Home health check
Combining the beauty of timber with the patina of age, original wooden floors are a very visible feature of old houses, so deserve careful attention
Expert Roger Hunt advises on repairing wooden floors
Caring for the surface of wooden floorboards is vital, but what goes on beneath them is equally important. Most timber ground floors are suspended, the boards nailed to timber joists that rest on brick-built ‘sleeper walls’. These include a damp-proof course and raise the timber elements off the soil. Air vents set into the building’s external walls provide cross ventilation to the space under the floor, preventing moisture damaging the wood. Upper floors are supported on joists spanning between the walls.
Repairing and overhauling
Early floorboards were wide and had straight edges. Later the edges were tongue-and-groove so they could slot together, helping to prevent draughts.
Although wooden floors have a relatively simple construction they are still vulnerable, particularly where damp problems occur which have the potential to cause rot or beetle infestation. Regular maintenance is vital and repairs must be carried out using appropriate techniques and materials. Floorboards should never be lifted unless absolutely necessary. Where this is unavoidable or repairs are needed, the work is best done by a skilled carpenter.
Surface care
Floorboards take a lot of abuse, especially when they are in hallways or other well-used areas. Moisture, grit and debris brought in from outside will quickly cause damage, so entrance mats are vital and regular sweeping or vacuuming of the floor is essential. Try to avoid swabbing with water, as this may lift the grain of the wood, and never scrub. If required, the timber may be finished with hard wax oils or beeswax – a traditional finish. Think carefully before sanding boards as this will destroy any surface patina and may reveal woodworm damage just below the timber’s surface.
Floorboard repairs
Old floorboards are an irreplaceable part of the history and character of a house and can rarely be matched so, wherever possible, always try to repair rather than replace them. Damaged sections ➤