Hardwood flooring is long-lasting – which is one of the reasons why it can add value to a property. Yet there are times when hardwood floors may be beyond repair, particularly if they’re very old.
In these cases, it might be best (and sometimes cheaper) to replace the hardwood rather than repair it. Here’s when to replace or repair hardwood.
Lots of visible nails
We recommend replacement.
Hardwood flooring wears down over time. This should only happen when the floor is old (say 25+ years) or it’s in a very high-traffic area. As the flooring wears, the nails start to protrude out of the wood.
If there’s just one nail, you can try to drill it in and fill the area with a repair kit (like a glue gun kit). The more nails you have protruding out of the hardwood floor, the more uneven (and potentially unsafe) it can become. In these cases, it’s best to replace hardwood.
Significant cosmetic damage
We recommend replacement.
You can individually repair each and every blemish on hardwood floors if you want to. But hardwood floor repair kits are only designed to fix a handful of marks and scratches.
When hardwood suffers from many (many) imperfections, repairing everything can disrupt the natural beauty of the wood.
Not to mention, repairs can be costly, time-consuming, and potentially more expensive long term compared to replacing the floors.
Floorboards are moving
We recommend replacement.
One floorboard moving can be fixed using a hollow spot repair kit to rebond the underside of hardwood. But if the floor is loose in multiple areas, the cause could be a major problem.
Moisture damage could have led the boards to warp and buckle, or there may be issues with the stability of the subfloor. Either way, it’s best to remove the hardwood and replace it in these circumstances.
Water damage
We recommend replacement.
Any visible sign of water damage is a problem for hardwood floors. Wood floors, even waterproof flooring, shouldn’t be exposed to excessive amounts of water. If it is, it should be replaced before the boards begin to sag, bow, or rot.
Water damage is often caused by wet mopping, steam cleaning, unwiped spillages, or untreated leaks. Signs of water damage include dark/discolored areas, warped boards, peeling finish, mold, swelling, or boards that feel soft to walk on.
FAQs
Can You Fix a Gouge in a Hardwood Floor?
Yes, gouges in a finished hardwood floor can be fixed. We recommend using a professional glue gun repair kit to deeply penetrate the gouge.
It’s important to repair gouges as quickly as possible, as these can cause the floorboard to split, which is a much more costly and time-consuming replacement.
Is It Cheaper to Repair or Replace Hardwood Floors?
It depends. Usually, it’s cheaper to repair hardwood floors, but if the floor is really old or in very poor condition, it might be cheaper and less hassle to replace the floor entirely.
For example, small scratches, scuffs, or holes in hardwood floors can quickly be removed with a repair kit, like a mohawk touch up pen or knottec glue gun kit. But if there are lots of deep imperfections (like cracks and gouges), fixing every blemish can be costly.
Plus, repairs won’t last forever. You may need to touch up the blemishes every couple of months or years (depending on how heavy the foot traffic is). This can also rack up costs over time.
Can You Use Wood Filler to Repair Hardwood Floors?
Yes, you can use wood filler to repair deep scratches or gouges in hardwood flooring, but it’s best to use this on unfinished wood. Our Panel Town Flooring Pro says there are two types of filler:
“You have the full trowel filler, which you use across the whole floor. Once it’s dried, you do a light sand to take off any excess. The other is the wood patch, which you can use on sections of the floor. Let it dry and give it a light sand after to take off any excess.”
For prefinished solid hardwood, you can use wood putty (instead of wood filler) to hide any nail holes or gaps in between the boards.
Order Your Repair Kit Today
At Panel Town, we specialize in luxury flooring, from hardwood and engineered wood to luxury vinyl and waterproof laminate.
Find your repair kit today, or explore our flooring collection to breathe life into your home with new hardwood floors.
Need inspiration? Use our flooring visualizer to see what colors or species of hardwood work best in your home.
