Common Hardwood Flooring Repairs

Hardwood flooring is among the most well-known, often-used and luxurious floor types. From dark, rich pines to elegant maple or oak, wood floors offer a full range of choices for any room in your house that, with proper care, can last for generations. Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions, your hardwood floor may need occasional repairs. ScratchesrnMinor scratches in hardwood flooring can be filled with a small amount of wood putty or even disguised with a crayon. Severe scratches, however, may require the entire floor to be refinished, depending on depth, length and breadth. LoosenessrnLoose planks slide either horizontally or vertically along the floor plane. If you have only a few loose planks, nail them to the sub-floor for stability. If you have a larger number of loose planks, you could have a poorly installed floor, and it may need to be reinstalled or replaced, depending on edge damage.rnCracksrnCracks occur in hardwood floors when the wood becomes extremely dry. Minor cracks can be repaired with angled nails and wood putty, but if the damage is severe, you may have to refinish the entire floor or replace the damaged floor board. GapsrnGaps between planks appear as wood shrinks. Some gap space is optimal; it allows natural swelling of the boards from humidity. Larger gaps, however, can cause too much sliding between boards and create splinters and cracks. When you first notice gaps, the best action you can take is to wait and watch. The maximum gap should be the width of a dime. If the gaps do not close as the humidity rates and seasons change, you may have to tighten the flooring. In extreme cases, you may have to reinstall or replace the flooring altogether. WarpsrnHardwood flooring warps or sags when the outside edges curl up, and the center of the planks seem to sink. One of the most serious of hardwood floor problems, you have too much moisture in the wood. Unfortunately, the flooring will need to be replaced but only after you address the moisture problem. Carefully inspect the sub-flooring for moisture damage, too. If it is still in good shape, install moisture-repelling insulation before you install a new floor to repel moisture rising from the ground. Strongly consider dehumidifying the environment to help eliminate extra moisture in the air that soaks into the wood.