Having a wood floor in your home is one of the best ways of elevating its style and aesthetic, not to mention property value. However, general upkeep is necessary to recoup a sizable return, like most long-term investments. And, if you’ve begun to notice some wear and tear, it might be time to have your hardwood floor refinished. How can you tell if it’s time? What are some of the root causes of damage? We’re about to find out.

Signs of Damage

There are a multitude of signs that your hardwood floor has sustained notable damage and is in need of being refurbished. The most common is discoloration. This commonly occurs when your floor is exposed to sunlight or other chemicals for prolonged periods of time. Another common sign is the appearance of scuff marks or scratches, which happens when a floor is in use after several years. These two factors are almost completely unavoidable and make for a good argument as to why getting your floor refinished every few years is a good idea. The biggest sign that your floor should be refinished is the appearance of cupping or warping. This is an indication that your floor has been exposed to a large amount of moisture and humidity.

Causes of Damage

Just as there are quite a few problems that can lead to a hardwood floor needing to be refinished, there are quite a few causes as well. Here’s a list of some of the guilty culprits.

Foot Traffic - There’s little you can do to avoid the traffic your floor endures. Be it from humans or pets; your floor is bound to be walked on. In areas that are walked on the most, strategically placed rugs and carpeting can reduce this.

Furniture - If you’re constantly rearranging your furniture, there’s a good chance that some markings will be left behind. Behind a variety of scratch marks on your hardwood floor is the desire to move a sofa.

The Elements - As we stated in the previous section, moisture, humidity, and sunlight are the hardwood floor’s worst enemies. If you live in a geographic location where these elements are common, it’s a good idea to be mindful of the damage they can cause.

When it comes to the hardwood floor, be it materials, installation, or maintenance, TongueandGroove.com is here to help. For more information, give our team a call today at 800-689-9006.