My floors have deep scratches and dents - will refinishing fix them all?
My floors have deep scratches and dents - will refinishing fix them all?
Refinishing can fix most scratches and many dents, but not all damage. The key factor is whether the damage goes through the wood or just affects the finish layer.
Surface scratches that only go through the polyurethane finish will completely disappear during refinishing. These are the white or light-colored marks you see that don't catch your fingernail when you run it across them. Deeper scratches that go into the wood itself will be significantly reduced but may still be faintly visible after refinishing, especially in certain lighting conditions.
Dents and gouges present more challenges. Small dents can often be steamed out during the refinishing process - the moisture and heat cause the compressed wood fibers to swell back up. However, deep gouges where wood has been removed cannot be fixed by refinishing alone. These require wood filler or, in severe cases, individual board replacement before refinishing.
In Ottawa's climate, hardwood floors commonly develop scratches from sand and salt tracked in during winter months. Most of this seasonal wear responds very well to refinishing. However, damage from pet claws, furniture legs, or dropped objects may require additional repair work. A professional assessment can determine which scratches will disappear completely and which might need pre-refinishing repairs.
The sanding process removes about 1/32" to 1/16" of wood surface, which eliminates most surface-level damage. If your floors have been refinished multiple times before, there may be limits to how much more material can be safely removed.
For a professional assessment of your floor damage and refinishing options, Ottawa Floor Install passes your request to local contractors, who can evaluate what repairs are needed alongside refinishing work.
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This response was generated by Flooring IQ, an AI assistant. While we base our answers on industry standards and local Ottawa/Ontario requirements, please verify all current regulations, codes, and requirements from their respective sources:
- Permit requirements: City of Ottawa Building Services
- Ontario Building Code: ontario.ca
- Building permits: Ontario Building Code
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