How to Fill Hollow Spots in Hardwood Floors

For hardwood flooring that is glued to concrete subfloors, the most effective and common method to address hollow spots involves using a specialized floor repair kit designed for injecting adhesive. This technique helps re-adhere the loose wood planks to the subfloor, eliminating the hollow sound and feel.

Addressing Hollow Spots in Glued Hardwood Floors

When you encounter hollow spots in hardwood floors glued to a concrete subfloor, it typically indicates a loss of adhesion between the wood plank and the concrete. An injection-based repair kit is specifically designed to remedy this issue without requiring extensive floor removal.

Steps for Repairing Hollow Spots:

1. Identify the Hollow Spot: Walk across your floor and listen for hollow sounds or feel for areas where the floor gives slightly. Mark these areas.
2. Prepare the Area: Ensure the floor surface is clean and free of debris.
3. Drill Small Holes: Using the drill bit provided in the repair kit, carefully drill small, discreet holes into the affected hardwood planks within the hollow spot. These holes serve as entry points for the adhesive. The drill bit is specifically sized to minimize visibility after repair.
4. Inject Adhesive: Utilize the syringe-type tool from the kit to inject the specialized glue into the drilled holes. The glue will flow under the board and fill the hollow void, creating a new bond with the concrete subfloor. Ensure sufficient glue is injected to cover the entire hollow area.
5. Apply Pressure (Optional but Recommended): After injecting the glue, apply gentle, even pressure to the repaired area. This can be done by weighting the spot down with heavy objects for several hours or overnight, which helps the adhesive bond effectively.
6. Clean Up: Wipe away any excess glue that may seep out of the holes immediately.
7. Cure Time: Allow the adhesive to cure completely according to the manufacturer's instructions before resuming normal use of the floor.

Recommended Floor Repair Kit

A widely recognized product for this type of repair is Stauf's IFK-100 INJECTOR FLOOR REPAIR KIT. This kit is a prime example of what you would need, as it provides all the necessary components for a successful repair:

• Drill Bit: A specific size designed for minimal impact on the floor's appearance.
• Glue: A high-strength adhesive formulated for bonding wood to concrete.
• Syringe-type Tool: Essential for precisely injecting the glue into the small drilled holes.

Kit Components Overview:

By following this method, you can effectively eliminate most hollow spots in glued hardwood floors, restoring the stability and integrity of your flooring.