Everyone knows hardwood floors are beautiful, sturdy, and long-lasting. In fact, your hardwood may be one of the things you absolutely love about your home. However, eventually, just like with everything else, wear and tear will set in. This means it may be time to replace the hardwood flooring. There are some sure-fire ways to know when it’s time so keep an eye out for these signs. Talk to our expert flooring consultants today to learn more.

Large Scratches or Marks

Scratches are just par for the course when it comes to hardwood flooring. Think about all of the furniture rearranging and running pets over the years. A couple of marks here and there isn’t really a concern, but when the scratches begin to cover a larger area, take notice. Keep your eyes out for large chips in the wood too. If the scratch is deep enough that it cuts through the stain and you can see the wood below, it has become susceptible to water damage. Even the most minor of spills can cause damage at this point.

Water Damage

Water damage is one of the downsides of hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood is more resistant to water than solid hardwood flooring, but both can still fall victim to warping and other moisture exposure issues. Sealing the floor helps spills from soaking into the wood, but if you have flooding or plumbing issues, serious damage can begin to occur. Water-damaged floors warp, separate, and refinishing is no longer a solution.

Too Many Refinishes

One positive thing about hardwood flooring is being able to refinish them. Refinishing is when you sand down the wood and add a fresh coat of stain or sealant. Refinishing is a way to handle minor damage like scratches and is a good way to change up your home’s style through the years. But when does it become a problem? Floorboards only contain a certain amount of thickness as you sand them down they become thinner. When they are too thin they are no longer structurally sound and likely to crack.

Creaking & Moving

If walking on your hardwood flooring is starting to get a little noisier it’s time to check out your hardwood. Creaking usually means the wood is rubbing against other wood or the subfloor. It can mean the wood is structurally getting weaker. If the floorboards are moving it may be a result of water damage or years of wear and tear. Hardwood issues like moving and swelling can signal bigger structural issues with your home.

Is it Time to Replace Your Hardwood Flooring?

These are just a few of the signs that your hardwood flooring may need to be replaced, but they are some of the most crucial to look for. When your flooring begins creaking, moving, has experienced significant water exposure, or has visible nails, it's certainly time to replace it. When in doubt, call in the experts to help you determine your next steps. When you're ready to replace your hardwood flooring, let our knowledgeable staff help. Contact us today!