Hardwood is an excellent choice when it comes to installing flooring in a commercial or a residential space. Hardwood floors offer durability, stability, and an elevated, timeless aesthetic that will stand the test of time and add value to any space. When properly cleaned and cared for, hardwood can last for decades.
However, depending on the level of traffic, furniture, climate and relative humidity, hardwood floors can start to show signs of damage. At this point, a professional may recommend sanding and refinishing the floors to bring them back to their initial state. But when is it time to refinish hardwood flooring? Many homeowners and commercial owners aren’t sure how often they should refinish their hardwood floors, so it’s up to an industry professional to offer tips and insight into what to look for and how to spot the telling signs that it’s time for a revamp.
Signs that hardwood floors need to be refinished
As a professional, you want to offer your clients advice and tips on how to extend the lifespan of their hardwood floors. By using the right cleaning products, protecting the floor with rugs, carpets, and shielding it from sunlight and water damage, hardwood flooring can stay in top shape for many years.
However, even if there are no obvious signs of damage, hardwood floors should be sanded and coated with a fresh layer of finish every five years or so – the timeline will depend on the state of the wood and the level of traffic. But when there are clear signs of damage, that means it’s time for the floors to be refinished. So, what are those signs, exactly?
Water damage
A tell-tale sign that it’s time for hardwood floors to be refinished is water damage. Sometimes, water damage is obvious on the surface of the wood, through water spills that absorb into the wood and cause it to change color or become warped. Other times, however, water damage hides below the surface of the wood, causing distortions like crowning, cupping, or even buckling in severe cases.
If any type of flooding or severe spillage has taken place recently, then it’s best to have a professional check the hardwood flooring for damage and schedule a refinishing job as soon as possible. Allowing the water to seep into the floors can cause the wood to become frail and even rot, in which case it will ultimately have to be replaced entirely. That’s definitely something you will want to avoid.
Excessive scratches
Another sign that hardwood floors need to be refinished is when the surface of the wood presents with obvious scratches, dents, or cracks that don’t go away through cleaning. If the hardwood is installed in a high-traffic area, where there is a lot of furniture, where there are children or pets or people walking around in high heels, it will be prone to scratching and require sanding and refinishing.
Clients should get in touch with a flooring professional as soon as possible, especially if they spot deep scratches, gauges, large cracks or splintering of the wood, as this type of damage can allow dust, debris, and water to infiltrate deep into the wood and cause further, irreparable damage.
Sun damage
Many clients don’t realize that exposure to sunlight can also cause visible surface damage to hardwood floors. The signs of sun damage include yellowing of the wood, discoloration, or a dull look – all signs that it’s time to refinish the floors.
While yellowing is quite common when the hardwood has been exposed to constant sunlight, graying of the wood is a sign that the top coat of finish is wearing off, leaving the hardwood exposed and vulnerable, so refinishing is necessary to protect it and bring it back in top shape. If gray wood is not repaired and refinished, it can eventually oxidize and turn black in color, and that’s not something that your clients want.
These are just some of the signs that it’s time for hardwood floors to be refinished, signs that your clients can look out for. Obvious damage like cupping, warping, buckling, or severe water damage, deep cracks or holes, needs to be fixed right away to protect the wood from further damage, so your clients should contact a professional as soon as they spot these issues.
For more tips on hardwood flooring, follow the First Atlanta Flooring blog, and reach out to us with any questions about our products and services; we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
