Scratches to the Finish of Wood Floors

Description

This is a self-explanatory issue that occurs frequently with wood and laminate floors. Scratches to the surface can be the result of a number of things. It is almost a certainty that flooring will suffer from scratching at some point but resolving these issues at an early stage should help to keep the appearance of the floor fresh.

Scratches to the Finish of Wood Floors

Causes

There are a number of ways a wood floor can be scratched. Repairing such an issue all depends on how serious the damage is, and may require slight adjustments or major renovation.

The first of which is when there is abrasion to the surface finish, which is the outcome of pressure being applied to a small area of the floor’s surface.

Items of furniture without protective felt pads on the legs or base being dragged across a floor as opposed to being lifted provide a major cause of surface scratches. This produces such issues as some items weigh a considerable amount meaning excess pressure is being applied at all times.

In addition, wheeled furniture such as chairs without cups for floor protection are a reason why scratching of a surface may occur. The unprotected wheels serve as a problem to many surfaces and can often produce considerable damage If done repeatedly.

Pieces of grit or gravel stuck in the tread of shoes are equally responsible for so many cases of scratched wood flooring. These small, sharp objects are able to produce a surprising amount of problems to wood floor finishes, as they tend to be undetected.

Using the floor before the selected finish has been completely cured may result in a negative outcome. This will make the floor vulnerable to many forms of damage, with scratching being one of the main issues.

Curing of Finishes

Wood floor finishes are usually dry within a matter of hours, but take considerably longer to adequately cure. This could be between 3 days and a week. Only after this, you are able to resume the use of the flooring.

Finishes reach close to 90% hardness in the initial curing period. Only then light traffic can be resumed. The remaining hardness develops over a number of weeks and all depends on conditions of the room where the floor is laid.

Solutions

If very fine scratches appear on your flooring, using maintenance products such as polishes and scuff remover will eradicate such restore your floor back to the state it was in prior to the damage.

Alternatively, repairing superficial scratches is a relatively easy procedure. This involves light abrasion which should rectify the flaws, and should be completed by applying a new finish to the flooring.

Deeper scratches require a fair amount of work in order for them to be repaired. Firstly, the existing finish should be removed and should be followed by reapplying a finish to create the smoothness of the original floor

Avoidance.

  • Correct choice of finish for traffic conditions.
  • Use of floor protection such as floor cups, felt pads, chairs mats etc.
  • Do not cover floor until cure of finish is complete.
  • Light traffic only until finish has fully cured. (See manufacturers recommendations)
  • Avoid wearing high heels.