Hardwood floors are one of the most popular flooring options. They can provide you with durable and aesthetically-pleasing floors for years.

There are numerous types of hardwood floors that you can choose for your house. However, with time the planks can get scratched, damaged, or dull. They can lose their shiny appearance and become dull or damaged.

Most wooden floors show visible damage signs after a few years of age. However, the need for floor refinishes also depends on the footfall and pets or children in your family.

The good news is hardwood floors can be refinished to restore their appearance. While engineered floors can be refinished only a few times, hardwood floors allow numerous refinishing sessions. However, it is essential to know the right time to refinish the wooden floors.

Wooden floor refinish makes your floors look brand new and also prevents them from further damage. Let us discuss refinishing hardwood floors and when is the right time to call a professional to refinish your hardwood floors.

Refinishing of hardwood floors

Refinishing wooden floors involves sanding down the uppermost layer to reveal the unharmed surface underneath. The sanded wood is then covered with fresh satin and lacquer.

Wooden floor refinish helps in removing the damaged layer and makes your hardwood floors look brand new. You can choose to refinish the wooden floors yourself. However, having a professional do the job ensures that the refinishing is carried out properly.

Here are a few signs indicating that it’s time to refinish your hardwood floors.

1. Scratches or gouges

If you have been using your hardwood floor for a while, chances are there are already some scratches on its surface. However, the need for refinishing depends on the number of scratches and their severity.

If the entire floor is covered in scratches, you should refinish it to restore its fading beauty. The depth of these scratches is also an important determinant. Scratches that go deeper than the polyurethane stain needs to be fixed as they make your hardwood floors susceptible to more damage in the future.

Gouges can create water pathways to the damaged part. Moisture can seep into the flooring worsening the situation even further.

2. Water damage

Water and moisture can be very harmful to your hardwood floors. If the damage is severe, you may even need to replace your hardwood floors.

The visible signs of water damage for your hardwood floors include separation, cupping of the board, and the appearance of dark patches. Numerous causes can make your wooden floors susceptible to water damage.

However, you can reverse the damage with a wooden floor refinish. Sanding away the top surface and sealing the planks can help in correcting the situation. Also, you may need to replace a section of flooring to save the remaining planks from water damage.

3. Discoloration

One of the major causes of discolored hardwood floors is sun damage. If your floors are exposed to direct sunlight, the harmful UV rays from the sun can bleach them.

This can cause some spots to become discolored and ruin the appearance of the entire floor. Also, moisture damage can cause the appearance of gray patches on the floor. You will need a wooden floor to refinish to fix the water damage and prevent your flooring from any more issues.

4. Dull floors

A hardwood flooring elevates the appearance of your entire house. They are available in different finishes; satin, matt, glossy and brushed. Despite the finish, the floors can get dull and lose their luster after a few years.

The floors look worn out and ruin the beauty of your living space.

Refinishing the wooden floors can help in bringing back that brand new look of your flooring.

These are some of the signs that point toward the need for wooden floor refinishing.