Hardwood floors have a timeless appeal and remain highly sought-after, making them a stylish choice that never goes out of fashion. Owning a hardwood floor is an enviable position, not just for its aesthetic appeal, but also because it can significantly increase the value of your home. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that hardwood floors require regular maintenance to preserve their beauty. However, over time, all floors suffer from wear and tear and show signs of damage. When this occurs they need to be refinished to restore them to their natural splendor. Before deciding to refinish, however, it’s important to assess the severity of the damage. Some damage can be taken care of easily with regular cleaning and maintenance, while more severe damage needs to be attended to immediately. If you’re unsure of the extent of the damage, it’s best to consult a professional flooring specialist to ensure your floors are properly taken care of.
So, when is the best time to refinish hardwood floors?
Determining when to refinish hardwood floors can be a challenging task. While regular cleaning and maintenance can help preserve the beauty and elegance of natural wood floors, some damage from daily use is inevitable. The issue for homeowners is knowing when to refinish hardwood floors. Exactly how do you determine when your floors require more than just regular cleaning and maintenance? Although scratches are a natural side effect of use, scratches that penetrate the wood itself, gouges, chipping, graying or other discoloration, excess staining, sun damage, and worn areas are indicators that refinishing is necessary.
Water Damage
Even small amounts of water can cause damage to hardwood floors if it is left to stand and not wiped up. Staining caused by water damage can usually be fixed by sanding and refinishing, but severe cases can lead to warping, cupping, or buckling of the wood, which requires complete replacement of the floor.
Scratches
Some scratching due to normal use is unavoidable on any wood floor, especially when the wood is in high traffic areas. Light scratches in isolated areas are normal and don’t require repair, but deeper scratches that penetrate into the wood are a sign that the floor requires refinishing. It is essential that deep scratches are repaired otherwise they are a possible entry-point for water which will then lead to more serious damage. Applying a new coat of stain won’t work, as it will change the color of the wood, making the repair appear visually obvious.
Gouges and Chipping
Any wooden flooring in the high traffic areas of your home will inevitably gain damage, especially if you have children and pets. Over time deep scratches, gouges, and large chips can occur. These types of damage can lead to water penetration and more serious damage. While splintering of the wood causes a hazard for everyone In your family.
Graying of Wood
If sections of the wood floor look gray, this Is an indication of water damage. This happens when the polyurethane finish begins to wear off. The gray color is a result of the wood oxidizing, if this is not treated promptly the damage will progress with the wood turning black.
Excess Staining
Staining, like scratches, occurs on hardwood floors as a consequence of normal use, excessive staining however is a sign that it’s time to refinish your floor. Sometimes it is possible to remove stains with regular cleaning products. If this is not successful the floor will need sanding and refinishing
Sun Damage
Direct sunlight can lead to damage and discoloration of hardwood floors. If you have an area of floor that is exposed to a lot of sunlight, over time it may become faded. Refinishing is needed in this situation.
Worn Areas
When there is a significant amount of traffic on hardwood floors, they will eventually show signs of wear and tear. If you observe areas where the stain appears to be fading, it is advisable to refinish them promptly. This type of wear and tear is most noticeable in high-traffic areas such as doorways and hallways, but it can also occur in other areas with heavy usage, such as under chairs and tables that are frequently moved.
Regularly checking the condition of your floors and the integrity of the seal coat is important to maintain their appearance and longevity. When the seal coat begins to wear away, it can lead to splintering, allowing water to seep in and warp the wood or lead to mold growth. This is serious damage and will need expensive repairs, or even replacement of the whole floor.
Refinishing is necessary if there are indications of damage, but you do not have to wait for these signs to appear before refinishing your floors. Refinishing can also be used to alter the color of your hardwood floors if you are dissatisfied with your home’s design. If your floors are in good condition, they can be easily refreshed by sanding and refinishing with a new stain color. This not only enhances the appearance of your home but also increases its resale value, as quality hardwood floors are among the top features homebuyers look for.
If you decide to refinish your hardwood floors, it is essential to do the job correctly to maintain their overall condition. In most cases, this entails employing a professional flooring contractor with the necessary tools and expertise. Hardwood floors can be a significant investment in your home, but they require a great deal of attention and care. Therefore, keep an eye on your floor’s condition and watch for any signs that it may require refinishing. The sooner you refinish your floors, the better they will be and the longer you will be able to enjoy them. Contact Ted’s Flooring today for a schedule.
