Hardwood floors offer many benefits to your home. However, wear and tear can eventually be too much. No matter the reason, a few key signs will help you know when it’s time for a change. Look out for these signs that it's time to replace your hardwood floors.
Refinished Before
If your hardwood floors have been around for a long time, then you’ve probably already gone through the refinishing process, perhaps including sanding the wood down. Old hardwood floors that have already been re-sanded can resist going through this procedure too many times. If too much of the wood has been removed by the sanding, it’s time that you lay those hardwood floors to rest and invest in new ones.
Water Damage
If your floors are exposed to water for a longer period of time, they may become warped, stained, or otherwise damaged. If you have any flooding issues, make sure to contact a cleanup company right away to increase your chances of saving the floor. At an early stage, a refinish can fix the problem. But when the stain becomes black, it's better to replace the floor.
Discoloration
Hardwood can change colors for many reasons. In addition to water damage, it often has to do with fading and stains caused by the sun. Discolored boards can be hard to refinish to their original shade, so replacement might be the best option to restore the look you want.
Large Marks and Scratches
A few marks are no cause for concern, but if these scratches cover a large area, you might consider replacing your hardwood floors.
Exposed Nails
Exposed nails aren’t just unattractive to look at—they can hurt you and your family. Just as with scratches, one or two exposed nails aren’t a cause for concern. However, if you start finding such nails across larger areas of the floor, it might be time to think about new flooring.
Creaking or Moving Floorboards
Creaking floorboards can mean the wood is rubbing against the subfloor or against itself. This may signify weakened structural integrity. Floorboards that shift or bend when you walk across them may result from cracks in the foundation or significant water damage. Watch out for more subtle movement as well. Hardwood flooring that frequently dips or swells can denote larger structural issues.
Wear and Tear
Like all natural materials, hardwood floors will eventually start to show their age—especially in high-traffic areas. You can often fix the problem by refinishing your floors. However, issues such as severely warped or splintered wood might call for a replacement.
You Just Want Something New
Finally, you don’t need a major issue to replace your floors. New hardwood flooring can transform your home completely, giving you the fresh look you desire.
Would you like to talk with us about replacing your hardwood floors? We’re here to help. Contact us at 920-984-3383, 800-354-9902 or info@ralphshardwood.com. Showroom appointments are available.
Image: Shutterstock
