No matter the kind of hardwood you have, it will eventually start to look less than perfect. All hardwood flooring will show some damage due to general wear and tear, which can include lighter-colored patches on well-traveled areas and slight separation among boards.
Stains and scratches are also common. Scratches may come from pets or children’s toys, whereas stains may be the result of spilled food or beverages. If cleaned up immediately, these stains may not set, but on softer woods they can sink in and cause permanent damage.
Burns and acid damage are also possible, and more common than you might think. A hot frying pan or baking sheet can leave a noticeable burn mark, especially on lighter-colored floors, and an acid like fruit juice or nail polish remover can eat away the floor’s finish. This can also happen with a base, such as bleach.
Perhaps the biggest enemy of hardwood flooring, however, is water. Leaving any amount of water on hardwood for any length of time will cause it to expand and warp, which in turn makes it harder to clean and can push other nearby boards out of alignment. A leaky dishwasher or sink, for example, can destroy large portions of a hardwood floor if the damage isn’t caught quickly enough.
Choosing how you’ll fix your hardwood depends on the scope of the work involved and the type of damage done.
If you’re dealing with small scratches or stains, do-it-yourself (DIY) may be the way to go. Start by completely cleaning the floor with an abrasive hardwood cleaning agent (sold at most hardware stores), and then use steel wool to scrub the stain or scratch. If the scratch is deep, you’ll need to use lightweight sandpaper, but make sure to rub with the grain or you’ll make the damage worse. On unvarnished floors, you’ll have to sand again after fixing the damage to smooth the surface. These kinds of minor repairs can be low-cost, but may require a significant time investment.
If your floorboards have become damaged enough to need replacement, you may want to consider hiring a professional installer. Prices to remove and replace hardwood can run from $2 to $3.50 a square foot for installation, with an addition charge for materials. Beware of contractors who offers installation for less than a dollar because their work is often less than stellar.
Critical to the replacement process is matching your existing floor and new pieces. If a large portion of your floor is damaged, it may be more cost-effective to replace its entirely, rather than piecemeal.
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on July 16, 2013
