Over time your hardwood floor can become damaged from normal wear and tear or accidents such as paint spills, flooding, scratches, lack of cleaning, ect. Before you pay for professional labor costs keep in mind that many of these flaws can be taken care of yourself.
Here are some steps you can take in repairing and restoring your hardwood flooring, and maintaining them for years to come:
- Correcting stains from liquid and other substances – Water damage is a very common issue for homeowners, and can cause buckling, stains, and even mold. You can repair the situation by focusing on the affected area first. Many times this just takes a lot of sanding, and if this does not work then the replacement of planks. It’s best to take care of this type of damage as soon as possible in order to avoid costly repairs later.
- Scratches and/or dents in the wood – If you have had your hardwood floor for a few years then you know that scratches, nicks, dents, ect. can occur. Depending on the severity of the damage you can use a wood putty stick or paste to fill in the area(s). By applying the material over the affected spot and wiping it clean with a soft dry cloth you can restore the pristine look to your floor. After you complete the process you can protect the wood with a floor refresher product, as outlined by home remodel expert, Bob Vila.
- Major hardwood floor repairs – Unfortunately there can be times where the damage is too extensive, and simple repairs will not suffice. This will require the replacement of the damaged planks, which can be done at home or with the help of a professional. The key is to purchase a matching plank that’s of the same size, and then duplicating the original finish. If you have an old piece of leftover wood this can help you determine exactly what type of staining or gloss material to use. This information may also be available from the original home builder if you purchased your home new.
It is worth the time and effort to repair or replace your hardwood floor as you can maintain its value for as long as you are in the home. Some hardwood floors are more prone to damage than others, which is always a good consideration before installing a new one.
