Hardwood floors are designed to last for many years, but over time, they will begin to show signs of aging. Stains, scratch marks from furniture or pets, and fading colors can all diminish the value and appearance of your floors. Luckily, floor refinishing services can restore your wood to look like new. Below are several signs that it’s time to book these services for your home.

When to Schedule Hardwood Floor Refinishing

1. Extensive Scratching

Cleated shoes, heavy foot traffic, pet claws, and furniture legs can all scratch hardwood floors. Whether the scratches are on the finish or the wood itself, refinishing services can assist.

Professionals will sand down the wood a small amount to remove the scratches and create a smooth new surface. They’ll then re-stain and seal the floors to protect against moisture and wear and tear.

2. Large Stains & Discoloration

Stains from pet urine, discoloration from sun exposure, gray age marks, and other blemishes can be eyesores on wood flooring. Some issues can’t be fixed with cleaning agents, which is where hardwood floor refinishing comes in.

The refinishing process buffs the stained and discolored areas until they’re gone from the wood’s surface, leaving pristine floors.

3. The Water Test

Even if your hardwood floors look fine, you should test the sealant barrier. Pour one teaspoon of water anywhere on the floor. If it pools and sits, the sealant is doing its job. If the water seeps into the wood, you need to have the floor refinished. Moisture can cause wood to warp, crack, discolor, and rot, eventually resulting in costly replacements and water damage beneath the flooring.

4. Style

If you’re rethinking your interior design and the current wood floors don’t fit into the vision, refinishing professionals can help. They can paint or stain the wood any color once they’ve sanded it down, giving you complete creative control. You’ll save money that would otherwise be spent on new flooring while also improving your hardwood floors, which add value to your home.

If you’re ready to schedule hardwood floor refinishing, contact American Floors in Riverside, RI. They’ve served homeowners throughout Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts since 1976 and can help bring your flooring back to life. In addition to refinishing, they also handle floor installation and repair, which you can learn more about on their website. Call (401) 433-0530 to schedule a consultation.