Floating Floor Plank Repair

You must read and understand these instructions completely before beginning repair. It is recommended to wear your safety glasses throughout this project.

PLANK REMOVAL: Make sure the replacement plank matches the rest of your flooring material. Carefully examine the replacement plank for material defect. The new plank must be acclimated a minimum of 72 hours prior to installation.

1. Plank flooring is tough and durable; however, if a plank becomes damaged, it can be replaced.  If the damaged plank is along the perimeter of the room, the easiest technique is to disconnect the planks until the damaged plank is removed.  Replace the plank and reassemble the planks.  If it is impractical to disconnect and reassemble the flooring, the following procedure should be followed.

2. It's recommended to use painters tape along the sides of the board to be replaced to prevent damage to the adjoining boards.

3. Using a utility knife, cut through the center of the damaged plank, running the length of the plank.

4. Carefully remove cut pieces from the insert.  You can use a utility knife to remove the pieces from the floor.  Clean up any debris from opening area.

5. To prepare replacement plank.  Cut and remove tongue from the long side and the short end of the plank.  This can be accomplished by using a utility knife.

6. Using a utility knife, remove approximately 1.5 inches of the groove on the long side of the plank from the tongue end.

7. Apply a small bead of ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive to the groove of the boards in the floor.

8. Insert replacement plank, locking the long side joint (grove side) into the existing floor.      NOTE: The tongue end of the replacement plank will overlap the existing floor prior to being fully inserted.

9. Using a scrape piece of plank as a tapping devise, tap the groove end into place.  Insert the blade of a utility knife on the opposite side to lift an adjust the end as it is being tapped into place.

10. Place a weight on the plank until the adhesive sets.  Shaw recommends a minimum of 6-8 hours.