Wood flooring looks great and adds a lot to homes of all styles and ages. In exchange for all that classy and timeless beauty, there's some maintenance homeowners should be aware of.
Anyone who's ever owned a home with wood floors knows there are actually two things to keep in mind at all times:
- Prevention
- Maintenance
Hardwood floor scratch repair is probably the easier of the two because there are so many easy solutions available.
However, when it comes to prevention of scratches, scuffs, marks, scrapes, and discoloration, owners need to be aware of how floors are regularly used. For example, pet claws can be a major source of floor scratches, as can grind marks where furniture has been dragged from one location to another.
It's a good idea to cover large, open areas with rugs, or at least make sure to use protective coatings on floors in places where there's a lot of traffic. Hardwood floor repair, which happens after the fact, is a straightforward process and you can get it done in no time.
Here are seven ways to restore hardwood floors to their original state of beauty!
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." – Arthur Ashe
Cleaning
Dust and lackluster wood can accentuate worn out areas and minor scratches, and this can be fixed with a gentle cleaning.
Begin by vacuuming the entire area thoroughly and then use a moist mop, dipped in a solution of a quart of warm water mixed with one or two drops of dishwashing liquid. Immediately follow with a clean mop to remove the soapy solution and dry mop or cloth to take up excess water.
Sanding
If a light mopping doesn't get rid of all the marks, consider using a fine-grade sandpaper for hardwood floor repair. You'll want to sand ever-so-lightly on each mark, scuff, or discoloration and go with the grain. As soon as the mark is gone, stop sanding. Follow by wiping down the area with a soft cloth and using a mini-vac to get up all the sawdust.
A homemade remedy
An easy home remedy is to mix a drop or two of olive oil with baking soda. Rub the mixture into the wood markings and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe up the soda and oil with a clean, dry cloth.
Restoring liquid
If you are willing to spend around $10 or so, check your local hardware store and purchase a small bottle of wood restoring liquid. Follow product directions when applying. Most restorers do an excellent job of removing or covering up gashes, scrapes, gouges, water stains, and discoloration.
Mark-remover pencils
If you don't want to use a liquid restorer, consider getting a mark-remover pencil to work on isolated areas. The advantage of pencils is that they fill in gouges and can be matched to the exact color of your original flooring. Shop carefully to get a color that matches perfectly to your flooring.
Refinish
The so-called "nuclear option" for restoration and removing scratches is to refinish the floor. It's hard work, but it definitely pays off since the flooring will look brand new once again.
- Step one of the process is to strip the entire floor with a product designed for the job. You can purchase generic versions at any hardware store.
- Then, apply a coat of sealant or finish that brings out the natural beauty of your hardwood floor's grain pattern.
Refinishing is usually the smartest way to go for floors that have taken a severe beating, are extremely old, or just look terrible.
Carpenter’s Trick
An old "carpenter's secret" for wood floor scratch repair is to rub walnuts or use coconut oil directly onto the damaged areas. Oil from the nuts has a restorative effect and helps to disguise blemishes. Use a dry cloth to remove excess oil when you're done.
Always remember to wear safety goggles and protective gloves if you work with any chemical products. Additionally, make sure your work area is well-ventilated while you fix scratches on wood floor segments. Some chemicals can damage or stain old wood, so be sure to do a test on an unused section of the floor just to be safe.
Contact a local pro and request a free quote for wood floor scratch repair today!
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