How To Fix Scratches On Wood Floor

A beautiful floor in the house perfectly complements the interior and decorates the house. One of the best choices in a home is choosing a wood floor. This solution visually makes your interior more expensive and sophisticated. And all the guests who come to you will note your excellent taste.

Even the most resilient flooring option, though, can eventually become worn out and scratched. Luckily, small and shallow scratches on the hardwood floor can be easily repaired. To do this, you need to clean the place with a scratch, pick up the right chalk or wood putty, and at the end, apply a protective layer of wax or floor varnish.

In this article, we will walk you through the correct way to repair floor scratches, show you the key aspects of the procedure, and help you avoid mistakes, because floor replacement can be a huge investment, and we’re sure you don’t want to pay tons of money.

Repair Scratches on Hardwood Floor

If you have hardwood floors, chances are they’ve accrued a few scratches over the years. Scratches can make your floors look old and worn out, whether from your dog’s nails or a constant moving piece of furniture. 

So, you’ve decided to fix your hardwood floor but don’t know where to start and what tools you need to do it? You have nothing to worry about. In our article, we will guide you step by step through the entire procedure for repairing a scratch on a wooden floor. We’ll tell you what you’ll need to get started and walk you through every step of the way.

However, always remember about your safety and the safety of your loved ones and animals in your home. Keep small children and animals out of the way while repairing the floor, as they may put in mouth small tools or components needed for work.

Identify the Scratch

It can be challenging to keep your hardwood floors looking perfect. Everyday use can lead to minor scratches that damage the floor’s surface. Some of these scratches are more difficult to spot than others. There are three hardwood floor scratches: surface, finish, and structural:

• Surface scratches are the most common type of scratch. They occur when something rubs against the floor’s surface and causes a small hairline crack. These cracks are usually not very deep, but they can be challenging to repair. Most surface scratches can be fixed with a bit of sanding and refinishing. 
• Finish scratches are less common than surface scratches, but they are more difficult to get out of wood floors. Finish scratches occur when something rubs against the floor’s finish and removes a small amount of wood. These scratches are usually deeper than surface scratches and may require complete sanding and refinishing to repair. 
• Structural scratches are the most serious type of scratch. They occur when something digs into the wood and splinters or cracks the boards. Structural damage is usually irreparable and will require board replacement. 

Gather Materials Needed to Get Scratches Out of Wood Floor

To work with the floor, you will need the following: 

• Sandpaper.
• Wax or varnish to protect the floor.
• Floor putty or crayons to repair the floor.

Once you have collected all the necessary materials for the procedure, you can begin the process.

Fixing the Floor Scratch

The procedure will look like this:

• Sanding a scratch if it is not that deep.
• Repairing a scratch if it is deeper than desired.
• Sanding the fixed area.
• Application of protective wax or varnish.

You can quickly and efficiently fix almost any scratch on your hardwood floor in just four steps. The procedure does not require specific skills or knowledge, which helps to bring the cost down to $100 instead of hiring a worker whose services will cost you up to a thousand dollars.

Sand Down the Scratch Using Fine-Grit Sandpaper

If the scratch on your floor is not very deep, just sanding it down with sandpaper will suffice. However, you need to do the sanding properly so that your floor looks organic and beautiful. It is necessary to grind the floor in the grains’ direction. Now you have removed the top layer of the scratch from the wood floor without ruining it and can proceed. 

Apply Touch-up Paint or Wood Filler to the Scratch

Now you need to apply paint, filler, or crayon to the scratch. This is a relatively simple action, but problems can arise even when applying the main color. Make sure you choose the right tone. Test your filler on an inconspicuous surface, like under a bed or behind a closet. And only after you ensure the color is chosen correctly can you use it.

Repeat as Necessary Until the Scratch Is no Longer Visible

Generally, the procedure for grinding the floor and applying paint can be repeated indefinitely. The main thing is to achieve such a result that your scratch will no longer be noticeable on your wooden floor.

Buff and Polish the Area to Blend in with the Surrounding Flooring

Now you need to sand the already applied filler and polish it. To do this, just use sandpaper and repeat the first step.

Rub Wax onto the Area Around the Scratch

And the last step in repairing a scratch on a wood floor is to apply wax or varnish to the scratched area. To do this, you need to use a little protective substance and apply it to the floor. This will help protect the surface from damage and give it a characteristic sheen.

How to Prevent Scratches on Wood Floor?

No matter how careful you are, preventing all floor scratches is impossible. However, there are some things you can do to minimize the risk of damaging your floors:

1. Use mats and rugs. Mats and rugs are an easy way to protect your floors from scratches. Place them in high-traffic areas and under furniture to create a barrier between your floors and potential damage sources. 
2. Use furniture pads. Furniture pads are small discs that you affix to the bottoms of furniture legs. They create a buffer between your furniture and the floor, which helps prevent scratches when you move furniture around. 
3. Be mindful of pet nails. Pets’ nails can cause scores of tiny scratches in your flooring. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed to minimize the risk of damage. And if your pet is prone to scratching the floor, consider getting them a scratching post or mat to redirect their scratching behavior. 
4. Avoid using harsh cleaning products. Strong cleaners can strip away the protective coating on some types of flooring, making it more susceptible to scratches. When cleaning your floors, stick to mild soaps and avoid using abrasive scrubbers or brushes. 
5. Place mats at entrances. Outdoor mats help trap dirt, sand, and other debris that can scratch your floors. Place mats at all entrances to your home so that you (and your guests) can brush off their shoes before entering. 
6. Rearrange your furniture from time to time. Constantly having the same pieces of furniture in the same spot will eventually lead to scratching from wear and tear. Now and then, mix things up by rearranging your room layout. This will distribute the weight evenly across different areas of your floor, preventing deep scratches in any one spot. 
7. Take off shoes when possible. One of the best ways to reduce the chances of scratching your floors is simply by taking off your shoes when you come into the house. Not only will this prevent dirt and debris from being tracked in, but it will also save wear and tear on carpets and flooring.

With these tips, you won’t need to remove scratches from the wood floor for a long time.

Bottom Line

Once you have determined the type and depth of the scratch, you can choose the best method for fixing scratches on hardwood floors. You can try using a repair kit, wax stick, or furniture polish for superficial scratches. If the scratch is deeper, you must sand and refinish the area. With proper care and cleaning, your hardwood floors should last many years.

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