Hardwood Floor Repair

For a single split board in a hidden spot — maybe. For any visible repair (kitchen, entryway, living room) or anything involving water damage, it's almost always a mistake. Splicing a fresh board into an aged floor requires colour matching, precise tongue-and-groove cutting, and localized sanding that blends with the rest of the floor. A DIY splice visible from 3 metres looks like a bandage. For water damage, without a moisture meter you can't measure subfloor moisture content — repairing too early locks moisture in and swells the new board within two months.

Three things stack: (1) finding a board of the same species and same aged-tone as the original — wood patinas, new boards are paler; (2) cutting tongue-and-groove so the new board interlocks without forcing; (3) sanding the repair to exactly the same level as the surrounding floor without dishing. Without practice, all three failure modes compound into a visible patch that drags the home's resale value.

Depends on subfloor moisture content. Under 12% MC, it's cosmetic only — sand and refinish. 12–18% MC, dehumidify 7–14 days first. Above 18% MC, open the subfloor and inspect for mould. JA Planchers brings a moisture meter to every on-site visit (free) and gives the honest recommendation — repair vs refinish vs replace.

Repair cost depends on how many boards need replacing, whether the stain needs matching, and whether the work is localized or includes a full-floor sand. For extensive damage we usually combine the repair with a full-floor sand so the repaired zone blends invisibly. We measure on site for free and give a fixed-price quote within 24 hours.