REPAIRING DAMAGED WOODEN FLOORS

1. Rotted or damaged section requires replacement. Process involves several step. Frist, cut length of flooring to size of piece to be removed. Bevel one end of replacement piece at a 45 angle.
2. Mark lenght of replacement piece on section to be removed. Using large bit, cut hold in each corner of section rigth up to edge of board and marked line. Do not cut into subfloor.
3. Split damaged piece end to end between holes along grain.Use a sharp 1" chisel and hammer or mallet.Be careful not to damage tongue and groove of adjoining piece.
4. undercut the remaining piece of the damage board at a 45 angle. The beveled end of the replacement board will fit snugly under it and make a smooth, tight joint.
5. Plane off underside of groove on replacement piece so it can be fitted over the tongue of the adjioning board. If not cut away, replacement board can't be fitted.
6. Insert beveled end of replacement under beveled end of old section, then press into place carefully, Tap down, using a block to avoid marking new piece.
7. Drill at least 4 pilot holes for screw nails or finishing nails. Without pilot holes, flooring would be split. Use drill slightly smaller then nail size. DO not drill in center.
8. Drive in finishing or screw nails, then countersink heads. If replacement board is thicker then old flooring, plane or sand down flush with rest of floor.
9. If new  piece is lighter, or of a different grain, you may make it match by darkening with stain, orange shellac, or crayon rubbed in with alcohol.