We have Red Oak flooring and there are cracks that for the most part go along the seam, although some are actually within the boards themselves. The floor is tongue and groove and the boards are approximately 2 1/2" wide. What can we do to fill in these cracks? Thank you!

-- Marie in Central WA (Mamafila@aol.com), March 30, 2002

Answers

a wood filler that matches the color

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.coms), March 30, 2002.

Marie: Oak flooring requires a "filler" that is rubbed on and wiped down before the floor is varnished. It comes in a bucket or can just like paint, but is the consistency of thick peanut butter. Its sole function is to fill the cracks and pores in the wood. It goes on after sanding but before varnishing.

Go to a paint store or flooring company and ask. Any knowledgeable paint salesman should know all about this. Mac

-- Jimmy S (Macrocarpus@gbronline.com), March 31, 2002.

Thanks you guys. Can this filler be used after the floor is already varnished?

-- Marie in Central WA (Mamafila@aol.com), March 31, 2002.

yes,, but you will have to get a filler that matches the varnish,, instead of the wood, but you will have to resand it, then touch up with the varnish

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 31, 2002.

Thanks you all for your help. The floor is already varnished and has been for a couple of years....the cracks are just showing up periodically. Won't it show up worse when my DH fills the cracks, sands and revarnishes, even if he just does the cracks? I don't want the floor looking like a zebra. What if we used a real fine paint brush for the varnish part? Do we have to go down very far with the sanding? How do we avoid this next time as we plan to put wood flooring in Grandmas's cottage? Or is it even avoidable at all?

-- Marie in Central WA (Mamafila@aol.com), April 01, 2002.