5 Hardwood Floor Repairs You Can Do Yourself
There’s no denying the natural beauty and versatile appeal of hardwood floors. This timeless flooring material enhances any room in your home. With proper maintenance, hardwood can last for decades. Key to longevity is regular care. To keep your floors looking great and lasting longer, you’ll need to stay on top of cleaning, restoring, and repairing them as needed.
Remember, the care and maintenance of prefinished wood flooring differ from unfinished wood. If you have questions about caring for hardwoods, our team is here to help! We also offer a range of eco-friendly cleaning and maintenance supplies for various flooring types.
Could your planks use some sprucing up? Want to tackle the project yourself? Our Portland flooring company has you covered with updated DIY hardwood floor repair tips and guidance.
How to Repair Hardwood Floors
Repairing your wood floors not only improves their appearance but also extends their lifespan. Here’s how to patch, mend, fix, and refinish your hardwood floors:
Patching Hardwood Floors
For gaps or damaged planks, you can glue or nail down new wood to patch the area. Whether replacing one or more entire boards or filling in narrow gaps with small pieces, the key is to find something that matches your existing floors. If you can’t find a prefinished piece that blends in, finish it with a complementary shade.
Mending Scratched or Dented Planks
Wood fillers are perfect for mending scratched or dented floors. Depending on the product and the size of the imperfections, apply the filler with a putty knife or directly from the tube, then smooth it out. Once it dries, sand it just like real wood and apply a finish.
Repairing Cracks and Fractures
You can fix minor splits and fractures with epoxy (wood glue) and filler. Fill the crack with epoxy, then apply the filler to help conceal it. Allow both to dry and harden completely before sanding and finishing the area.
Fixing Squeaky Boards
To fix squeaky planks, you’ll need shims and potentially a solid piece of lumber. Wedge the shims between the subfloor and the joists, gently hammering them into place. If multiple boards are squeaking, secure them with a piece of lumber (also known as a cleat). This will prevent the planks from moving up and down and rubbing against one another, which is what causes the creaky, whistling sound.
Refinishing Peeling Hardwoods
For peeling hardwoods, sanding is essential. Sand the planks to bare wood, removing any finish or sealant causing the issue. Then, refinish your floors with a more durable aluminum-oxide or acid-cured finish.
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Floors?
Hardwood floor refinishing, patching, and filling can be effective, but there comes a time when even the best-maintained floors need replacing. If your floors are several decades old and damaged in multiple areas, the issue might be more than cosmetic.
Signs your hardwoods should be replaced include:
- Excessive creaking or movement in several places
- Numerous holes or large scratches
- Protruding nails
- Discoloration
- Floors refinished or sanded down more than 10 times
- Warped planks, rotting wood, or significant water damage
Solid hardwoods and engineered wood planks are long-lasting but not very moisture-resistant. Substantial water damage often means replacement is the only option.
Where to Buy Hardwood Flooring in Portland, Oregon
If you’re unsure whether to fix or replace your hardwoods, the pros at our Portland flooring company are here to help. Bring photos of your floors to our Pearl District showroom for an honest, helpful assessment.
Floor Factors champions DIYers, offering expert advice and all the supplies needed for various projects. If you’d rather hire a professional, you can count on affordable, trustworthy service from our experienced team.
We carry a variety of real hardwood flooring materials and budget-friendly synthetic alternatives from the industry’s best manufacturers. As a one-stop-shop, Floor Factors also offers demolition, installation, and personalized design consulting services for our residential clients. Stop by our showroom to get started.