Most of us know that a small crack on a car windscreen can lead to the entire glass shattering over time, but few understand the same devastation could happen to our floors.

While a scuff or dent might not seem significant, they can easily worsen as the condition of the floor deteriorates. Therefore, it is essential to consider hiring a surface repair specialist before the damage becomes too great and the entire floor needs replacing.

While experts can fix a multitude of cuts, chips and scratches, if the problem becomes too severe, they might be left with no choice but having to remove the boards entirely. This would result in a much higher cost in the long-run.

This is the position tenants in south London are currently in, with many of those living in the High Path estate in Wimbledon complaining of sub-standard living conditions, including broken floors.

My London recently reported several large holes stretching across four inches in the floor of some of these flats, which it noted was a “serious trip hazard”, particularly at night.

One resident told the news provider: “A few people have actually twisted their ankles and I have to remind myself to say, ‘careful there’s a hole there‘.“

Despite the crevices having been reported to the landlord, housing association Clarion, two years ago, they have yet to be repaired, and have substantially worsened over this time.

To avoid damaging floors in the first place, it is worth removing shoes before walking on them; moving heavy objects and furniture by lifting them up instead of dragging them; and placing rugs down in areas of high traffic.