Wood floors have long been the top choice for American homes, and it’s not really hard to see why. Their classic look is one that lasts for generations and fits in with any décor theme, from old country to contemporary chic. But as any flooring guide will tell you, it all comes at a price: not only does a wood floor cost more, it also takes a good deal of work to maintain. Although most people find it worth the trouble, many end up spending more than they should in maintenance—and sometimes with unsatisfactory results.
That’s why your first question when choosing a wood floor is whether you can handle the upkeep. For one thing, you may need to spend at least ten minutes a day sweeping up dust from the floor, and an occasional sanding or resealing to keep it looking like new. Otherwise, your wood floor will give in to regular use faster than you realize. You don’t need professional help to maintain a wood floor—in fact, much of the work can be done even by beginners. Here’s a quick maintenance guide to help you get started.
Replacing damaged floorboards
The first thing to remember in hardwood floor repair is that it’s hardly worth it to patch up a broken floor. Often, it’s more practical to replace the entire floorboard than repair the damage. Although it seems localized, simply patching it up won’t keep the damage from spreading to neighboring floorboards. To avoid bigger problems later on, replace your floorboard as soon as you see signs of damage. As they like to say, it’s better to act too early than too late.
Older tongue-and-groove floorboards take a bit more work than newer ones, which are made to simply click in place. If you’re using the former, the safest way is to cut the board completely down the center using a circular saw. This reduces the risk of scratching the other floorboards in the process. Once it’s cut through, simply pry the halves away from the tongue and groove structure. While it’s open, check for other signs of damage before installing the new board.
Regular sanding
Wood floors always look their best when smoothed to bring out their natural luster. But unless it’s covered in carpet (which defeats the purpose), the shiny surface will wear out over time. That’s why you need regular sanding to get rid of the stains, dirt and mud that accumulate with constant foot traffic before applying a new seal. Anyone can learn how to sand a wood floor, so you don’t need to call in the pros when your wood floors start looking old. This is best done with a belt sander, which covers more surface area and creates a more even finish.
Before starting, make sure to remove all the nails, screw heads, and other protrusions on the floor. The belt can snag on them and tear, or even destroy the machine itself. You can hammer them in or pull them out; if you choose the latter, make sure to close up the holes with wood-colored filler. Most floors require an initial sanding with coarse paper and a “finisher” using a finer belt, which smoothes out the imperfections.
Fixing cracked floors
Most wood floors will get some form of cracking at one point. This isn’t necessarily because it’s a weak material. The reason is that as temperatures change with the climate, the wood contracts and expands, and the limited space puts internal pressure on the floorboards. Some manufacturers “acclimatize” wood by subjecting it to extreme temperatures prior to installation, but this doesn’t completely protect against wood floor cracking.
The best you can do is watch for signs of expansion so you can patch up the damage as soon as possible. If the timber starts to crease close to the edges, it’s usually a sign that it’s starting to expand. Once you see these signs, check the surrounding area for any source of dampness or moisture, such as a leaking sink, and seal it up before resealing the cracked part. Again, the earlier you see and fix the crack, the better your patch will work.
Removing stains
Stains are the most common form of damage on wood floors, and luckily, they’re also the easiest to fix. Most food stains can be removed with gentle scrubbing and sanding. However, when you want to remove paint or lacquer, you’ll need specialized paint strippers or thinners. If you don’t know how to remove paint from wood, you may want to ask a friend who does to help you, as the wrong products can cause permanent damage to your floor.
When using a paint stripper, make sure to cover the underlying surface with newspapers of scrap fabric. The chemical content is strong enough to burn skin, and you don’t want anyone stepping on freshly applied layer. It also burns through the brush bristles, so use an old brush you can dispose of after.
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