Common Repairs Needed for Hardwood Floors: A Homeowner's Guide - How to Maintain Them - Hardwood Maintenance and Cleaning Guide

As a homeowner, you take pride in your hardwood floors – their beauty, durability, and classic charm. However, even the most well-maintained floors can experience wear and tear over time. As a hardwood flooring professional, I've encountered many common issues that require repairs. Here, I will discuss the most frequent repairs needed for hardwood floors, helping you identify and address these problems as they arise. Each day, we receive many calls for many different reasons. We have a few of the problems listed below.

Pet Urine Stains

Pet accidents can create unsightly stains on hardwood floors. When pet urine seeps into the wood, it can cause discoloration, foul odors, and even damage to the floor's finish. To address this issue, you may need to sand the affected area, apply wood bleach, and refinish the floor. For severe staining, the damaged boards may need to be replaced.

How do we fix these? If severe and are solid oak planks, we will do a full replacement and a full sanding. If a factory finished product, we'll requested to have more of the exact same boards onsite to replace.

Gouged Hardwoods:

Heavy furniture, falling objects, or high-heeled shoes can cause gouges in your hardwood floors. Depending on the depth of the gouge, you might be able to fill it in with wood filler, sand the area smooth, and refinish it. In cases where the damage is too severe, you may need to replace the affected boards.

Scratches

Scratches are inevitable with hardwood floors. Minor scratches can often be buffed out with a touch-up kit or fine steel wool. For deeper scratches, sanding and refinishing the affected area is often necessary. To prevent future scratches, consider using furniture pads, area rugs, and ensuring your pet's nails are regularly trimmed.

How do we fix these? If severe and are solid oak planks, we will do a full replacement and a full sanding. If a factory finished product, we'll requested to have more of the exact same boards onsite to replace. In some cases, we'll be able to color in the scratch and help hide it somewhat but only full replacement will fix deeply gouged boards.

Chemical Spills:

Accidental chemical spills, such as paint or harsh cleaning solutions, can damage your hardwood floors. Even pet vomit or anything acidic can ruin your floors. Quickly cleaning up spills and using a mild cleaner can minimize the risk of damage. If the spill has caused discoloration or damaged the floor's finish, you might need to sand and refinish the area.

For minor damage that affects only the finish, we perform spot sanding and apply a fresh coat of polyurethane. However, due to differences in sheen and the natural aging of the floor, some variations may be noticeable. If the damage is more severe and impacts solid oak planks, a full board replacement and complete sanding will be necessary to restore the floor properly. For factory-finished flooring, we will ensure that matching boards are available on-site for seamless replacement.

Damage from Movers

Moving heavy furniture or appliances can cause dents, scratches, and gouges in your hardwood floors. To avoid this, use furniture sliders or appliance mats when moving heavy items. If damage does occur, repairing the affected area may involve filling, sanding, and refinishing, or even replacing damaged boards.

How do we fix these? If minor and affecting only the finish coats, we'll do a spot sanding and add a new layer of polyurethane. Differences may show due to to age and sheen differences. If severe and are solid oak planks, we will do a full replacement and a full sanding. If a factory finished product, we'll requested to have more of the exact same boards onsite to replace.

For minor damage that affects only the finish, we perform spot sanding and apply a fresh coat of polyurethane. However, due to differences in sheen and the natural aging of the floor, some variations may be noticeable. If the damage is more severe and impacts solid oak planks, a full board replacement and complete sanding will be necessary to restore the floor properly. For factory-finished flooring, we will ensure that matching boards are available on-site for seamless replacement.

Damage from Moving a Fridge without Appliance Mats

Dragging a fridge across hardwood floors without using appliance mats can result in deep scratches or gouges. To repair this damage, you may need to sand down the affected area and refinish the floor, or replace the damaged boards entirely.

When moving furniture or appliances across hardwood floors, it is crucial to use appliance mats or protective sliders to prevent scratches, dents, or gouges. Even moving heavy items just an inch without proper protection can cause significant damage to the finish or the wood itself. We strongly recommend that movers never drag or push furniture or appliances directly on the floor. Instead, they should use lifting techniques or place items on thick moving blankets or rubber-wheeled dollies designed for hardwood floors. Taking these precautions will help maintain the integrity of your floors and prevent costly repairs.

