Investing in hardwood flooring is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your house. With the endless variety of wood styles and finishes available today, you can easily transform your home into a sophisticated living space.
As durable as hardwood may be, this flooring material can be prone to nicks and scratches. This can be quite aggravating for the homeowner, as nothing is worse than watching your flooring suffer wear and tear. The caveat to this, however, is that you can easily repair even the most major scratch on hardwood floors.
In this article, we’ll give you all the information you need to fix your flooring imperfections.
What Causes Hardwood Floor Scratches?
Like any porous material, hardwood can be subjected to a variety of abrasions that damage the exterior. In most situations, minor scratches won’t affect the integrity of your hardwood flooring and are merely cosmetic. While these can be an eyesore, you won’t have to worry about compounding damage.
Deep scratches that enter the base of the hardwood are slightly more concerning. Your floorboards are protected by a manufacturer’s finish, and if this is compromised can allow for water intrusion. Water will wreak havoc on your flooring, so it’s best to address these types of scratches immediately.
Identifying the cause of your hardwood is easy, as there are a few common culprits.
Abrasive Cleaning Instruments
Many homeowners take an aggressive approach to cleaning, and while this may make things more sanitary, it can do harm to your flooring. Hardwood is quite sensitive and can be easily scratched by a variety of typical cleaning supplies. In general, avoid cleaning your hardwood flooring with:
- Brillo or Scrubbing Pads
- Hard Bristle Brooms
- High-Powered Vacuum Attachments
- Harsh Chemicals
Instead of these products, choose a gentle microfiber mop or a vacuum with a hardwood attachment. Your floors will thank you.