Alright, so today’s project was tackling that wobbly, noisy patch of larch wood floor in my living room corner – you know, the one I call the “dancing floor” because boards move when you step! Figured it was finally time to stop cursing it and actually fix it.

Figuring Out The Mess

First thing, I pulled out the rug covering it. Yep, still looked awful. I got down on my knees and started pushing on the boards near the wall. Felt totally loose! Like, lifting up and clicking back down loose. Real head-scratcher. How did it even get this bad?

Digging Deeper

Time to see what was hiding underneath. I carefully pried up the wonky board closest to the skirting board using my trusty pry bar and a thin scraper. Took some wiggling – didn’t want to crack it. Underneath? Not good. Looked like whoever nailed it down just… didn’t. Or maybe hit air? Saw maybe one sad nail bent over uselessly. Plus, the joist underneath – the thick beam holding everything? That wood felt weirdly squishy and soft near the end. Uh oh. Rotten? Maybe damp got in somehow? That explained the wobble for sure.

Stuff I Grabbed:

• My big hammer (the heavy one)
• Two-inch finishing nails (got a bunch)
• Wood glue (the sticky stuff)
• Small chunks of spare larch wood scraps (leftover from original install)
• Sharp wood chisel
• Electric sander (with coarse grit)
• Level (my short metal one)
• Vacuum cleaner (for dust duty)

Fixing The Foundation

Okay, couldn’t put a solid floor on rotten wood. So, I attacked that soft spot on the joist. Chiseled out all the punky, soft wood until I hit solid stuff. Felt like digging wet cardboard. Vacuumed out all the nasty debris. Then, cut a scrap chunk to jam snugly into the hole I just made. Drowned it in wood glue first – really soaked it and forced it in tight. Hammered the crud out of it too, making sure it sat lower than the top of the joist so the floorboard wouldn’t ride up on it later.

Pinning Down The Board

While the glue dried on my patch job, I focused on the board itself. Flipped it over. Used my sharp chisel to scrape off any little dried glue blobs or dirt on the bottom edges where it locks with the neighbors. Gotta be clean for a tight fit. Then came the important part: nailing. Plopped the board back into its spot. It clicked satisfyingly against the others. Started hammering nails again – but this time, seriously. Angled them right, hammering deep into the joists every 6-8 inches. I went kinda mad near the end that used to wobble – gave it extra nails. Felt solid!

Checking & Cleanup

No good leaving it rough. Sanded down the patched area on the joist where I’d made the repair, flush with the other solid parts. Didn’t want bumps making the board lift later. Whacked the board a few more times with my hammer just to be sure. Then, the big test. Stomped all over that corner like a kid throwing a tantrum. Nothing! No click, no dip, no movement. Just a solid, satisfying thump. Swept and vacuumed all the dust and wood chips I’d made. Put the rug back. Feels brand new underfoot now. Back isn’t thanking me much, but the floor sure is quiet!