When there is some slight damage to your hardwood floor, it is not necessary to call a flooring company and replace the entire floor. Often, it is possible to employ simple methods of hardwood floor repair that leave your floors looking new again. The options range from replacing one section to refinishing the entire surface if necessary.
Often, the hardwood floor repair is not due to any deep scarring or deterioration of the wood itself. Instead, the problem lies with normal wear and tear on the finish, accompanied by some light scuffing and surface scratches. This is easily one of the simplest hardwood flooring issues to take care of, and can often be managed in a single afternoon.
To begin your floor refinishing, clear the room of all furniture. Clean the floors thoroughly using a broom or dust mop. Don’t forget to hang a sheet over the entrances and exits to the room; this will minimize the flow of dust to other parts of the house.
Use a sander to remove the old finish and create a smooth surface to the wood. Vacuum up the residue, making sure to leave the surface of the floor completely clean. Apply a fresh coat of stain, beginning at the point furthest away from the main entrance to the room. Slowly work your way backward to the entrance. Once completed, apply a sealant to the floor, using the same approach. Once the seal is dry, you will have completed the hardwood floor repair and have beautiful wood floors once more.
If the damage is more severe, your hardwood floor repair project may include replacing sections of the flooring. A task of this type will require the use of a circular saw, a chisel, and a fast drying wood glue. It is also a good idea to obtain replacement sections that are as close to the color and grain pattern of your floor as possible.
Carefully measure the area that you need to replace, and mark it lightly with a pencil. Use the circular saw to cut around all four sides of the section, then a single cut diagonally across the segment. The chisel can be utilized to slide into the cuts and extract the damaged section in two pieces.
Once the old section is removed, the next step in your hardwood floor repair is to clean out the exposed grooves in the surrounding sections of flooring. This will make it easier to work a new section into the open area and achieve a tight fit. Cut a replacement section to a size that will fill in the space properly, then work it into place.
If the new section fits as it should, take it back out and apply the wood glue. Place the new section back into the area and press to make sure the glue sets. As a last step in your hardwood floor repair, wipe up any excess glue that leaks from the seams. Once the section is secure, you can sand and refinish it to blend in more easily with the surrounding floor.
While many homeowners prefer to use flooring services, it is possible for even a novice to manage a hardwood floor repair with little trouble. By collecting the necessary tools and supplies, then taking then time to perform each step with precision, the floor can look like new in a very short period of time. Best of all, the cost for the repair will be significantly less than if a professional service was used for the job.
