Splits in wood can bring out mixed reactions. An optimist would see it as adding character and interest to the wood. A pessimist would only see a defect that makes the wood less valuable and attractive. It’s all perspective; if you are a homeowner and you have a split in your hardwood floor you are likely to be a pessimist. On the other hand, a craftsman might be optimistic that a split will enhance the value of an artistic piece.
First let’s look at what causes splits:
- The tree – splits can occur while the tree is still standing because of microorganisms, tree wounds, or tree age.
- Operator error –splits can happen in the drying process. If the moisture is drawn out too quickly the wood can split and crack.
- Changing environment – big changes in humidity can cause splits. Moving furniture from a very humid environment to a very dry one would potentially cause problems.
- Mechanical damage or design errors – If your piece was dropped or banged it can cause splits or cracks. Or if it was not designed to handle the stresses of shrinking and swelling.
There are ways to prevent further damage and maintain the beauty of the wood. But since the human eye is very good at picking up shapes that don’t belong, the repair may still be visible even if your color match is perfect.
For small cracks there are a number of repair options:
- Wood putty works well for small cracks. It comes as a thick paste that you spread into the split and sand smooth after it dries. It is available in a variety of colors to match your wood.
- Wax sticks are like crayons. Just rub over the crack and then remove the excess on the surface with a putty knife or a piece of stiff plastic.
- Glue and sawdust make excellent crack filler if you have extra wood you can sand into sawdust. You can then stain the patch to match the surrounding wood. Mix the sawdust into a small amount of wood glue until you have the consistency of thick paste and then press it into the split.
- CA Glue or ‘super glue’ works well on small cracks. Use the thin glue and sand over the area before the glue dries.
Large cracks are another matter. Splits or cracks may run very deep and in those cases, wood fillers are likely to crumble and fail when the wood moves due to natural expansion and compression as the seasons change.
You can attempt to match the surrounding wood by cutting a similar piece of wood and carefully fitting it in. Or you could make it a design element; fill the space with a contrasting material like turquoise. Another option is to just leave it open – embrace the space. Woodworkers will often use contrasting ‘bow ties’ to connect the sides and re-enforce the wood. The results can be stunning.
Practice a little and you will find those splits can be tamed.
