How To Repair Gouges In Wood Floor

• Floor & Stairs

What Would Bob Do? Fixing Scratches on Wood Floors

Over time, a hardwood floor is bound to become scratched, nicked, or even gouged. Hither are a few techniques for handling these imperfections—and some tips for keeping them from happening in the beginning place.

Photograph: shutterstock.com

Q: I have various scratches on my forest floors. Some add character, simply some are simply too large and need to get abroad. What is the easiest style to set scratches on hardwood floors without causing any lasting damage?

A: You lot have several options at your disposal. The best method to apply depends on the type of scratches y'all are dealing with. Non all methods are piece of cake—particularly when it comes to repairing deep, wide gouges—but all are within the power of do-it-yourselfers with even intermediate skills and a modest level of experience with such projects.

Repairing Light Scratches on Hardwood Floors

Employ wax or acrylic floor shine over calorie-free scratches in hardwood floors, simply take circumspection: Over time, such polishes tin dull and darken the floor, eventually requiring removal. That's never an easy task; it involves powerful cleaning agents (for instance, mineral spirits and ammonia) and no small quantity of elbow grease.

Alternatively, coat floors with a product specially formulated to renew the wood—Bona Pro Series Hardwood Flooring Refresher (view on Amazon), for example, or Minwax Hardwood Floor Reviver (view on Amazon). Sanding isn't required, but to achieve best results, you must thoroughly clean the floor prior to application. Also, allow ample time for the finish to dry. Plan to reapply the product every several months and always refrain from using any such handling on wood laminate or factory-finished floors.

Photograph: minwax.com

Dealing with Deeply Scratched Wood Flooring

If a scratch has penetrated deep enough to betrayal bare wood, there's a low-attempt way to conceal the imperfection: Simply fill it in with a stain that matches the flooring color. Stain markers and blending pencils are usually available in a range of tones (view on The Home Depot), only traditional wood stain works every bit well. Utilize it with a small castor or fifty-fifty a cotton swab—but be sure to wipe away whatever backlog earlier it has the chance to dry.

Photo: minwax.com

Filling and Refinishing Deep, Broad Gouges

To address a deep, wide gouge, opt for a precolored latex wood filler, i that closely matches the color of your hardwood. Use the wood filler with a plastic putty knife, which is the tool least likely to cause whatsoever further impairment to the floor. Once the filler has dried completely, use fine-grit sandpaper to level the surface so that no departure in elevation exists between the patch and its surrounding surface area. Finally, apply varnish (thinned with 10 or 20 percent turpentine) equally a coating over the repair.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Preventing Scratches on Hardwood Floors

Whether from pets or children, boots or rolling furniture, unprotected woods floors are near certain to go scratched. If you're committed to keeping your hardwoods in tip-elevation shape, consider the post-obit tried-and-true methods of safeguarding wood against the almost common threats to its flawlessness:

• Position cobweb doormats near all exterior doors, equally tracked-in clay and dust are the enemy of beautiful, pristine hardwood floors.
• Encourage friends and family to remove their shoes upon entering the house—particularly women in high heels!
• Sweep often in club to contain any dirt or dust that manages to sneak in despite your best attempts at barring its entry.
• If you are going to slide furniture across a wood floor, always place felt protective pads under its legs (or utilize a slice of leftover rug, soft side downwards).
• Restrict medium- and large-size dogs from all rooms with hardwood flooring, or be sure to ever go on their nails neatly trimmed.

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-fix-scratches-on-hardwood-floors/

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