Does any budding D.I.Y.ers or joiners have any tips on how to fill in the gaps between the floor boards in order to seal in the heat before i stain and varnish them ? Something quick and relatively easy would be appreciated .
2006-12-09 22:51:00 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Be careful about filling the cracks. Temperature and humidity changes cause floor boards to expand and contract. There has to be some space for that or your floors could buckle.
If you are certain that expansion has been compansated for, there are fillers you can buy in woodworking shops. They come in large cans and are semi liquid paste like substances that are easily spread to fill small cracks, holes and pits in wood. It may take a couple applications to get it level before you sand it smooth.
2006-12-09 23:03:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't exactly get the "seal in the heat" issue. Are the floorboards over underlayment of some sort? Or are they laid over floor joists without any underlayment? If there is no underlayment, the edges of the boards will sissor against each other and you would need something flexible or it will crack. A floor like that will be next to impossible to "seal". If you used tongue and groove flooring, you are in better shape, but it's still not a good way to go.
But I'll assume there is some kind of sub-floor.
The standard way to fill the gaps between the boards is to take the dust from sanding the wood, mix it with the varnish you plan to use to make a paste, and spread it on the floorboards with a flexible trowel (a squeegee) forcing it into the cracks. Large cracks can be filled with strips of cork that are pounded into the cracks and trimmed flush with the floor.
Wood expands and contracts, and you have to plan on that. If it can't expand, it will buckle.
2006-12-09 23:08:54 · answer #2 · answered by roadlessgraveled 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Mimi; OK it depends on how big the gaps in the floor are (can you see right through them) if there to big you might have a problem filling them many of my customers have had the same problem and i have advised them to lay a new floor over the old one this obviously solves the problem a treat and they get a nice new floor in the process(depends on what look your after) if on the other hand your after the "rustic look" using the old floor boards is a good option.first you should sand the floor to get rid of any old varnish or floor finishing's also you can sand the humps and bumbs out of the floor (handy for your furniture to sit Leval) also the sawdust you collect from the sanding process you can use to fill those nasty gaps its quite simple really just mix the sawdust and a clear varnish together until you get a nice paste like mixture then use this mixture to fill your gaps this way the gaps you fill will be the same colour as the original floor :) usually you spread this mixture over the entire floor then sand the floor again before you put your final finish on the floor.
There is a set process for sanding a floor (but that's not what your asking for) hey i hope this helps,good luck :) :)
2006-12-12 08:08:27 · answer #3 · answered by Chirpy chippy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Filling in the cracks may sound good, but with wood you have an issue with expansion with heat and contraction with coolness. Filling the cracks if less then 1/16" you board will push against your walls.Something will let go, either the wall or the hardwood floor.
The best think that you can do, if you can get under that floor, eg. Under the house is to lay a heave gage of construction plastic down. If you have a basement, then tack up a heave gage construction plastic up to the joists.
You can still varnish as normal.It may act like a glue, but it will allow the wood to still move and breathe.
2006-12-10 04:53:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Papier mache. Tear up old newspapers and soak them in water for an hour or so. (Wear rubber gloves, the next bit's messy) Then pour away the water and wring out the paper. It will make a putty-like grey mess that you can force between the floorboards with a small filling knife. Leave a bit sticking out because is shrinks when it dries. Once it's thoroughly dry, sand off any surplus and it can be varnished or painted and will last as long as the floorboards.
2006-12-09 22:56:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-03-29 01:49:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
MOORGLADE has the best answer,short of lifting the boards denailing,and refit using a joist clamp,which would be the proper way.It would not be quick/easy but costwise doing it youself cheap.you still should belt sand for a decent stain/varnish finish.
2006-12-11 12:14:21 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gaps in floor boards are tricky. for heat lift 1 or 2 boards and lay loft insulation parallel to joists(make sure their is no 12v lamps in the ceiling below as this may cause a fire risk)
2006-12-09 23:02:37 · answer #8 · answered by New Age Pirate 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a good quality caulk would probably be ur best bet , you can get caulk in different collars that you can match your floor or wall. try to get a water clean up type it will be easier to clean if you get sloppy. if you have gaps on the exterior of the building then you need to use a type of caulking that is rated for the type of material on the buildings exterior. sometimes the crack or gap is to large for caulk then an foam rope gasket or spray urethane foam insulation would be your best bet. good luck and Merry Christmas
2006-12-09 23:26:12 · answer #9 · answered by Larry 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the under floor space needs to have a flow of air through it to stop damp / rot. Sealing up the gaps may block this
2006-12-09 23:00:52 · answer #10 · answered by cool_clearwater 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