How to Fix Hardwood Floors When They Are Slightly Damaged

Hardwood floors are wonderful. They look good, they are beautiful. They can also get worn out from daily use. They are subject to tears, to scratches. Sometimes the varnish on hardwood floors can get worn of. Sometimes hardwood floors can warp because of weather or other factors.

When this happens, the time comes to refurbish your hardwood floors.

Fortunately, repairing or refreshing your hardwood floors is not that difficult. This is the type of project you can do all on your own. Here are some steps you need to take to complete a successful repair on a hardwood floor.

1. Clean the hardwood floor. Not just the area you need to repair, the entire surface.
2. Use hot water to clean the floor, and an abrasive substance to clean the floor. This should be something specifically created to clean hardwood floors. You can find something like this at most home improvement stores.
3. Starting in one corner of the floor, clean each area. Using a stiff brush, clean the floor with the grain, using the abrasive agent as a scrubbing assistant. Wash each section as you continue to work, cleaning with the warm water.
4. As you encounter damaged areas, use a wool pad to scrub the area. You may find that you can remove the stain or area using the wool pad.
5. Use a putty knife to remove foreign objects from your hardwood floor.
6. Sand your floor by hand. Do this to smooth out any rough surfaces. You should use a fine grain sandpaper, or use a sanding block. A home improvement agent can help you select the right type of sanding material.
7. If you need to replace a damaged floor board, find the joist located nearest to the board that you need to replace. Mark this. Typically this is located at a ninety degree angle to the hardwood. Cut the damaged region using a floorboard saw.
8. Lift the floorboard using a small piece of wood slid beneath the board. Match the board and purchase a replacement hardwood. You may be able to find a replacement at a hardwood salvage store. Cut your flooring to fit the space where you removed the damaged piece.
9. You will then need to sand the damaged floor. This will remove all varnish or paint on the damaged floor. You may be able to rent a floor sander for this. You may need to sand several times before your floor is ready for varnish.
10. Once you have finished sanding you can stain and seal your floor.