Hardwood floors are a popular element in many homes. They provide something natural and beautiful, they are fairly resilient and, unlike carpets, they won’t harbour dirt and bugs. Spills can clean up easily. 

However, while they have many advantages, wooden floors are not indestructible. Heavy or sharp objects being dropped on them or dragged along them can cause dents and scratches, and while the odd one may not matter too much, over time your floor could look like it has seen better days.

Rather than replacing it, such damage can be repaired, but it is important to know what you could achieve yourself and what may require a flooring repair specialist.

For example, a small dent may be fixed by soaking the area, before covering it with a cloth and using a hot iron, all of which will cause the wood to expand and regain its old shape. Similarly, putty filler can be used on small gouges and rough edges can be sanded. 

However, it is important to be aware of when you will need a professional to do the job.

For example, if a board had warped out of shape and needs replacing, or the home is a fairly new one and settling has made it uneven, you need an expert on hand. Similarly, a refinishing of a whole floor, which will require more advanced equipment to do the job and prevent the house being filled with dust will also need a professional.

It’s always great when you can use DIY methods to fix a small problem with a hardwood floor. But often the issue at hand is much more than an unskilled householder can manage, and the result can either be a failure to make any impact on the problem or the issue becoming worse.

The last thing you want to do is inadvertently ruin a wooden floor when trying to fix it, which is why you should be prepared to get the specialists in to get it looking good as new.