How to Repair Crack and Sliver Damage Made by an Electric Nailer in a Hardwood Floor

Electric nail guns are indispensable tools when you are installing projects that require a high number of nails, such as hardwood flooring. When used properly, nailers can drastically reduce installation time and provide a more secure flooring. However, if you use the wrong type of nailer or one with too much pressure, the result is cracks and splits in the wood. Small areas of damage are repairable using filler products to disguise the damage.

Belt sander
60- and 100-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Wood filler
Plastic putty knife
Wood stain
Foam paint brush

Instructions

- 1
  Attach a piece of 60-grit sandpaper onto a belt sander and plug the cord into an electrical outlet. Don safety glasses and a dust mask for protection. Sand the areas of the floor where the splinters and cracks are visible until you can no longer feel any rough patches.
- 2
  Wipe the floor off using a tack cloth to remove the excess dust from the surface.
- 3
  Open a tub of wood filler and scoop out 1 or 2 teaspoons using a plastic putty knife. Spread the putty over all imperfections in the wood floor, including any cracks, depressions or other gouges. Scrape off as much of the excess putty as possible and allow the putty to dry completely.
- 4
  Sand the wooden boards using a 100-grit sandpaper until the wood putty is the same level as the floor boards. Wipe the boards again using a tack cloth to remove the dust.
- 5
  Open a can of wood stain in the same color as the original floor and apply it only to the repaired boards using a foam paint brush. Drag the foam brush over the can rim so you don’t drip excess stain on other boards.

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