Lounge Floor renovation and repair - New for old Boards

[moneypit1937]

Hello, in the process of renovating my lounge floor (aka enthusiastically bodging). I've sanded to 120 and after replacing some boards (about 20), i'm then going to use a floor wax/stain.

Photo 1

• moneypit1937
• 10 Mar 2020

various cuts and splits from previous owners

I have some new boards which are acclimatising in the lounge (

Photo 2

• moneypit1937
• 10 Mar 2020

new boards

) and then i hope to use 'lost tite screws' (URL: http://bit.ly/ScrewLink). I know is not the recommended approach, but looking to avoid hammering in nails into older joists to avoid splitting them with all the removing and replacing.

1. Please could someone advise how long I should wait for the boards to acclimatise (they were purchased directly from the sawmill, not B&Q)
2. Has anyone has success of using this type of screw before?

thank you in advance, i'm also really sorry if this is a repeat question. First time poster, so please be gentle

 

[plastic_peanut]

I would personally try to leave for 1 week. Laminate is usually 24-48 hours so I would hope that will be sufficient.

I have used the floor tire screws which are blue. Same idea but obviously not very discreet. Worked very well and i screwed them in next to the original nails

 

[moneypit1937]

Thank you @plastic_peanut for taking the time out to respond. Do you think it should be longer in the knowledge that the wood so fresh (straight from the sawmill) and not been stored anywhere. Sorry I should have mentioned that in the original post

 

[plastic_peanut]

Sorry I can’t advise on the exact length of time. Wood will move anyway and as it is nice and dry I personally think 7 days would be sufficient. That’s my opinion in a non professional capacity.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

If you use clasp nails you should minimise any problems of splitting. Next best would be oval nails IMHO. It's round shank nails (e.g nail gun nails) which tend to cause most problems of splitting.

As to acclimatisation, were the planks resawn from kilned or air dried timber and were they stored indoors or outdoors before you collected them? Also, is your house centrally heated or do you use another method? All factors that make a difference.

 

[moneypit1937]

Thanks for your response @JobAndKnock. I'll have a look at the clasp nails, i can drill a pilot hole to mitigate my fears over splitting/damaging the joists.

They were stored outside in the timber yard, but only for one day while they were sorting the order for me. I've had them in the lounge sperated with offcuts since last Tuesday. I've had the central heating on in the room, but only on low heat

What do you think? thanks again for your advice

 

[Deleted member 174758]

If they were kilned and not stored outdoors they should be ready to use in a few days. Hopefully you've stickered them to improve air flow around them

No need to pre drill with clasps or ovals just align with the grain. To minimise any splitting if using ovals, blunt the tips first

 

[moneypit1937]

Yes got some wood between each row of boards. Thanks again for your advice

enjoy the rest of your evening