Do it Yourself or Call a Professional For Hardwood Floor Repair?

Few things add more beauty to your home than wooden floors. There is something about the warm, inviting look that these floors create that make your home look beautiful. A hardwood floor repair is inevitable over the life of your flooring. Are these repairs you can make yourself or would you be better off contacting a professional to survey the damage and complete the job for you.

Hardwood floor repair jobs are typically completed by the same companies that perform installations. These professionals have a working knowledge of how to care for and fix all types of wooden floors. While you may feel confident in your ability to fix common problems, sometimes the issues are greater than the scope of your knowledge. Here are a few common problems that homeowners have with their wooden floors. You can evaluate whether or not these call for a do-it-yourself job or the advice and work of a professional.

The first common problem is floors that are cracking or splitting. Over time, the wood ages and dries out. This is especially common in homes in cooler climates, since dry winter heat can contribute to the problem. Splitting or cracking boards can be nailed down and filled with wood putty, but sometimes the entire plank needs to be removed and replaced. Splitting boards are especially dangerous if you have small children or pets, as splintering can result.

Another problem that is common with wooden floors is buckling. When the planks buckle, it is almost always advised that you call a professional. Many things can contribute to buckling, but a professional can evaluate the moisture levels, workmanship, wear and tear and other things that may be causing the problem. Since there is no one cause and therefore no one solution, it can take some time to get the problem figured out and solved.

One of the most obvious problems that may call for hardwood floor repair is gapping. Gapping is evidenced by the large spaces in between boards. Usually the gaps occur because of changes in temperature and humidity. The heat and humidity in your home may need to be regulated, but there are many factors that professionals look for when they are diagnosing the gaps. Sometimes you can make changes yourself to fix the gaps, but you may need to contact a professional to take a look and perhaps tighten some of the boards in the floor.

Taking care of your wooden floors is quite the task, but many agree that the beauty is worth the trouble. If you care for your floors properly, they may need to be refinished occasionally but should last you a lifetime.