Top Nails Popping Up

Q: I have an old floor, about 80 years old. It is an oak veneer top nailed floor that is very thin. I have noticed lately that some of the nails are popping up.
What is the best way to drive the nail back down and keep it down? Does the nail need replacing? To date I have been driving the same nail down and filling with wood putty but I don’t know if this method is long lasting. We had the floors re-lacquered about two years ago and that did not seem to help.
Thanks,
Molly

A: What I would suggest doing is replacing the old nails. What you will want to do is slowly work along the floor, removing old nails and replacing with ring shank nails. These nails have much more gripping power and should do the trick. Just set your nails and putty your holes as normal and you should be all set.