DIY Tips for Getting Rid Of Scratches on Timber Flooring

Even the most conscientious homeowner will have to contend with nicks on their timber flooring over time. Wood may have a classic elegance that is unmatched when compared to other flooring materials, but it does have a major drawback in that it is quite vulnerable to damage. Therefore, you should expect to engage in repairs to make sure that the flooring is revived to its initial lustre. Luckily, not all imperfections on your timber flooring have to be addressed by professional specialists. There are a few types of repairs that you can carry out on your own if you have the knowledge and the required tools. Read on for DIY tips for getting rid of scratches on your timber flooring.

Cosmetic scratches

Superficial scratches are some of the easiest types of timber flooring damage that you can address on your own. Although these types of scratches can be an eyesore, they do not pose the risk of structural damage to the floors themselves. However, too many cosmetic scratches on the surface will detract from the appeal of your timber flooring. To get rid of these scratches, the first thing that you should do is thoroughly clean the entire floor. Once the surface is clean, you can proceed to apply a coat of varnish. When the varnish dries, your floors should look as good as new.

Shallow scratches

These types of scratches will form minor ridges on the surface of your floors and are usually caused by dragging furniture on your floors. But they will not be deep enough to necessitate refinishing of the entire timber floor. However, they would require some elbow grease to eliminate, as you will have to sand them down. Start off by cleaning the floors so you know where all the shallow scratches are present. After sanding the scratches, wipe away the dust and rub some wood wax over the affected areas. You can then finish by buffing the wax and re-varnishing the floors to restore their lustre.

Deep scratches

Deep scratches can be remedied through DIY methods, but this would depend on how severe the gouges are. If the ridges are prominent, you would be better off having your floors restored professionally so that they can look pristine. However, if the ridges are just a few millimetres deep, you could fill them using wood filler and sand the floor until the surface is smooth. Once the filler dries, sand the floor and apply a sealant over it to ensure that the filler stays in place. Finish off by varnishing the floors as with the other restorative methods.