Hardwood Floor Repair

Hardwood floor is an extremely popular flooring material because of its several advantages. Firstly, it is highly durable and lasts for several years. Due to its versatility, it can be used both in homes as well as commercial premises. Its unique natural texture adds warmth and beauty to the interiors. It does not require much care and maintenance. Like any other flooring, this too is subjected to regular wear and tear which results in scratches, cracks and other forms of damage. All these problems can be tackled with some simple methods of hardwood floor repair.

Scratches
Hardwood floor scratch repair is a very easy and simple job. For this, you have to purchase a floor repair kit from the local hardware store. This kit contains a number of color cards. Select the card whose color matches with your hardwood flooring. Then the color of the card has to be activated with the help of a activating solution provided with the kit. Then apply the color over the scratches using a painter's brush. Similarly, you can use colored wax crayons that are made specially for the hardwood surface to cover up those scratch marks.

Cracks or Splits
Usually, cracks develop on the hardwood surface when it becomes excessively dry. If the gap is too wide, then it can be narrowed down a bit with the help of angled nails. Then the small crack is filled up with latex wood caulk. Insert the pointed tip of the caulk applicator into the crack and seal up the void space with the caulk material. If any excess of it is on the flooring, then wipe it off immediately with the help of a damp piece of cloth. Otherwise, if it dries up then it will be a tough task to take it out of the hardwood surface. If the size of the crack is big enough, then buy a wood putty material which is in consistent with the finish of the floor. Use a putty knife to apply it into the cracked part so that the gap is fully covered and allow it to dry. Any extra material around it should be wiped away.

Plank Replacement
When a plank of the hardwood has suffered severe damage, then it has to be replaced with a new one. The most challenging part of this repair job is to select a hardwood material which is similar in quality and texture to the existing hardwood floor. If you have some spare boards of flooring material in your home, then you do not have to worry at all. Otherwise, cut a section of the plank and visit a home improvement store to get a suitable match. You can also visit the wood flooring distributor and place an order as per your requirement and they will help you to get the right material.

Once you have procured the hardwood material, you can start the repair job. Take a circular saw and cut the damaged portion of the floor boards lengthwise, starting from the center, move downwards. Then pry out the separated part of the wood with the help of a chisel and hammer. Now measure the length of the area where new planks has to be placed. Cut the new plank with the help of a circular saw as per that measurement. Then sand the edges and bottom of the boards which will enable it to fit well along with the old planks of the floor. Now place each of the new planks one by one in the right place and fix them up with the help of flooring nails. Cover up all the nail heads with the help of wood putty.

If the planks that you have used, do not match up with the existing flooring, then you should give a new finish to the floor so that it gets an even and consistent look. If you have repaired large areas, then it is advisable to finish the entire floor. First of all, sand the floor with the help of a sander to completely to take off the existing finish of the floor and the stains and seals has to be applied.

If you hire a professional for hardwood floor repair, then it will be an expensive affair. Thus, you can save a lot of money when you are doing it yourself,. You can prevent damage on the hardwood with proper floor cleaning techniques. Keep the floor free from dirt and grit as they causes scratches. Instead of any harsh soaps, use those floor cleaners that are specifically made for hardwood floor. Do not use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar attachment on this type of flooring.