27 Mar How to Fix Dents in Wooden Floors

Hardwood floors are extremely popular, adding beauty and value to homes. They’re also subject to dents from heavy items being dragged or dropped on them. Owners of home offices are often surprised to discover the damage that even their rolling office chair can inflict. Dents are typically more noticeable when sunlight reflects off the floor and that’s especially true of high-gloss finishes. The good news is that there are solutions.

Individuals should keep in mind that they can further damage their hardwood floors and it’s essential to differentiate between dents and scratches. It’s best to engage the services of a flooring professional for repairs, but for those that insist on a DIY solution, wood putty and steam are the two most common methods.

Wood Putty

Wood putty can be utilized to fill in a dent. It’s available in multiple colors, so be sure to obtain the correct color. If at all possible, take a scrap piece of flooring to the hardware store to help in making a match.

Individuals can use their fingers to apply it, making sure to pack it into the dent. Let it set overnight and wipe away the excess with a damp cloth. The wood putty may need to be sanded over to ensure it’s smooth before applying a protective coat of polyurethane.

Steam

When using this method, individuals are essentially “pulling” the dent out. There’s no guarantee of success with steam. Be aware that it can make the situation worse and inflict further damage. The process involves some sanding, pieces of cotton about the size of the dent, and a steam iron.

The area around the dent will have to be sanded to remove any polyurethane coating. A clean white piece of cotton should then be applied to the dent. Use the iron on the highest setting and place it on the cotton for about 5 minutes.

The dent will soak up the water dispensed by the steam iron, thereby expanding the wood. It can require multiple applications. If the process works, individuals will need to ensure the floor is dry before sanding the area flat and a new coat of protective polyurethane will need to be applied.