Is your hardwood floor dented? While you can easily fix them, dents in hardwood floors add texture and character. Some people even prefer hand-scraped hardwood floors to smooth surfaces.
Well, if you’d like to remove the dent because it’s too ugly, we’ve compiled a list of all the solutions for you.
Let’s find out what causes your hardwood flooring to dent before talking about how to fix it.
Causes of Dents in Hardwood Floors
There are multiple causes of dents in the hardwood floors. Dents can occur on hardwood floors in just a day of installation. Here are some of the leading causes of dents in hardwood floors;
Moving Day
Moving into a newly built house can cause dents on hardwood floors. The previous owners might have poorly managed the hardwood floor, and moving boxes and furniture might damage it.
When you move in with the help of a crew that moves your furniture or boxes in a hurry, chances are the floor will be dented shortly after moving day.
The wood can also become soft and spongy if it has been repeatedly in contact with water. Instead of “full water damage,” I would call it “usable damage.” Soft floors are not resistant to dent damage.
Shoes
All of the shoes can cause a risk to your hardwood floor, but the ones that pose the highest risks are stilettos, cleats, and heavy work boots.
Furniture
Furniture movement can cause dents in your hardwood floor. The weight of furniture with small ends can also compress the wood and result in dents. You can take precautions to avoid this; if you have furniture with small ends, keep reading.
Dropped Heavy Objects
Dropped heavy objects are perhaps the most common cause of dents in hardwood floors. A small impact on the hardwood can compress the fibers resulting in a dent. Dropped objects are usually accidents, and there are no helping accidents, but there are precautions that you can take to avoid any damage to the floor.
Sometimes, dropped sharp objects can create gouges; In that case, follow our guide for fixing gouges.
Now that we know the leading causes of dents let’s learn how to fix the dents.
How to fix
We have three fixes that will be effective for dents in hardwood floors. There’s a good chance that one of them will fix your problem.
Iron Method / Heat and Moisture Method
Many woodworkers use this method to fix dents on wooden floors and surfaces. With iron and a wet cloth, one can fix dents. Learn how;
If you don’t know, the same method is used to fix dents on laminate floors. However, it works better on laminate floors than hardwood ones.
Wet the Dent
Pour 2-3 drops of water in the dent, do not use too much water (Too much water can swell the wood). The way the iron method works is by decompressing the fibers in the wood. A dent in a hardwood floor is when the wood fibers get compressed due to an impact.
Put a Wet Cloth or Towel on The Dent
Once you have poured drops into the dent, apply a wet towel on the dent. The towel does not have to be drenched in water; it just has to be damp.
Bring out The Iron
Set the iron to high and apply pressure on the wet cloth. Make sure the iron is moving continuously, so the cloth does not burn. Move the iron in circles for three to five minutes and ensure enough steam is generated from the wet cloth and the iron.
The dent should be healed now; if not entirely, you should see some difference in the dent. Repeat the steps above till the dent is completely gone.
Note that this method only works when the wood fiber is compressed and not chipped or gauged. Although many youtube channels recommend this method, I do not recommend it because it can damage the finish and void the warranty. Replace it instead.
Hardwood Approved Materials Like Dent Fillers or Wood Fillers
Hardwood-approved materials such as dent fillers and wood fillers can be used to repair dent damage.
The finish and color of hardwood floors can be challenging to reproduce, but you can use marker pens on fillers to color them; alternatively, you can mix some color with the fillers.
Home improvement stores and hardware stores sell wood fillers and dent fillers. In addition to being convenient, they are easy to use for repairing dents or gouges.
When a dent is severe and damages a part of the wood that looks like a gouge or a hole, fillers are your best bet for fixing it with no problem.
Clean the Surface of The Dent or Gouge
By cleaning the surface of the dent or gouge, you are ensuring that there are no dirt particles between the filler and the damaged wood. You can either use a floor cleaner or wipe/vacuum the dust and dirt away. Make sure the floor is dry after cleaning it with a floor cleaner.
Take a Scoop of The Wood Filler or Dent Filler
Apply the filler to the gouges or dents with a putty knife or a flat object. Scrape away the excess filler after flattening the filler to the surrounding level.
Wait for The Filler to Dry
After you have applied the filler, you only have to wait for it to dry. When dry, it becomes solid rather than a wet paste. It typically takes between 30 minutes and an hour to dry.
If you used a stainable filler, you can apply a finish once the filler has dried. Alternatively, you can use a marker pen or some color to match the rest of the wood.
Replacing the Floorboard
If the two methods above have not worked for you, it may be time for you to replace the floorboard; if you have a spare floorboard or extra floorboards remaining from the construction.
However, many people like to keep their floors dented. However, you may change the floorboard if you insist.
How to Prevent Dents
We have provided you with all the possible ways to fix a dent, and we also have some quick, helpful tips and precautions against it for you.
Area Rugs
Laying down area rugs in high traffic areas of your house will protect your floor. Consider placing area rugs in accident-prone areas such as the kitchen in case you drop an object. Also, be sure to place area rugs under furniture with small ends; this will help prevent wood compression and avoid denting.
No Shoes
If it is possible for you not to wear shoes while you are relaxing at home, please do. Shoes can carry debris into your house and can also damage your hardwood floor. Consider having a shoes-off policy for guests as well. Shoes with pointed heels can dent because they are moving, pointed, and carrying your body weight.
Felt Pads
If you move furniture often or its ends are small, then place felt furniture pads under it. You will be preventing possible denting and ensuring the safety of your hardwood floor in the long run, especially if the furniture is moved often.
Vinyl Mats
If you have a working room with a rolling chair, place a vinyl mat in that area. This will keep the wheel from damaging your wooden floor. However, don’t forget to regularly clean the carpet pads to prevent stains.
Conclusion
There are many causes for dents in your hardwood floor, but there are reliable fixes as well. If nothing works, replacing the hardwood floor is always an option. If you are not confident in your DIY skills, you can always hire a professional.
Consider the precautions against denting deeply, as your hardwood floor must stay healthy and luster.
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