How to Repair Scratches in Hardwood Flooring [The Ultimate Guide]

Wood floors provide beauty and value to a home—as long as they are properly cared for and preserved.

Natural wood is constantly at risk of surface wear, water stains, and other types of deeper degradation.

Preventative measures, of course, are essential: Move furniture with the help of area rugs and soft protective pads; remove shoes to the greatest extent possible, and keep pet nails clipped.

The finish on your floor serves to protect it from the effects of ordinary wear and tear, but it’s crucial to understand what kind of finish you have in order to properly maintain it.

Let’s take the example of a wood floor that was installed prior to 1970 and was almost certainly treated with varnish or shellac.

You can enhance the sheen of such a finish by applying paste or liquid wax, or by using oil.

It is possible to restore an older surface that has been damaged or worn down by using a polyurethane-based solution.

Polyurethane is a highly durable finish that is resistant to abrasion and easy to clean; however, only a water-based silicone polish should be used on polyurethane-finished floors.

To begin, determine what type of finish is currently on your floor.

With all of the numerous types of floor finishes available, it’s crucial to know which one was used on your floor so that you can match the two surfaces together properly.

There are a number of alternatives available:

• Polyurethane with an oil base
• Polyurethane with a water-based base
• Coating with wax
• Varnish
• Stain
• Coating with aluminum oxide

Scratches on Hardwood Flooring and How to Prevent Them

The expense of preventing scratches on wood floors is not prohibitively expensive.

The first step toward minimizing scratches and scuffs is to provide basic care and hardwood cleaning.

Along with cleaning out the dirt and grime, you’ll be paying close attention to the general surface, which will put you in a better position to spot any possible problems before they become worse.

Natural wood is constantly at risk of surface wear and damage, thus it is vital to take precautions to avoid this.

The expense of preventing scratches on wood floors is not prohibitively expensive.

The first step toward minimizing scratches and scuffs is to provide basic care and hardwood cleaning.

Along with cleaning out the dirt and grime, you’ll be paying close attention to the general surface, which will put you in a better position to spot any possible problems before they become worse.

Natural wood is constantly at risk of surface wear and damage, thus it is vital to take precautions to avoid this.

In-Depth Guide in Repairing Scratches in Hardwood Flooring

Scratched hardwood flooring in ancient buildings provides character and depth to the space.

However, if your own hardwood floors become scratched, you may find yourself becoming less pleased with the appearance.

Solid hardwood or engineered wood floors in residential settings are frequently scratched in glaringly evident ways.

Dog claw marks gouge from furniture legs, and hairline scratches can all stand out against otherwise pristine wood, making them more noticeable.

While heavy sanding with an electric floor sander would remove the majority of the scratches, sanding is a time-consuming and invasive process.

In addition, if you have engineered wood floors, the top layer of hardwood veneer is sometimes so thin that heavy sanding is not possible on them.

Repairs that do not require extensive sanding rely on a carefully chosen toolset of techniques that fade, mix, and color the scratches in order to diminish their contrast with the rest of the flooring.

Isolating and mending scratches in wood flooring is also a less time-consuming and less expensive alternative to sanding the entire floor, and it will assist to ensure that your hardwood floors remain in good condition for many years to come.

Examine the flooring for scuffs and Scratches.

Site-finished hardwood flooring, which is the sort of flooring that is laid unfinished and then completed in place, is less difficult to repair than pre-finished hardwood flooring, according to the manufacturer.

The protective coating on site-finished wood flooring can be sanded down rather easily.

Because of the many urethane and aluminum oxide layers in pre-finished wood flooring, it forms a thick skin that can be difficult to smooth and integrate successfully.

Remove all debris from the work environment.

Before beginning any scratch restoration work, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the wood floor in and around the region where the scratches are located.

Remove as much debris as possible from the area using a soft-bristled brush and a dustpan to prevent further damage.

After that, clean your hardwood floors with a commercial cleaning product designed for hardwood floors.

If your hardwood flooring is really dirty, opt for an oxygenated floor cleaner that will simply bubble the grime up and away from the surface of the floor.

Cleaning products containing wax, paste, or polish that are intended to protect, shine, or coat the flooring should not be used; the objective is merely to clean the flooring, not to seal it.

Then proceed to the techniques that follow to repair either fine or deeper scratches as needed.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Equipment / Instruments

• Tack cloth and a plastic putty knife are used for filling.

Materials

• #0000 is the grade Steel wool that is ultra-fine and non-soapy (for fine scratches)
• Floor color marker paste (resin-based) or stain markers in a multi-pack are available.
• sandpaper with a fine grit (for deeper scratches)
• A wood filler that is based on solvents (pre-colored or one that accepts stain; for deeper scratches)
• Choosing the right wood stain (optional; for both types of scratches)

Repairing Superficial Scratches After They Have Been Identified

A superficial scratch is one that only has a minor impact on the floor’s surface finish.

