Hardwood floors are a beautiful and valuable addition to any home, but they’re not immune to wear and tear. Even the most well-maintained hardwood surfaces get scratched up over time because of foot traffic, pet claws, and furniture.
The good news is that you can repair many of these scratches yourself without calling in a professional and we’ll show you how to assess the damage, repair hardwood flooring scratches of varying severity, and prevent future damage.
Repairing Scratches in Your Floor
Once you assess the damage, then it’s time to tackle the repairs.
Read More: How Much Does Sagging Floor Repair Cost?
1. Clean the Affected Area
Clean the scratched area thoroughly before starting the repair because this can sometimes be enough to minimize the appearance of very light scratches.
To clean the area:
- Sweep or vacuum to remove loose debris that may complicate the repair process.
- Mix a few drops of mild soap with a quart of warm water to create a gentle cleaning solution.
- Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and gently clean the scratched area, focusing on removing any surface-level dirt.
- Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth to stop moisture from seeping into the wood grain.
2. Use Natural Oils for Light Scratches
Natural oils can be an effective and easy fix for minor surface scratches. These oils can blend the scratch with the surrounding wood and restore some shine, as well as revitalize the appearance of high-traffic areas with minimal expense.
To use natural oils:
- Clean the scratched area thoroughly.
- Dab a small amount of walnut, coconut, or olive oil onto the scratch, gently covering the entire affected section.
- Use a soft cloth to rub in the oil in circular motions, aiming for a uniform finish.
- Buff the treated area with a clean, dry cloth to remove excess oil and enhance the sheen.
3. Apply Wood Stain or Markers
You can use wood stains or markers for slightly deeper scratches or those that have affected the wood’s color. The range of available shades lets you match the repair to the floor’s original color and camouflage the damage.
To use wood stain or markers:
- Clean the scratched area to remove excess dirt or oil.
- Select a stain or marker that closely matches your floor, testing it in an inconspicuous area first.
- Carefully apply the stain or marker to the scratch, following the wood grain for a natural look.
- Use a clean cloth to wipe away any excess, which will allow the area to dry completely before reassessment.
4. Use Wood Filler for Deep Scratches
Wood filler is the best option for deeper scratches and small gouges. You can use it to fill in the damaged area and then sand it smooth to blend with the surrounding floor.
To use wood filler:
- Thoroughly clean the damaged area to ensure the filler adheres properly.
- Use a putty knife to apply wood filler generously to the scratch or gouge.
- Allow ample time for the filler to dry as per the product’s instructions.
- Carefully sand the filled area to match the surrounding floor’s texture.
- If necessary, apply a matching wood stain to match the existing floor.
- Apply a protective coating identical to the rest of the floor to seal the repair.
5. Consider Professional Refinishing
Professional refinishing may be your best option for extensive damage or if DIY methods aren’t getting the results you want. A professional will sand down the entire floor to remove all scratches before applying a new finish. While more costly and time-consuming, professional refinishing can make hardwood floors look like new again. This is recommended for older floors with widespread damage, as it will result in a like-new finish.
6. Preventing Future Damage
With the cost of hardwood flooring, you don’t want to be refinishing or replacing it every year. So follow our recommendations above to keep your floor scratch-free for as long as possible.
Keeping a scratch repair kit on hand can also help address minor damage quickly before it worsens; this kit should include fine-grit sandpaper, microfiber cloths, wood stain markers in matching colors, wood filler, and a protective finish.
Common Causes of Scratches on Hardwood Floors
Knowing what causes scratches on hardwood floors can help you prevent future damage, along with maintaining your floors more effectively.
Furniture Movement
One of the most frequent causes of hardwood floor scratches is moving furniture, as sliding heavy pieces across the floor without appropriate precautions can lead to deep gouges and scratches. Small, frequent movements of lighter furniture can also cause noticeable damage over time.
Use felt or cork pads underneath furniture legs and lift furniture when moving it, rather than dragging it across the floor. Strategically placed area rugs beneath heavy furniture can act as a buffer between the floor and the legs.
Pet Activity
While pets bring joy to a home, their claws can wreak havoc on hardwood floors. Dogs and cats can cause visible surface scratches as they run and play, so routinely trim your pets’ nails to minimize scratches, and use rugs in areas where they frequently play or walk. Some pet owners go the extra mile with pet booties, which provide excellent floor protection during indoor play.
Read More: The 5 Best Flooring for Dogs
Shoe Wear
Shoes, especially those with hard soles or high heels, can cause significant damage to hardwood floors. Shoes carry grit and debris on their bottoms, which act like sandpaper and wear away the floor’s finish. So try implementing a “no shoes indoors” policy. You can also place doormats at entrances to catch debris, as well as cleaning consistently to remove any grit that does make it inside.
Assessing the Level of Damage
Assess the severity of the scratches before attempting any repairs, which will help determine the most appropriate repair method.
Surface Scratches
Surface scratches are the most common and the easiest to repair because they only affect the floor’s finish and don’t penetrate the wood itself. They often appear as light marks or scuffs on the surface and may only be visible in certain lights or from specific angles.
Surface scratches are much easier to handle compared to deeper issues since you can manage most minor marks without specialized tools or techniques.
Deep Scratches
Deep scratches go beyond the finish and into the wood itself, which require more intensive repairs. While they’re more serious than surface scratches, you can usually fix them with just a little more effort and different materials.
Gouges
Gouges are the most severe form of damage, as they indicate that the wood is damaged below the surface level. They appear as recessed areas or holes in the wood and typically require professional attention or significant DIY effort to repair properly.
Gouges can be intimidating to tackle and often require specialized products or tools, so assess the depth and extent of the gouge to guide your repair approach.
When to Call a Professional
You can repair many hardwood floor scratches at home, but certain situations will call for professional intervention. So consider contacting a flooring expert if:
- The damage is extensive or covers a large area and makes individual repairs impractical.
- There are deep gouges or structural damage that could compromise the floor’s integrity.
- You’ve refinished the floor multiple times already.
- You’re unsure about the type of finish on your floor.
- DIY repairs aren’t achieving the desired results, especially when matching stain colors or addressing multiple types of damage.
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