When your floors are stained or discolored – it’s time to refinish your hardwood floors.
The combined elegance and warmth of well-finished hardwood floors can be incomparable, with a beauty that can be long-lasting. However, that beauty only lasts as long as you plan regular maintenance to keep them nice and polished. Learn to see the five signs that it’s time to refinish your hardwood floors.
There are Surface Scratches
A few light scratches are not something to worry about; you can always cover them with furniture or a nice rug! But if you start to notice deeper scratches or a large amount of them, it might be time to resand and refinish your hardwood floors. This is especially true if you have darker stained floors, as the scratches become more visible due to the color.
Hardwood Boards Are Losing Color
When you notice some of the boards are becoming gray, this means you need to refinish your flooring as soon as possible. The graying occurs when the layer of polyurethane wears off, leaving the boards unprotected from moisture. As the wood starts to absorb water, it will oxidize and become gray. If you don’t act quickly, this process will continue until the floor is blackened, and you will need to install new floorings.
Boards Have Become Black
Blackened boards usually mean irreparable damage, but if the black spots are limited to small areas, you might consider re-staining the flooring to a darker color to hide the stains when refinishing your hardwood floors. You may also replace only the affected area, which will allow you to use the color you prefer for your flooring.
Water Damage
Damage caused by moisture can show itself in many forms. If you start to notice some slight cupping of the boards, sanding and refinishing your hardwood floors will fix it. In the case of big dark spots or severely separated boards, a partial or full replacement might be needed to recover the flooring.
Discoloration and Fading
The colors of your floor may start to look dull, especially close to windows with lots of natural sunlight. You can resand and refinish your hardwood floors to give them a new life with a new stain for a revitalized glossy color.
In this scenario, you may also opt for a less invasive renovation and go for a simple screen and recoat to refresh your flooring. Remember this is preventative maintenance and only works if you do it before getting any severe scratches.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? Trust John K Eareckson & Co.
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co., Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information, visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also look for us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.