At Wood and Beyond, we often get asked for help when clients have problems with their wood floors. While we’re more than happy to help clients on an individual basis with their flooring issues, we thought it would be a good idea to put together this troubleshooting guide to help any blog readers out there who are facing problems with their wood floor and are seeking solutions.
Here are some of the commonest things we get asked about:
My floor has arrived and it is damaged.
We do everything possible to make sure that your new floor arrives at its destination in perfect condition. However, there are rare cases whereby there has been damage to flooring either during packing or transportation. If you have minor damage to only a few boards, there’s no need to delay your installation. You should continue with the boards that are in good condition and contact us to find a solution for the damaged boards.
The boards in different boxes look different.
Wood is a natural product and finding two sections of wood that are identical is pretty much impossible. In order to create a natural look for your floor, we recommend selecting boards from different boxes as you fit the floor.
My floor is scratched.
Scratches on wood flooring, no matter the finish is common and normal. When you are installing your floor it is normal to find slight scratching where boards have perhaps rubbed together in storage, but this should not be excessive. Once you lay your floor, it will get scratched from day-to-day living, no matter how careful you are. Dirt and dust work like fine sandpaper on your floor to scratch it and you should aim to keep levels down by regular sweeping or vacuuming as well as having a couple of high quality door mats. If you have pets, keeping their claws short is another good way of minimising scratching.
My floor is dented.
Dents in wood floors are most commonly caused by high heels or furniture. The best way to avoid dents is to be strict about stilettoes and to always lift and not drag furniture to make sure you don’t cause dents. Small dents can often be lifted away by covering them with a damp cloth and pressing them with a hot iron.
My floor is marked.
Marks on wood floors can either be spot treated, sanded away or repairable using a wood floor repair pen.
My floor squeaks when I walk on it.
If your floor has been well installed and there’s no dampness in your room, it shouldn’t squeak. However, if it does, a light sprinkling of talcum powder in the squeaky area will normally help remove the problem. If it persists or is excessive, then you might need to lift the boards in the problem area to get to the root of the issue.
My floor is lifting in places.
Wood is a natural product and expands and contracts when exposed to moisture and temperature fluctuations. If your floor is lifting, the chances are that it wasn’t properly acclimatized prior to fitting. If this is the case, then either allowing more space for expansion or regulating the humidity level should solve the problem.
My floor has gaps.
Like the above, gaps are caused by wood shrinking due to either increased temperature or reduced humidity. When either of these conditions changes, wood contracts, causing gaps to become apparent. If your floor has been properly installed, this situation should resolve itself when temperatures fall again and when moisture levels return to normal. Acclimatising the boards properly and checking for subfloor humidity before laying your floor are the best ways to avoid these issues.
My floor is cupping.
Cupping is when each board is high at the edges and low in the middle (like a cup, thus the name). Once more, this issue is normally related to moisture imbalance in the wood, typically created by moisture on its underside. To avoid cupping, you must take moisture readings before laying your floor and if it’s too late to avoid it, the only truly effective remedial action is to treat the source of moisture. Although the likes of dehumidifiers will help, they won’t treat the root cause of the problem.
My floor is bowing.
Bowing is the opposite of cupping and is the term used to describe a board with a raised middle and dipped edges. Again, a floor that has been properly acclimatised, may show minor bowing, but nothing major. Major bowing is normally caused by excess moisture and needs to be tackled in the same way as cupping.
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FAQ
What should I do if my delivered wood floor is damaged?
In case of minor damage to a few boards, proceed with the installation using the boards in good condition. For the damaged boards, contact your supplier to find a solution.
Why do the boards in different boxes look different?
Wood is a natural product, making it almost impossible to find two identical sections. To create a natural look for your floor, we recommend selecting boards from different boxes as you install the floor.
What can I do about scratches on my wood floor?
Minor scratches are common in wood flooring. You can minimize scratching by keeping the levels of dirt and dust down with regular sweeping or vacuuming, and using high-quality door mats. Keeping your pet’s claws short is another good way to avoid scratches.
How can I fix dents in my wood floor?
Dents are most commonly caused by high heels or furniture. Small dents can often be removed by covering them with a damp cloth and pressing with a hot iron. To prevent future dents, avoid wearing high heels on your floor and lift, don’t drag, furniture.
What can I do about a squeaky wood floor?
If your wood floor squeaks, a light sprinkling of talcum powder in the problematic area will normally help. If the problem persists, you might need to lift the boards in the problematic area.