Removing Dents in Wood Flooring

Description

Dents in wood flooring are when there is a depression in the wood's surface. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from small nicks to relatively deep indentations. It is almost inevitable that flooring will suffer from denting at some stage, and any damage must be repaired early in order to avoid further issues further down the line. This will help to keep the floor in good condition.

Cause

When wood fibres compress under high pressure, denting is caused in the flooring. Items that apply such pressure include, sofas on wheels, other items of furniture on legs, grit and dirt from the bottom of shoes and hard objects falling just to name a few. High heels however are one of the more common causes of denting in flooring. They can subject the floor to pressures in excess of 2000psi and are often the reason why numerous dents are present in a wood floor.

Solutions

When a certain type of denting occurs, localised repair may be appropriate. Localised repair is considered to be more compatible with oiled or waxed finished floors. Smaller dents in a wood surface where the fibres may not have necessarily been broken are often repaired by covering the affected area with a towel and placing a steam iron on the spot repeatedly. This should restore the floor back to a smooth and even surface. A method such as this cannot resolve all denting issue, as it is less effective on dense timbers such as Maple.

Alternatively, if the dents are deeper, the first step should be to examine the nature of the damage in order to find the most suitable solution for the problem. The next step involves removing the finish from the area of concern and filling the indentation. This process must be completed by sanding the newly filled area and spot finishing.

In the most extreme cases, the entire floor may need to be completely renovated. This involves a complete sanding job followed by a refinish.

Avoidance

• Avoid stepping on the floor unless the finish has been cured. This will leave your flooring more exposed to potential denting.
• It is highly advisable to make use of both indoor and outdoor and indoor entrance matting. Failure to do so may increase the risk of your flooring suffering from a series of dents through grit and dirt stuck in the bottom of shoes.
• Where possible, avoid walking in or allowing others to walk in high heels on wood floor. This may also significantly reduce the chances of your floor’s surface being damaged.
• Furthermore, we recommend conducting the necessary research prior to installing a floor. By not doing so, your flooring may become susceptible to denting. Factors to consider when looking into a new floor include the type of timber specie selected, and the appropriate finish for the anticipated traffic.
• It is important to protect your floor from denting by making use of castor cups and felt pads for furniture that directly rests on the surface. This simple addition may significantly reduce the chances of the wood being compressed resulting in a floor with more longevity.