Ways to Tell That Your Hardwood Floors Need Refinishing

Hardwood floors provide a sense of elegance to your home. They also reduce the number of allergens and other indoor air pollutants in your home. As an added perk, they increase the value of your home. To get the full advantage of this, it is important that you take care of your flooring. Some scratches or discoloration might just be part of the natural look of the wood, while sometimes it means it is time for wood floor refinishing in Minneapolis. It is also common for flooring that at first glance appears in perfect health actually needs some work. The following are a few key ways that tell you that your flooring needs some work.

Consider the Traffic

When determining if you require hardwood floor refinishing in Minneapolis, start by looking closely at the areas that receive the highest traffic. These tend to be the ones that will display the wear and tear first. Although damage to the finish might occur anywhere, it helps to focus your attention on one area.

Does Water Soak Through?

One telltale sign that you require wood floor refinishing in Minneapolis is if water soaks through the boards. You might want to start by testing the areas with the most traffic, but it is also a good idea to test areas throughout the room and/or house. It does not need to be a lot of water; just a few drops should suffice. If you notice that the water quickly soaks through, leaving behind the telltale water splotch, then your flooring requires some refinishing. If the water goes through slowly, then you will need to do it soon, as the finish is starting to get too thin. Your finish is fine when the water forms droplets rather than soak through.

How Deep Are The Grooves?

Over time, it is natural for your flooring to get some cracks and grooves. Some of these might be harmless, while others might be extensive, requiring professional work. One way to know how deep they go is to measure them. Because there usually is not much room, it is hard to do so. It helps to use a business card. Put it into the groove and mark where it sticks out from the wood. Compare this with a ruler. Any grooves larger than 3/4-inch are extensive. This typically means that any wood floor refinishing in Minneapolis needs to be handled by a professional to reduce any problems.

Is the Wood Warped, Bent or Otherwise Damaged?

Another important consideration is whether the flooring has any warping or other damage. This might be water damage, bending of the wood, and larger cracks. If this is the case, then wood floor refinishing in Minneapolis is not going to be able to fix it. Instead, you will need to have someone come in and repair the damaged area. Then, it is possible to refinish the flooring to give all of it a new life.

It is important that you know when it is time to get your floors refinished, and when you can hold off for a while longer. Regularly checking your floors can help you to choose the perfect time before you end up damaging your flooring.