Repairing Guides

how to repair a gouge in hardwood floor

by Ms. Ernestine Lang MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Fixing gouges using a hardwood fixer. You can fix small gouges using a wood floor fixer or repair kit. ...
  • Using Blend Sticks to fix gouges. For covering deep scratches or small gouges, you can use blend sticks as it’s affordable and easy to apply.
  • Use Brown Crayon for Fast Repair. Using brown crayons is another way to fix deep scratches or tiny gouges. it is affordable and easy to use.
  • Use Handy Color Matching Wood Filler. Wood filler is ideal for filling gaps in hardwood floors. Especially for floor gaps between planks. ...
  • Using Wood Putty for Deeper Gouges. Wood putty works great for deep gouges and large holes. Most people think that wood putty and wood filler is the same thing.
  • Some DIY Can Help You Out Too! You can also use your handmade wood filler to fix large holes. ...

Gouge: For a deeper scratch or small gouge, rub a matching colored wax filler stick or brown crayon on the spot until the nick is filled. Rub the spot with a soft cloth to remove any excess wax. Deep Gouge: For a deep gouge, fill the hole with matching colored wood putty.

How do you repair a hole in a hardwood floor?

What to Use to Fill Holes in Hardwood Floors

  • Latex Floor Filler. You can find latex floor filler in a ​ range of colors ​ at any store that sells flooring materials.
  • Epoxy Prefinished Wood Floor Filler. Epoxy wood fillers, which usually come in two parts that must be mixed, are ​ resistant to shrinking and cracking ​.
  • Lacquer Burn-In Sticks. ...
  • Make Your Own Filler. ...

How do you repair a squeaky hardwood floor?

Use Carpenter’s Glue

  • Start by having someone walk across the floor while you listen from below. ...
  • Next, take a thin wood shim and coat it with carpenter's glue. Gently tap the shim into the space between the joist and subfloor. ...
  • You just want to fill the gap above the joist and take out any "give" in the floor. For additional support, drive a 1 1/4-in. ...

How to fix a chip in engineered hardwood floor?

How to Repair Engineered Flooring

  • Fix Minor Problems. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. ...
  • Replace Damaged Planks. Use a circular saw to cut length-wise down the center of the plank. Be careful not to cut into the subfloor below.
  • Sand and Refinish. Repair badly damaged floors by sanding and refinishing the entire surface. ...

How do you repair a scratched hardwood floor?

You will require the following items:

  • A fine towel or cloth
  • Cleaner for hardwood floors
  • Coating for wood
  • Water

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How do you fix a gouge in a hardwood floor?

4:575:41How To Fix Gouges, Dents, And Deep Scratches In Hardwood FloorsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo fixing imperfections and hardwood floors is actually really simple get some wood filler fill inMoreSo fixing imperfections and hardwood floors is actually really simple get some wood filler fill in the imperfection.

Can you fix deep hardwood floor scratches?

0:593:003 DIY Ways to Fix a Scratch in Hardwood Floors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs possible for a slightly larger or deeper scratch another option is to apply a melted wax in aMoreAs possible for a slightly larger or deeper scratch another option is to apply a melted wax in a closely matched color to the scratch.

Can you use wood filler on hardwood floors?

Can I Use Wood Filler on Wood Floors? Unless the gap is seasonal and will close eventually, you can use wood filler to repair narrow gaps and cracks. Fillers can be water or solvent-based.

Does vinegar remove deep scratches from wood?

A 1:1 mixture of cooking oil and white vinegar is the most effective way to remove scratches from wood furniture. Dip a rag in the mixture, and rub it on the scratch. Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 minutes before wiping away excess liquid.

Importance of Fixing Gouges in Hardwood Floors

One of the major reasons you should quickly fix the gouges on your hardwood floor is that those tiny little holes and the larges holes affect the lifespan of the wood used on the entire floor. If not taken care of immediately, gouges will get bigger as they are damaged areas that are exposed.

How to Fix Gouges in Hardwood Floors?

There are different ways of fixing gouges in hardwood floors, depending on the size of the gouges.

How to Fix Deep Gouges in Hardwood Floors?

When it comes to fixing deep gouges and large holes, wood putty may just be what you need. Contrary to the concept of wood putty and wood filler being the same, they have two different base elements.

