Then, vacuum up the sanding dust thoroughly, mop the floor… Does it need to be replaced? How to Repair Floors Which Are Already Faded. Step 2 Buff the floor gently with a piece of steel wool if it has a varnish or urethane finish. Some basic cleaning techniques can be applied to restore your hardwood floor. Wood floor discoloration – why does it happen, and what can you do to prevent your customers from blaming you? Floating hardwood floors are also becoming more readily available – they install like laminate flooring – … Fading and discoloration in a wood floor may be caused by rugs. Most hardwood flooring comes in strips, planks or parquet and is available in thicknesses ranging from 5/16 to ¾ inches. Moved into the house with a few faded spots on the hardwood. Some species of hardwood darken in color with prolonged sun exposure while others will lighten. Hardwood is typically installed by nailing it down or gluing it to a concrete subfloor. Is there anything I can do or do I need to get is sanded and refinished? The previous owners had a garbage pail there so maybe it’s scuffed? Sorry for pic quality. To restore hardwood floors, start by removing any carpeting that's covering the floor, if needed. — Glenda Greene, Hartselle, AL. The house is only 8 years old and the floors are in excellent condition. A rug blocks the UV light from hitting the floor, which can cause uneven fading of the wood. It will however discolor the flooring faster than normal, usually causing the floor color to lighten or fade. Is there a way to make them look new again? Follow application instructions, and your wood pieces will be looking as good as new in no time! When the bare wood is exposed, sand the entire surface of the floor with an orbital sander 3 times, starting with 30-grit sandpaper and working your way up to 100-grit. Culprit #1: Rugs. Step 1 Sweep up any loose dust or debris from the discolored area of your hardwood floor. The areas under the rugs are a different color due to sun exposure. We're putting the house on the market and would like a quick, painless fix if it exists. In most cases it isn’t the whole floorboard which has slightly faded, but the finishing. The effect that sunlight has on your hardwood floor all depend on what species it is. The most effective way of dealing with any hardwood floor which is faded on the surface is to sand off the top layer of finish and refinish it. Read on to discover tips and tricks about the best ways to clean, restore, and care for hardwood floors. This can remove some of the discoloration. 3. You can also repair … I don’t know if this is water damage or just general wear and tear. Mix thoroughly ¾ cup of oil (canola oil is perfect) and ¼ cup of vinegar (white or apple cider). Repair Minor Nicks & Scratches To repair fairly minor damage, just use this all natural recipe to restore your wood. My 15-year-old oak parquet floors look worn and sun-faded. We have red oak flooring with area rugs in several rooms. The right product can restore your hardwood flooring, allowing you to eradicate its dull, faded, cloudy look and reclaim the beauty of the wood. how to fix gouges, dents, and deep scratches in hardwood floors Over time, a hardwood floor is bound to get scratched, nicked, or even gouged.