Hole in floor after boiler removal ..

another_casualty

Howdy ! 

On Monday , old boiler in  spare bedroom was removed. 

However, there is a fair gap in the wooden flooring by skirting board and window . 

What's the best way to fix? It is draughty a there since boiler removal. As a stop gap solution , I have a thick piece of wood covering it
and am thinking of putting my sideboard on top of it for now . The floor consists of wood floorboards and is carpeted

Thanks in advance 

FreeBear

What do you call a "fair gap" ?

For some, tenths of a millimetre is big, for others, a couple of metres is close enough... A photo might help.

For a small gap of up to say 10mm, I'd suggest a bead of expanding foam to stop the draughts. In the long term, getting a new floorboard cut to size and fitted - Depending on the age of the property, that may entail a visit to a building reclamation yard or timber merchant. Old floorboards are often quite a bit thicker than the stuff that gets used in new builds.

If it is only a small section, cutting a small block of wood to fit the hole & gluing it in place would also work.

another_casualty

Thanks free bear . Here's the image . The wide board behind it was on top of it . I just pulled it out 

another_casualty

Here is a proper photo ..

FreeBear

another_casualty said: Here is a proper photo ..

Much, much better

The gap is too big for expanding foam, and cutting small filler strips is a bit iffy. I'd be looking at getting some new boards (cut & planed to size if needs be). Cut the damaged boards back so that a new section is supported by two joists, Fix the new sections in place and secure with screws. Plenty of youtube videos showing how to do it..

another_casualty

Thanks for that free bear 🐼
A couple of further questions if I may : I'm partly disabled and only have basic tools .
Would it be possible to order a couple of floorboards from b&q and the like , and they just slot in ? Is it worth asking the builder I've used in the past for his views ? 

Finally , would that piece of wood  I have covering the gap which I have put on top of the carpet for now be ok for a stop gap ? 

When the builder put my new bathroom in , he spotted a rotting floorboard and replaced it 

Le_Kirk

That looks like chipboard floor board rather then your standard old wood floor boards, available at Wickes/B&Q or similar.  Seems a shame to have to buy a complete one (1220 x 2440) but maybe you can find an off-cut somewhere. You will need to cut back some of the old floor panel away to make space to install battens or get across some joists.  You can do it with basic tools but it is hard work sawing along the panels making sure you don't cut too deeply into a joist.

victor2

The piece of wood is OK for now. If you have a builder you use and trust, ask him to have a look when he's available and give you a price to sort it out. Could be a while in the current environment!

another_casualty

Thanks everyone . Here is an even better pic 😼

FreeBear

You may find the stuff B&Q sell will fit - Last piece I used, I had to put some thin slivers underneath to build up the height. Have since gone out and got some boards planed to size to match the rest of the 1920s floor. I also have a section of floor than needs repair, and it has been waiting for <mumble><mumble> years. It has had a sheet of hardboard (originally), and then chipboard over the top to stop the draughts.

In your situation, any old bit of wood will keep the worst of the draughts out until you can get a handyman in to do a repair. By the looks of it, the boards have been lifted in the past, so should come up very easily now. You may be lucky and find the boards have been cut in just the right place so that you can drop an 18" section in without any further hassle. Peal the carpet back a bit more to see if this is the case.

Le_Kirk

another_casualty said:

Thanks everyone . Here is an even better pic 😼

Aha, I see from your "even better pic" that that they are indeed floorboards so you could replace the ends that have been cut short and, as FreeBear states they have been lifted before and refitted with screws so should be an easier job.  Still need a good saw though.