering the extremely minor nature of your issue and the ease of fixing it properly. The putty could be removed and refilled with the proper color, removed and hot waxed or simply faux painted. This looks like a site finished floor. Removing finished boards and installing new unfinished boards, how's that going to go? Would these boards be sanded and finished in place in an attempt to match them to the rest of the floor? Good luck. The resulting issue would be FAR LARGER than two small spots of mismatched putty and you'd be rightfully kicking yourself. Or are you going to refinish the whole floor?

I'd be more concerned about losing tongues and grooves from replacing boards that now mesh with the surrounding boards than with two easily fixed spots.

You obviously haven't thought this through.
HU-914382191 thanked Timothy Winzell
HU-914382191
Original Author
2 years ago
@Timothy Winzell I know what you mean in the grand scheme of floor issues, but I definitely don't consider it minor. These are brand new hardware floors. Not finished, installed. Those pieces shouldn't have been used. We paid a fortune, and those are two highly visible and trafficked boards.

I wasn't aware that putty came in different colors, so that's good to know.

I do agree that removing the boards could create a bigger problem. And yes the idea would be to sand and match. Disaster maybe?

What about cutting and plugging the area? Is that standard practice? Better or worse than putty?
HU-914382191
Original Author
2 years ago
@G & S Floor Service - As timothy pointed out, won't trying to replace those floors create a bigger problem of trying to them sand and match boards from brand new floors / installation? I don't want to create a bigger problem.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
Yes, it will. thats why i mentioned wax sticks. you can mix colors and texture for a better match. replacing is last resort.
Timothy Winzell
2 years ago
Instead of having the floor contractor back you might try to engage a furniture repair contractor. They would have the wax sticks mentioned above, often called shellac sticks or burn in sticks. Not all floor contractors have the equipment or experience with them, but furniture repairers should. One of my guys does this and he has fixed some issues quite easily that would have been a challenge otherwise.

https://www.amazon.com/Mohawk-Quick-Fill-Burn-Stick/dp/B00BOU627U

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Your Floor: An Introduction to Solid-Plank Wood Floors

Get the Pros and Cons of Oak, Ash, Pine, Maple and Solid Bamboo

DECORATING GUIDES Quick Fix: Multipurpose Painter's Tape

By Vanessa Brunner

Five creative uses beyond a paint job for those favorite blue rolls

REMODELING GUIDES 7 Bad Things Your Home May Be Hiding

By Ventana Construction LLC

What you don't know about your home could cost you during a remodel. Here's what to plan for

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Home Fixes That Require a Pro

By Lisa Frederick

With some home improvements, your best tool might be the phone. Here are some areas in which it pays to make the call

KITCHEN DESIGN 6 Kitchen Fixes for Nomads

By KitchenLab Interiors

Renting? Some Affordable Ways to Make That Kitchen Feel Like Your Own

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Identify and Fix Plumbing Issues

By Mitchell Parker

Whether minor drips or major leaks, when water starts flowing, it’s time to call in a pro

REMODELING GUIDES Your Floor: How to Find Right Stone Tile

Get the Pros and Cons of Slate, Travertine, Sandstone, Marble and Granite

LATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS How to Walk Your Subs Through the Job Site

By Peter Feinmann

Design-build firm owner Peter Feinmann tells how builders can work with subcontractors to save time and boost profits

0

LIVING ROOMS Lay Out Your Living Room: Floor Plan Ideas for Rooms Small to Large

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Take the guesswork — and backbreaking experimenting — out of furniture arranging with these living room layout concepts

BATHROOM TILE Quick Fix: Repair Cracked Bathroom Grout

Banish an eyesore and safeguard your bathroom from water damage in 30 minutes or less with this DIY repair

Sponsored

WhislerHome Improvement

9 Reviews

Franklin County's Committed Home Improvement Professionals

More Discussions

Stair help-refinish?

6

minimizing VOCs from LVP flooring

1

0

where to go to buy single full planks of a floor?

1

What type of oak is this?

1