Your hardwood floors withstand a lot. Daily foot traffic, spills, scuffs, and so much more. Over time, with constant use, even the most durable hardwood floors can break down. With regular maintenance, such as resurfacing, your hardwood floors can last for years and even a lifetime. The most important thing is to recognize and understand the signs your hardwood needs to be repaired, as well as the severity of those repairs. Here’s what you need to look out for.
● Age: Hardwood floors can last years and years, but will show signs of wear. Knowing the approximate date the hardwood was installed will be a huge help in determining how much life is left in the boards. If the floor is about 20 years old, chances are you might need a panel or two replaced or a complete refinishing.
● Wear: Whether you use the room every single day or periodically, there’s going to be some kind of wear on your hardwood. From the type of shoes walking across to furniture being shifted around. Accidental scratches, dents, or cracks can happen. They should be looked at sooner rather than later to prevent more damage down the line.
● Sound: Everyone can recognize the sound of a creaky floorboard. While movies may use that sound for dramatic effect, if you hear it in your hardwood that means it needs to get repaired. The older the hardwood gets, the panels will naturally loosen which causes gaps. As weight is put on the boards, like an adult walking, the planks will rub together, which creates that creaky or squeaky sound. The boards will need to be refastened or lubricated depending on the severity to prevent even more damage. Not to mention that sound can be irritating when you get up in the middle of the night.
● Color: Even if you don’t notice any scratches or dents, the color is a huge indication that a repair is needed. Hardwood flooring is known for its rich colors. Usually, the wood is stained to bring out the color or pattern even more and it’s protected by a sealant. If you’re noticing the wood is discolored, dull, or fading this means the sealant has been worn away. That sealant is what protects the wood and needs to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent not just discoloring, but damage as well.
● Shape: Changes in the humidity, air pressure, temperature, and exposure to any liquids can cause the boards to warp, bend, and curve. This is probably the most severe damage out of everything on this list. Get any warped boards fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
If your hardwood floors match any points on this list contact us at Wakefield Hardwood Floors today!
