7 Signs It’s Time for Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Did you know that the North American wood flooring market is expected to grow 1.5% by 2027? Hardwood floors are increasing in popularity, which also means that owners will have to learn about refinishing. 

You may be asking, “what are these signs?” Hardwood flooring displays the same aging process as uncut wood, and you’ll notice the difference in your floors after a few years. 

If you’re interested in knowing when it is time to refinish your hardwood floors, then keep reading!

1. Scratches

Scratches on your wood flooring are common and, some may say, unavoidable. No matter how you try to prevent it, scratches will happen. 

But there is a difference between minor scratches and gouges. 

It is important to see how many scratches you have. If you have a few scratches for every 10 feet of space, then rugs can solve the problem.

If you have major scratches in every area of your hardwood flooring, then it may be time to consider refinishing. 

2. Color Dullness

If your wood flooring is exposed to sunlight, its color will eventually fade. UV rays do not have the best effect on hardwood flooring. You will see this mostly in areas with large windows.

Even if you use the best wood floor treatments, the only way to solve this is by sanding. 

It is important to sand first to remove the top layer. Once sanded, you can apply a new stain. 

3. Boards are Turning Grey

When wood absorbs water, it oxidizes. This means that your hardwood flooring may take on a darker color. Air and sunlight, as previously mentioned, can also cause oxidization. 

If you spill any drinks or drag in water from the snow, the wood will soak it up like a sponge. Oxidization is unavoidable, but refinishing fixes it. 

4. Boards are Turning Black

When your boards turn grey, it should be a warning sign because the next step will be black. If your wood flooring turns black, you have a few options.

Black will show up in spots rather than taking on the entire plank. This is due to water damage. If you’re uncomfortable with the black spots on your wood, then you can replace the individual boards and stain them to match the rest.

Of course, if you’re doing a bathroom or a kitchen remodel, you may want to install entirely new floors anyway. 

The second option would be to stain the wood dark enough to hide the black. This is for floors that do not have too many black spots. It is a money saver but must be used wisely. 

5. Water Damage

Seeing black spots on your boards is a sign of water damage, but so is the separation and cupping of the boards. Water damage can happen from pets, floods, leaky plumbing, and more.

Cupping is when your boards rise to form a rounded shape. They can cave inward or create a bump upward on the flat surface. 

If your boards only have a small amount of cupping, it can be sanded out. But if your planks are popping out or there is major separation, it is best to replace that section of your hardwood flooring. 

6. Cleaning Doesn’t Help

If you’re noticing discoloration and scratches, your first instinct may be to try and clean your floors. But what if that’s not working?

One of the easiest indicators of knowing when it’s time to get your hardwood flooring refinished is when cleaning doesn’t help. Though some treatments may make little difference, they’re only putting a bandage on the problem.