Hardwood flooring is a popular option for homes because of its beauty and durability. However, it involves maintenance as well as knowing when you need to replace the boards. When refinishing is no longer an option, it’s time to call your flooring contractor for a full replacement. 

Hardwood flooring is known to crack and gap over time, and while this can usually be remedied with refinishing, more severe gapping requires a total replacement to ensure safety. It should be noted that during the winter, the cold temperatures can cause the wood to shrink, causing temporary gaps that will fill back in when the summer heat allows it to expand. If you notice that the cracks are just as visible during the warmer months, it’s time to schedule a replacement. 

Weather can negatively affect your hardwood flooring in other ways, mainly due to moisture. Too much humidity makes the wood expand, and without the proper room for growth, it can begin to warp or split. Moisture can also rot your flooring, making it unsafe to walk on and encouraging mold growth. If your floors feel soft at a gentle touch, it’s an indication that the structure of the wood has been compromised. You should call a flooring contractor immediately. 

Stained floors are nothing new, especially for families with pets or small children. While a stained hardwood floor can usually be remedied if the spill is addressed quickly, stains that have set with time won’t come out. You’ll need to call your flooring contractor and see if a refinish will remove the stain. Hardwood flooring can only be refinished so many times before it should be replaced, so if the stain doesn’t disappear, it’s time to remove and replace the stained floorboards entirely. 

For over 25 years, the team at Rochester Hardwood Floor in New York has been providing high-quality hardwood flooring and expert installations for families all over town. If you’re a homeowner who needs flooring work, contact them for help; they can help you determine when it’s time to repair or replace your existing floors. For more information, visit them online, or call them at (585) 377-7800 for a free consultation.