As a first step, you might try an inexpensive DIY solution that only involves two ingredients that you are almost certainly already familiar with: apple cider vinegar and olive oil.

Combine the two ingredients and use them to treat the scratch in question.

Set aside for many hours, then remove the mixture with a damp cloth.

If you don’t see any change after a few days, use the following techniques to heal the scratch:

1. Remove the scratched area with rubbing alcohol.

To ensure that the floor is completely free of dust and debris, use a soft rag and a small amount of hardwood floor cleaning.

2. Remove the cleanser by rinsing thoroughly.

After you’ve cleaned the scratched area, wet a rag with water and wipe away any remaining cleanser.

Allow it to dry.

3. Fill in the blanks with your information.

Fill in the scrape with a wax stick by rubbing it over it.

If necessary, use a plastic putty knife to press the wax down into the scratch until it fully adheres.

Wood wax can be transparent, but it is also available in a variety of wood tones.

4. Scratch the surface using a buffing cloth.

Use a clean, soft cloth to gently rub back and forth over the scratched area, buffing the wax in between each stroke.

Cleaning the scratched area with a buffing cloth will smooth out the scratched area, remove excess wax, and restore the luster of your flooring.

Repairing Minor Scratches that Have Been Identified

A slight scratch is one that has reached the surface of the wood beneath the protective coating but has not penetrated the protective coating itself.

To repair a minor scratch, simply follow these steps:

1. Remove any debris from the surface.

To remove any remaining material, use a high-quality wood cleaner.

2. Steel wool should be used on the scratch.

Only sand the scratched area, and always sand with the grain of the wood to avoid damaging the surface. Rubbing the mark across the grain will increase the size of the mark and make it more visible.

3. Scratch the surface using a buffing cloth.

Steel wool can be used to buff away the scratch until it is completely gone.

4. Make the edges a little softer.

Steel wool can be used to feather the edges of the scratch by gently rubbing it on the surface of the scrape.

Keep the amount of feathering to a bare minimum to prevent drawing attention to the location.

5. Make use of a wax stick.

Cover the scratches with a wax stick and allow them to sit for 10 minutes before removing them.

6. Buff the affected area.

Buff the area with a soft cloth to bring out the radiance of the surface.

7. Make use of paste wax.

If your floors are not coated with glossy polyurethane, follow up with a paste wax after you have used the wax stick.

The scratches will become even less obvious as a result of this. After that, rub out the scratches for a second time if necessary.

Deep Scratches and Gouges Can Be Repaired

Deep scratches and gouges on a wood floor necessitate a great deal more effort and skill than minor scratches and gouges.

If you have a floor like this, it will require sanding, repair, and refinishing. There are two options for accomplishing this.

Refinish the entire floor surface

If your entire floor is covered in scratches and gouges, this is a sensible decision.

The scratches can be removed by sanding the floor completely, but keep in mind that this will only work on actual wood floors.

When installing an engineered wood floor with a real wood surface, check to see if the wood surface has ever been sanded before.

These floors can only be sanded once or twice before the real wood is completely removed from the surface.

Unless you’re confident in your ability to complete this task on your own, it’s preferable to hire a professional.

Refinishing a section of the floor

1. Mineral spirits can be used to remove scratches from polyurethane coatings by moistening a scouring pad with the solvent.

2. The itch should be rubbed gently using the pad.

3. Allow it to dry before wiping it away.

4. Make use of colored wood putty to match the color of your floor. With the help of a plastic putty knife, insert it into the scratch.

5. After allowing the putty to harden, smooth the surface with 150 grit sandpaper.

6. Apply a fresh coat of polyurethane to the affected area to restore it.

You should refinish your flooring if polyurethane was not used on them originally.

Otherwise, utilize the same coating that is currently on them.

Putting in a New Hardwood Floor

If you’ve recently moved into a home with an old hardwood floor, or if your current hardwood floor has seen better days, you may be thinking if it’s preferable to try to repair the floor or to replace it entirely.

Running repairs can help to extend the life of a hardwood floor, but in certain circumstances, particularly where damage is broad or severe, it may not be able to restore the floor to its former splendor, and it may be more cost-effective to replace the floor entirely.

What better place to turn if you’re seeking fantastic deals on high-quality hardwood floors than Ottawa Diamond Flooring.

Clients in Ottawa and beyond have benefited from our many years of experience in supplying them with attractive flooring.

Whether you’re desperate to bring your old hardwood floor back to life or you’re looking into new flooring alternatives, we’re here to assist you in your endeavor.

Our Final Thoughts

Hardwood floors are beautiful and long-lasting, but they are not impenetrable to scratches and scuffs like other types of flooring.

While some minor scrapes might add character to a home, others can be a genuine eyesore.

Here are some examples.

When this wear and tear begins to manifest itself, it is difficult to ignore, and it may cause a great deal of anxiety for any homeowner.

Frequently Ask Questions