Prevention of Gouges in Harwood Floors

Even though getting gouges is an inevitable and common phenomenon for anyone with a hardwood floor in their house, there are precautionary steps you can take to delay it. If followed rigidly, you can keep your hardwood floor as good as new. They are avoiding sliding furniture without taking proper measurements.

Conclusion

As mentioned quite a few times throughout the article, gouges are very common and unavoidable. So do not panic if you see some dents and holes on your floor. Just analyze the gouge, pick the appropriate method to fix it, get what you need and simply fix it.

What Are Gouges in Hardwood Floors?

Gouge is a term used to describe a gouging or dent in the surface of your hardwood floor. It can be caused by anything from pet claws, furniture scrapes, and other household items.

Causes of Gouges in Hardwood Floors

Purring, running, jumping, biting…most pets love to get into mischief and play around! One of the most common ways they do this is by playing and scratching at the floor boards.

How to Fix Gouges in Hardwood Floors

If a gouge is larger than 1/4″ deep, you need to fill it with matching colored wood putty, an oil-based wood filler such as Minwax wood putty, or Sikkens Woodzone.

How to Prevent Gouges in Hardwood Floors

Gouges in hardwood floors are indentations in the surface of the floor that run parallel to the grain of the wood.

Gouges in Hardwood Floors FAQs

Gouges are the deep, rough scratches that happen to the surface of wood. This is an essential maintenance.

Scratches

Light scratches on the hardwood floor can be concealed in several coats of wax or polish. You can use paste wax or liquid wax on unvarnished hardwood floors. Wax should not be used on urethane-finished floors. It can form a cloudy residue that will dull your floors.

Dents

Dents happen when something heavy or blunt strikes a surface very hard. The process of fixing dents on hardwood floor is quite different from that of repairing scratches. Usually a combination of heat and moisture is used to restore the dented area to its original state.

Gauges

Gauges are deep openings into the wood which cannot be concealed. To fix gauges in your hardwood floor, begin by sanding the area using a fine-grit sandpaper. Sand gently along the grain until the wood is smooth. Clean the dust by vacuuming and fill the gauge with a wood filler. Do not use a wood putty as it may not accept the color of the stain.

How to get wax out of a gouge?

Rub the spot with a soft cloth to remove any excess wax. Deep Gouge: For a deep gouge, fill the hole with matching colored wood putty. You can also use epoxy glue mixed with sanding dust and/or universal colorant.

How to get wax shine back?

Once the wax has dried, use a clean soft cloth to wipe off any excess and bring back the shine. Scratch: For a shallow scratch, use a furniture touch up pen that matches the color of the wood. A brown marker or shoe polish will also work if you can find the right shade to match. Wipe off any excess before it dries.

What to use to fix gouges on wood floors?

Deep gouges can be fixed with a wood putty, which comes in a number of shades to more easily match the color of your floors. It is also more resistant to shrinkage, so it will hold better when the boards shift during the winter or summer.

What to do if a cold draft is coming up through the floor?

If a cold draft is coming up through the floors, your best option is to look into the insulation in the structure of the home, as the boards will expand back into place when it warms up and fillers will compress in the gaps and damage the boards themselves.

Why do floors get scratches?

This can happen for a variety of reasons, including pets’ claws, kids’ toys, high-heeled shoes, or moving furniture.

What is the most durable finish?

Oil-based polyurethane finish is one of the most durable finishes and will mitigate a lot of the daily wear and tear that a floor sees, especially in the high-traffic areas of the home. This is a large undertaking and should only be done if there are a number of deep scratches in the flooring.

Can you screen a hardwood floor?

If the scratches on your floor aren’t too deep and are just in the layer of finish and not the wood itself, you can simply screen the floors and take off the existing layer of finish, and then recoat the floors. This is a much less time-consuming way to spruce up your hardwood floors.

Can you putty down a crack in wood?

The putty can then be sanded down to ensure that it is flush with the board, and then coated with finish. Cracks in the hardwood can be an easy fix, depending on the severity of the crack. This often happens with older wood floors, or in homes that are too dry, as too much moisture has been lost from the wood.

Can you use a cotton swab to stain hardwood floors?

They can also simply be colored in with a furniture pen, stain marker, or regular stain applied with a cotton swab if you simply wish for the scratch to appear less noticeable.

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