Residue or Wax Buildup from Cleaners

Using inappropriate cleaners on hardwood floors can leave residue or cause wax buildup. This can dull the appearance of your floors and create a sticky surface. To restore your floor's shine, you might need to strip the wax with a specialized wax remover, then clean and refinish the floor. Always check the labels on cleaning products to ensure they are safe for hardwood floors. We only recommend Bona Hardwood Cleaner or any product that won't leave a residue. Never use anything that is a "polish".

How do we fix these? If minor, we can do a light cleaning and a screen and recoats. If major, we may need to do a full wax extraction and then a screen a recoat. Call for details.

Water and Hardwood Floors:

A Challenging Combination Water can be detrimental to hardwood floors, as the naturally porous nature of hardwood makes it susceptible to moisture damage. When exposed to water, hardwood absorbs it and swells to accommodate the additional moisture. As the wood dries and the moisture evaporates, the floor contracts, which can result in warping and buckling. Therefore, it's essential to protect your hardwood floors from water exposure to maintain their beauty and longevity.

How do we fix these? Board replacement and full sanding. These are very difficult as there is an underlying issue. What caused the problem? This has to be remedied before repairs can be done.

Damage from Planters?

Avoid placing plants directly onto a wood floor, even if they are on a waterproof saucer, to avoid excessive moisture buildup. To allow for air circulation underneath the pot and saucer, always use trivets or short stands. By doing this, you can keep your wooden floor from being harmed by condensation on the saucer.

How do we fix these? Full replacement of the board is normally necessary. Then sanding of the floors to blend. Factory finished boards will require more like planks onsite for replacement.

Season Changes, RH, and Board Movement

Hardwood floors are a natural product that responds to changes in humidity levels, especially during the dry winter months. When the relative humidity (RH) drops too low, particularly around fireplaces, air vents, or any area where heat dries out the air, the wood can lose moisture, leading to gapping and even minor cracking. In regions like Georgia, where RH levels fluctuate throughout the year, it's crucial to maintain consistent indoor humidity to prevent excessive movement in the wood. If you have a basement or garage that isn’t properly acclimated, moisture imbalances can cause additional gapping, especially in floors above these spaces. Keeping your home’s RH between 35-55% can help minimize seasonal changes and preserve the stability of your floors.

As part of standard hardwood floor maintenance, some movement, including gaps, squeaking, and minor cracks, should be expected over time. These are natural characteristics of wood flooring and are not covered under warranty, as they result from environmental conditions rather than installation issues. To address minor gaps, you can use wood filler or specialized putties like Color Putty, which can be conveniently purchased on Amazon or at home improvement stores like Home Depot. Regular maintenance, including proper humidification during the winter months, is key to preserving the beauty and longevity of your hardwood floors.

Over time, hardwood floors can lose their luster and develop worn patches due to normal wear and tear. Regular maintenance, such as sweeping and mopping with a damp microfiber cloth, can help prolong the life of your floor's finish. However, eventually, the floor will need to be sanded and refinished to restore its original beauty. Choosing the right finish will make a huge difference in the longevity of your floors.

Over time, hardwood floors can lose their luster and develop worn patches due to normal wear and tear. Regular maintenance, such as sweeping and mopping with a damp microfiber cloth, can help prolong the life of your floor's finish. However, when the finish begins to wear down, a full sanding and refinishing may eventually be needed to restore its original beauty. To extend the life of your floors and delay the need for a full refinish, we offer a screen and recoat service, a one-day, one-coat process that builds up the protective finish layer, renewing the floor’s appearance and adding years of life. This method allows us to maintain the thickness of the finish, keeping your floors looking great while providing long-term durability. Choosing the right finish and maintaining it properly will make a huge difference in the longevity of your hardwood floors.

Squeaks

Squeaks in hardwood floors are a common occurrence and typically result from natural movement in the wood due to seasonal humidity changes. As the wood expands and contracts, slight gaps can form between the boards or between the flooring and the subfloor, causing friction and noise when walked on. This is especially common in older homes or in areas where the subfloor is not tightly secured. While minor squeaks are a normal characteristic of wood flooring. To minimize board movement and reduce squeaking, homeowners should keep their indoor relative humidity (RH) regulated between 35-55% year-round. However, it’s important to understand that no hardwood floor is completely silent, and some level of squeaking should be expected over time.

Conclusion

Hardwood floors are a timeless and elegant addition to any home, but they do require proper care and maintenance. By being mindful of these common repairs and addressing them promptly, you can keep your hardwood floors looking their best for years to come. And remember, when in doubt, call The Hardwood Guys for a consultation. We offer repairs, full sanding, cleaning, and screen and recoat services.