How do you fix a damaged parquet floor?

Parquet floor repair: what causes each problem

Parquet lifts, gaps or stains for one of two main reasons: water or a dry environment. Lifting and hollow strips point to water under the floor, gaps point to dry conditions, and dark patches point to water or strong sunlight. A dull look is usually just worn varnish.

HDB's floor finishes guide sets out the common parquet problems, what causes them and the fix for each. The table below follows that guide.

Match what you see to a row before you buy materials or book anyone. A dull finish, a few stains and narrow gaps are surface problems that you can often deal with without lifting a single strip. Hollow or bulged strips are different. If you replace them without fixing the water underneath, the new strips can loosen for the same reason.

Lifting or hollow parquet

Parquet lifting is the problem to take most seriously, because the cause sits under the floor. HDB's floor finishes guide explains that hollow or bulged-up strips happen when water seeps underneath the parquet and the strips lose adhesion. Its advice is to find the source of seepage first, prevent contact with water and replace the hollow strips where necessary.

To map the damage, tap the floor with a coin. Firm strips give a solid knock, while loose ones sound hollow. Work outwards from the first hollow spot until the sound changes, so you know how far the problem spreads.

Then check the likely sources. Look along walls shared with the bathroom and kitchen, around doorways to wet areas and below aircon trunking, as a leak there can run down the wall to the floor. If a wall next to the floor is damp or stained, read the guide on water seepage through walls before you deal with the floor.

Re-varnishing and gaps

A dull finish and small gaps are surface problems, and they are often fixed together. HDB's floor finishes guide says lacklustre varnish comes from wear and tear and is fixed by re-varnishing. For open gaps, it advises sealing obvious gaps with matching putty and re-varnishing if necessary.

Re-varnishing usually means sanding the old finish first, and that is dusty work. Move furniture out of the room, cover built-in carpentry and open the windows. Fill gaps before the final coat, and test the putty and varnish on a hidden corner first to check the colour.

If the floor only looks tired, a thorough clean may be enough before you sand anything. See how to clean a parquet floor for routine care that keeps the finish looking good for longer.

Replacing parquet in an HDB flat

If strips are badly damaged, or a large area has lifted, part or all of the floor may need replacing. HDB's renovation guidelines for building works say replacing floor finishes, including parquet or timber, needs a permit. The total thickness of floor finishes and screed must not exceed 50mm. HDB also lists laying parquet or timber flooring over existing finishes, and laying vinyl, carpet or linoleum, as work that needs no permit, though its conditions still apply. If you are unsure whether a smaller repair counts as replacing floor finishes, ask HDB before work starts.

So there are two routes: take out the old floor and lay a new one with a permit, or lay new flooring over what is there and follow the conditions. Laying over the existing floor raises its level, so check doors and the step between rooms first.

Ask your contractor which route the job falls under and who will apply for the permit if one is needed. If you are also weighing up tiles, see the guide to HDB floor tile rules.

Keep parquet in good shape

Most of HDB's maintenance advice is about keeping water off the floor. Its floor finishes guide suggests avoiding excessive dampness, for example with a floor mat on parquet next to toilets, drying the surface after mopping and ventilating rooms. It also recommends soft pads or rubber soles on furniture legs.

A few habits help too. Wipe up spills straight away, mop with a well-wrung mop rather than a wet one, and tap the floor near wet areas now and then to catch hollow spots early. If you find a problem you would rather not fix yourself, compare handymen in the directory and ask whether they repair parquet. The cost depends on the job, so ask for a quote that spells out what is included.

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