How to Fill & Seal Holes in Wood Floors

Clear any debris from the holes with a nylon brush, and then sweep the floor with a stiff-bristled broom to remove any dirt or debris surrounding the holes.

Pack the holes full with latex wood filler. Use a putty knife to push the filler into the hole, making sure that it fills the entire interior of the hole. Place just enough filler into the hole to overflow the edge slightly. Drag the edge of the putty knife over the filler to level it out with the surface of the floor. Choose filler that has a color matching as closely as possible to the color of the wood for better blending. Allow the filler to dry for an hour.

Wash the floor using a floor cleanser and a mop. Do not saturate the floor’s surface as it could damage the wood. Pat the wood dry with a cloth.

Sand the surface of the patched hole smooth with a piece of 100-grit sandpaper attached to a sanding block. Wipe the surface clear with tack cloth to remove any dust from the sanding process.

Cover the entire floor with a layer of urethane finish to seal the surface. Brush the urethane onto the floor beginning at the edges of the room with a paintbrush, covering a strip about 4 inches in width. Cove the rest of the floor with a foam applicator. Use long strokes with the applicator, following the grain of the wood. Seal the patched hole along with the rest of the surface by brushing over the filler as you pass the area. Allow the finish to dry overnight.

Sand the finish with a fine-grit sandpaper, smoothing the surface by removing any signs of brushstrokes or lap lines from the applicator. Remove sanding residue with a vacuum cleaner, then apply a second coat of the finish using the same process as the first. Sand the second coat, wait overnight and then repeat the application process with a third. Dry the third coat for 40 hours before using the floor again.