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Hardwood Floor Repair Service

Wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they can take a beating over time. From scratches and dents to water damage and mold, our hardwood floors often need some extra care to keep them looking their best. We understand the importance of maintaining the beauty and value of your home, which is why we're here to help you navigate through the process of a wood floor repair.

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We'll explore the common types of damage that can affect hardwood floors, including scratches, water damage, and mold issues. We'll also dive into the professional techniques used to fix these problems and restore your floors to their former selves. Moreover, we'll discuss the benefits of choosing professional wood floor repair service. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how to address your wood floor repair concerns and keep your home looking its best.

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Common Types of Wood Floor Damage

Scratches and Dents

One of the most common issues we come across is surface damage in the form of scratches and dents. These imperfections can occur due to everyday wear and tear, pet claws, or moving furniture. Scratches can range from fine lines to deeper grooves, while dents appear as slight depressions in the wood.

To address minor scratches, we often recommend using a wood floor polishing product and a soft cloth. Gently buffing the affected area in the direction of the wood grain can help conceal light surface scratches. For deeper scratches or gouges, sanding and refinishing might be necessary. This process involves carefully sanding the damaged area, applying a matching wood stain, and finishing with a protective polyurethane coating.

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Water Damage

Water damage is a serious threat to hardwood floors and can have long-lasting effects if not addressed promptly. We always stress the importance of quick action when water damage is suspected. Signs of water damage include discoloration, cupping, warping, or a musty odor.

Preventing water damage can be challenging, but being vigilant about potential sources can help mitigate the issue. Common culprits include:

  1. Leaky ceilings

  2. Plumbing leaks or drippy faucets

  3. Tracked-in rain or snow

  4. Pet water bowl splashes

When water damage occurs, it can lead to more severe problems like mold growth. Mold can proliferate beneath the surface, in subflooring, framing, or sheathing, accelerating the decay process and potentially rendering the floor unusable.

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Gaps Between Boards

Wood is sensitive to changes in humidity, expanding in high humidity and contracting in dry conditions. These fluctuations can lead to gaps between floorboards. While some separation between boards is normal, especially during certain seasons, abnormally wide gaps may indicate improper installation or excessive moisture changes.

To minimize this issue, we recommend maintaining a consistent indoor humidity level using humidifiers or dehumidifiers. Ideally, relative humidity should be kept between 35-45 percent to help prevent excessive expansion or contraction of the wood.

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Cupping and Crowning

Cupping and crowning are two common forms of wood floor damage that result from moisture imbalances.

Cupping occurs when the edges of wood planks curve up higher than their center, creating a concave shape. This typically happens when there's more moisture underneath the floor than above it. The wood absorbs the excess moisture and expands, causing the edges to rise.

Crowning, on the other hand, is the opposite of cupping. It happens when the centers of the wood planks bulge higher than their edges. This can be caused by excessive moisture on the surface of the floor, often due to high humidity or spills left unattended for extended periods.

Both cupping and crowning can sometimes resolve on their own if the moisture levels equalize. However, in cases of severe water damage or prolonged exposure to moisture, professional intervention may be necessary to restore the floor's appearance and structural integrity.

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Professional Wood Floor Repair Techniques

Sanding and Refinishing

Sanding and refinishing is a comprehensive method we use to rejuvenate worn or damaged hardwood floors. This process involves:

  1. Preparing the room by removing furniture and sealing air vents to prevent dust spread.

  2. Using a drum sander to remove the old finish and level the floor, starting with coarse-grit sandpaper and progressing to finer grits.

  3. Employing an edger sander for areas near walls and corners.

  4. Vacuuming and tacking between each grit change to ensure a smooth finish.

After sanding, we apply stain if desired, followed by multiple coats of protective finish, typically polyurethane. This process can address deep scratches, gouges, and significant surface damage, making it ideal for floors that need a complete restoration.

Board Replacement

For severely damaged boards, replacement is often the best solution. Our board replacement process includes:

  1. Carefully removing the damaged board without affecting surrounding planks.

  2. Cutting a new piece of flooring to match the existing floor in species, width, thickness, and color.

  3. Ensuring proper acclimation of the new board to match the moisture content of the existing floor.

  4. Modifying the new board to fit seamlessly into the existing floor structure.

  5. Securing the new board with adhesive and, if necessary, face-nailing.

This technique is particularly valuable for historical floors or when dealing with isolated areas of severe damage.

Filling and Patching

For smaller imperfections, we use filling and patching techniques:

  1. Cleaning the damaged area thoroughly.

  2. Applying wood filler to small scratches, dents, or gaps, slightly overfilling the area.

  3. Once dry, sanding the filler flush with the surrounding wood.

  4. Staining and finishing the repaired area to match the existing floor.

This method is effective for addressing minor damage without the need for full board replacement or refinishing.

Recoating

When the floor's finish is worn but the wood itself is in good condition, we often recommend recoating:

  1. Lightly sanding the existing finish to create a bonding surface.

  2. Thoroughly cleaning the floor to remove all dust and debris.

  3. Applying a new coat of finish to restore protection and shine.

This technique can significantly extend the life of your hardwood floor and is less invasive than full refinishing.

By employing these professional techniques, we can address a wide range of hardwood floor issues, from minor scratches to major damage, ensuring your floors look their best for years to come.

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