Consider Hardwood Floor Refinishing If Your Floors Are Damaged
Hardwood floors look great, but over time they tend to lose their luster. This loss of glossy finish is due to the common wear and tear of movement in homes. In an older city like Ottawa, hardwood floors are not only beautiful, they’re surprisingly common. If your floors are looking dull and damaged, it might be time to contact a hardwood floor refinishing expert in Ottawa for a consultation. Here are some of the most common types of hardwood floor damage to look for if you are considering refinishing your floors:
Burns
Burns on hardwood floors are common near fireplaces and even in kitchens. Some burns are small enough to ignore and won’t mar your flooring. If a burning log falls out of your fireplace, though, leaving a giant black mark on your living room floor, then you should consider refinishing your floor.
Cleaning
Although there are specific gentle cleaning methods for hardwood floors, a food or red wine spill might make someone wipe and scrub the floor while using too much water. Cleaning floors with scrubbing can wear down the hardwood finish over time, and too much water can cause mold and water damage.
Dents
When something heavy is dropped on hardwood floors, it will probably leave a dent. Some dents aren’t as noticeable as others. However, dents can damage the finish, leaving the hardwood floor exposed to more damage.
Pets
Pets can damage hardwood floors with their nails and with accidents. Running and playing can lead to nails scratching the finish. If a puppy has a favourite spot for house training, dark stains can spread on the floor, and it will need to be refinished.
Scratches
Scratches are the most common type of damage to hardwood floors. The main cause of scratches is moving heavy furniture and appliances. Shoes—especially high heels—are another common cause of scratches. If your floor is scratched up enough, the finish may no longer be protecting the hardwood.
Test Your Floors
If you are unsure of whether or not your hardwood floors need refinishing, there is a test to see if the finish is damaged on your floors. To test the finish on your floors, pour a few drops of water on the area in question. If it takes a few minutes for the water to seep in, or if the water just beads on top, then it is not necessary to refinish your floors. But, if the water seeps in right away, then your floors need to be refinished because they are no longer protected.
Before you start to refinish your floors, you should determine whether your floors are ¾-inch solid hardwood or engineered hardwood by looking along a baseboard or inside a vent. If your floors are engineered hardwood, they can be damaged easily, so they should only be refinished by a hardwood floor refinishing expert. For any information, or to book a consultation, call the experts in hardwood floor refinishing in Ottawa.
