Irrespective of what sort of flooring you have, a leak can be a complete nightmare, but with wooden flooring you need to be particularly careful not to cause irreparable damage when tackling an underlying leak. In order to outline the best possible course of action, we’ll explain here how to remove boards, how to put them back in place and what you can do to avoid problems in the future.
Removing boards in order to access your leak
Clearly if there is water flowing all over your room, the quickest course of action is likely to be the best. In this case, all you can do is to try as accurately as possible to locate the source of the leak and remove the closest boards with as little damage as possible. That said, if you’ve managed to isolate the leak, switch the water off and you have time on your hands, then either you, or your plumber will be able to calmly and with minimal damage, remove the boards necessary to carry out the repair. Here’s what you need to do:
Aim to remove one board at a time. Do this by marking out a rectangle along the length and breadth of the board, about 1.25cm in from the edge. Once you’ve done this, you should cut around the rectangle using a circular saw and remove that rectangle from the board. This will allow you to prize out the edges of the board in order to gain access to the leak.
Replacing the missing board or boards
When you have repaired the leak, you’ll need to replace the missing board. Ideally when you laid your floor, you’ll have stored a few extra boards aside for emergencies like this, but if not, take the board you’ve removed to either your own, or a trusted flooring supplier and they’ll give you as close a match as possible.
If you are replacing a plane-edged board, you need to cut the board to size and screw it into place. With a tongue and groove board, you’ll need to remove the tongue and fix the board into place. It is important when you’re fixing your new board into place that you make sure you don’t cause damage to plumbing with either screws or nails.
When your new board is in place, you’ll likely need to finish it to match the rest of your floor. Although initially, it might look very different to the other boards, in a bit of time, you’ll be surprised at how well it blends in.
Avoiding problems in the future
If you are laying a new wood floor, particularly in a bathroom or kitchen, it’s a good idea to leave access points in the flooring where you know there is an abundance of plumbing.
Making sure you have a way of switching off water above floor level will buy you time in an emergency. By installing an isolation tap above floor level, you will have time to remove floor boards calmly in order to fix leaks.
Make sure you have your appliances and your plumbing checked on a regular basis. While this won’t stop random leaks but it will reduce the risk of problems.
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FAQ
How can I effectively remove boards from my wooden flooring to access a leak?
The process involves removing one board at a time. Mark a rectangle along the length and breadth of the board, about 1.25cm in from the edge. Using a circular saw, cut around the rectangle and remove it from the board. This allows you to prize out the edges of the board for accessing the leak.
How can I replace the removed boards after fixing the leak?
After the leak repair, the removed board needs to be replaced. If you have spare boards from when you laid your floor, use them. If not, you could take the removed board to a flooring supplier for a close match. For a plane-edged board, cut the board to size and screw it into place. With a tongue and groove board, remove the tongue and fix the board into place.
How can I ensure the replaced board matches the rest of my floor?
After placing the new board, it may require some finishing to match the rest of your floor. Over time, the new board should blend well with the rest of the floor.
How can I prevent future damage to my wooden flooring from leaks?
If you’re laying a new wood floor, especially in a bathroom or kitchen, it’s a good idea to leave access points in the flooring where there’s an abundance of plumbing. Regular appliance and plumbing checks can also reduce the risk of leaks.
What precautions can I take during emergencies involving water leaks?
Installing an isolation tap above the floor level could buy you some time during emergencies. This allows you to calmly remove floor boards to fix leaks.