DIY fix for 2 lifted boards after water damage?

Had water damage on my hardwood floors. Most boards have some minor cupping I can live with, but two partial boards lifted about a quarter inch and are now a tripping hazard (pics attached). Got quotes ranging from 10k (replace raised boards + cupped board + whole first floor refinish) to about 3k (replace raised/cupped boards, spot refinish to match as close as possible). I just had the whole first floor refinished a few months ago.

So for now, I just want a safe, cheaper DIY fix. Could I pull the lifted boards, plane/sand the bottoms, and glue them back in until I’m ready for a proper refinish (not sure how to pull the boards though)? Any other DIY solutions or tips from those who’ve patched something like this? I don't have any wood flooring experience, I'm just a somewhat handy DIY homeowner.

Pics:

https://imgur.com/a/Q5ZWirX

Posted Sep 2, 2025, 3:34 PM UTC

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