With all the entertaining, new toys, and guests in and out over the holidays your hardwood floors may have taken some punishment. If you don’t need a hardwood floor refinishing company to re-do all your flooring but have a few issues that need attention, today’s blog will help. Before you start any of these DIY tips, understand that a scratch is something that is in the finish while a dent is actually compressed wood.
Scratch Repairs
If there are many light scratches throughout your flooring, consider using a wood renew product like Bono Pro Series Hardwood Floor Refresher. Make sure to clean the floors completely before applying this product. You’ll find that many surface issues can’t be seen once you’ve used this type of product and because you’re not sanding and refinishing, you can walk on the flooring in about an hour.
If you have only a few scratches that are only in the wood’s finish, a simple solution is either the flooring markers or crayons in a tone that matches your finish. No matter which direction the scratch goes, try to go over the scratch with the wood grain. This will help minimize how much you notice the repaired area. Keep in mind that over time and with regular floor cleaning you will need to re-apply.
Dent Repair
Repairing a dent is a more involved and sometimes riskier process. If you just can’t live with the dent until it’s time for a complete hardwood floor refinishing, you can try a few different things. Know that each one gives a different result and should be tried in an inconspicuous area first.
The easiest solution is to fill in the dent with wood putty that is similar to the finish of your hardwood flooring. Minwax offers a line of ten different colors that work with most stained hardwood floors. Sometimes the best results requires purchasing more than one container and mixing it together until you’ve achieved the right tone. Once you have the color right, fill in the hole. Be sure to press it in firmly. Once you have the dent filled, use mild soap and water to remove any excess from around the dent.
Another option that may work for you is to utilize steam to help the wood re-swell. If you have a steam cleaner with a nozzle that can aim the steam in one area, try steaming the dent for three to five minutes. If you don’t have a steam cleaner, apply a smooth wet cloth to the area and rub your iron over it for about the same amount of time. Don’t let the iron sit still, rub in a circular motion over the cloth. With either method, let the area dry for a few hours and see if the dented area is less noticeable. You may then want to use a wood floor refreshing product over your entire floor or marker if there is also a scratch.
Seer Flooring Can Help
If the scratches and dents are more than you want to tackle, we offer two different processes that may solve your problems. We can screen your hardwood or engineered wood flooring and apply a new topcoat which will conceal any light scratches or we can completely refinish you floors and conceal most dents and scratches. Give us a call today at 727-785-1930 and we’ll advise you to the best refinishing option in your home.