Flooring suffers a lot of punishment from everyday use and eventually breaks down or needs repairs. A few minor squeaks can be easily fixed, but water damage and stains are more serious problems that often necessitate replacing the damaged floors.
Dents in finished wood floor can be repaired by simply adding a little water to the affected area. The varnish may turn blue, but this is a normal process called blushing and will return to its typical color after the floor is dry.
Damaged Planks
Damaged planks can be a major eyesore and they also create a tripping hazard for you and your guests. Fortunately, it is quite easy to replace laminate floor planks, but the process does take a bit of time and patience. First, you need to clear the area around the damaged plank and remove any furniture or rugs that may be in the way. Then, you can drill a 1/2″ hole into the short and long sides of the damaged plank. This will disconnect the tongue of the plank from its groove and allow you to pull it out of the way.
Next, you need to get a replacement plank that is the same color and style as the damaged plank. Apply a bead of flooring adhesive to the trimmed edges of the new plank and slide it into place. If needed, use a mallet or hammer to tap the plank into place and to prevent it from becoming detached from its neighboring floor boards. Finally, distribute some weight over the new plank until the glue dries completely.
If the damage is a small scratch, you can often camouflage it by applying wood filler or putty that matches the color of your floor. Once the filler is dried, you can sand the surface lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper.
Water Damage
Water damage caused by flooding, burst pipes or heavy rainfall can require a lot of work. A good restoration contractor will use fans and dehumidifiers to get the moisture out of drywall, carpet and wood, minimizing the amount of work and the cost needed for repairs.
Moisture that is not removed from building materials quickly leads to a host of problems. Porous materials like linoleum, carpet and fabric will shrink or warp once they absorb too much moisture. This moisture can also lead to mold and mildew growth that is unhealthy for you and your family.
The first few hours after a water loss are critical when it comes to addressing the damage. Wood will begin to absorb moisture within 24 hours and can start to swell, leading to serious structural problems in your home. This is why it is important to have a team of professionals on the job site to assess the damage and act fast.
Typically, class 1 (clean) water and category 2 (gray water that poses a slight health risk) can be salvaged. However, rotting wood and damaged drywall must be removed. Once the affected materials have been dried and disinfected, you can get back to living in your home.
Stains
Commercial spaces have many opportunities for spills and messes that need to be dealt with promptly. If not, they can be a safety hazard as well as a significant damage to flooring. The best way to prevent these stains is by making sure that the flooring is treated with the right kind of finish and regularly cared for. But if a stain does happen, there are ways to mitigate it without causing irreparable damage.
For stains caused by non-greasy items like red wine or nail polish, you can use a commercial floor wax that’s suitable for your flooring to help get it out. For greasy stains that are on surface-finished flooring, you can soak a cotton cloth in hydrogen peroxide and then lay it over the stain and dry it thoroughly. You can also try using a kitchen soap with a high lye content to treat greasy stains on hardwood floors.
You can also try using a magic eraser or other foam sponge to gently abrade the surface of a set-in stain without doing any physical damage to the flooring itself. If you still can’t get the stain out, there are some commercial cleaning products that are effective at removing set-in stains from wood floors. For example, white vinegar can be used to remove dye stains, while chlorine bleach and mineral spirits can help with other types of stains.
Scratches
Wood floors can become scratched by anything from pets, hard-soled shoes or furniture. A good, regular sanding with fine-grit paper can smooth out scratches in most cases, but you might need to go a bit deeper with some wood filler for deep, wide and long scratches. Choose a stainable filler that closely matches your floor color and apply it with a plastic putty knife to the scratch. Sand the spackled area lightly, then use mineral spirits to wipe off any remaining dust and buff. Stain the spot to match your floors, then re-seal with a urethane finish.
If you have a few superficial scratches or shallow gouges in your floor, try using a blending pencil or marker for quick and easy repairs. These products typically cost less than a touch-up wax stick and can be found at most home improvement stores. Blend a couple of shades to make it look like the rest of your wood and you’re done!
For more extensive damage, consider sanding down the affected area and refinishing your floors to bring them back to their original state. This will take the most time and effort, but it is also a very effective way to completely repair wood floors. Before sanding, make sure to vacuum the floor and clean the area surrounding the scratch, then carefully sand the damaged surface to remove any deep marks and blemishes.