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Hardwood flooring is one of the best choices to bring distinctive air into the interior space, but it changes its behavior with the natural weather and internal air conditions.
Most of the hardwood floor defects are easily repaired without going for complete replacement of the wood. It hence saves a lot of money in terms of maintenance and repair costs.
An ample knowledge of the most prevalent defects of the hardwood floor can help identify the defect quickly and provide instant repair action. This article enlists the most common defects observed in hardwood flooring and their remedial technique.
Contents:
Defects in Hardwood Flooring
The common defects in hardwood are:
- Buckling
- Cupping or Crowning
- Squeaking
- Scuffs and Scratches
- Wide Gaps
- Oxidation
1. Buckling of Hardwood Floors
The protuberance of hardwood floors from the subfloor is called buckling. It is one of the severe defects observed in the hardwood floor due to harsh moisture conditions. Moisture may be a reaction of floods or significant variations of temperature and humidity of the space. Other than these causes, improper drying of hardwood before installation and absence of perimeter space for air circulation results in buckling of hardwood.
The buckling issue of the hardwood floor can be corrected by weighting the floor. This defect must be approached as an issue raised due to moisture problems in the space. So, methods to reduce all possible moisture and humidity issues in the area must be adopted.
Also Read: How to Treat & Prevent Condensation in Buildings? [PDF]
2. Cupping and Crowning of Hardwood Floors
A defect of hardwood floor where just the edges bulge out from the wood floor is called cupping. When the middle portion of the hardwood floor crowns or bulges, then the defect is called crowning.
The main cause behind both the defects is excessive dampness in the room. This dampness can be due to spills, humidity, or any unnoticed drainage issues.
Before repairing, make sure that all the possible causes of moisture content on the floor and surroundings are detected and prevented. After this, the floor is allowed to dry properly. Once the source of moisture in the space is locked, then the crowning or cupping can be treated through sanding. If the defect still persists, then the replacement of the floor is the only option.
3. Squeaking of Hardwood Floors
Squeaking of hardwood floor is caused due to the loose boards that rub against each other or adjacent elements like pipes, nails, or ductwork.
Improper installation of boards or contraction of hardwood floors due to the indoor atmosphere is the main reason behind the squeaking.
The contraction of hardwood occurs mainly due to the dry condition of the space. It can be reduced by introducing humidity in a small amount to the area. The loosened boards need to be fastened in place by using screws. Instead of screws, adhesives can also be used.
4. Scratches in Hardwood Floor
Most of the scratches are shallow in depth that can be easily cleaned, and gentle buffing with steel wool would repair the defect. After this, apply sealant and finish the surface. Deeper scratches must be sanded before resealing and refinishing the floor. The buffing or sanding must be performed in the direction of the grain.
5. Wide Gaps in Hardwood Flooring
Wooden flooring gaps are the unusual separation between two or more wooden boards in the room. While the gaps of smaller width give beauty to the flooring, gaps wider than the standard width is a defect.
Wide gaps are observed mainly due to the improper installation of the wooden floor. This condition worsens during varying weather conditions as the floor expands and contracts.
Another important factor contributing to floor gaps is humidity. Warming of homes during winter season makes the wood to shrink, and cooling during summer makes the wood to expand. In both cases, gaps are formed.
6. Oxidation of Hardwood Floors
The continuous exposure of hardwood floors to sunlight leads to the darkening of the floor with time. This process is called oxidation. It gives the floor a dark-spotted finish. The extent of the oxidation effect is dependent on the location of the windows and other natural sources of light.
The best method to prevent oxidation of the floors is by providing window treatments so that the floor is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hardwood floor cupping be reversed? Before repairing, make sure that all possible causes of moisture content on the floor and surroundings are detected and prevented. After this, the floor is allowed to dry properly. Once the causes of moisture in the space is locked, then the crowing or cupping can be made flat by sanding. If the defect cannot be corrected by sanding, then the replacement of the floor is the only option.
How to fix buckled hardwood floor? The buckling issue of the hardwood floor can be corrected by weighting the floor. This defect must be approached as an issue raised due to moisture problems in the space. So, methods to reduce all possible moisture and humidity issues in the area must be adopted.
Also Read: How to Treat & Prevent Condensation in Buildings? [PDF]
How do you fix scratched hardwood floor? Most of the scratches are shallow in depth that can be easily cleaned, and gentle buffing with steel wool repairs the defect. After this, apply sealant and finish the surface. Deeper scratches must be sanded before resealing and refinishing the floor. The buffing or sanding must be performed in the direction of the grain.
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