The beauty of wood flooring is hard to beat. It can also be hard to maintain. Dropped objects can dent it. Spills can damage the finish. Moving furniture can scratch it. What can you do about it? Fix it!

Wood flooring can be solid wood or laminate, and it can range from 3/16 to 3/4 inch in height.

How Does It Work?

Wood flooring comes in solid and laminate versions. Most solid wood flooring is 3/8- to 3/4-inch thick, sanded and finished to stand up to abuse. The wood may be hardwood such as oak, walnut, cherry, or mahogany, or softwood such as pine or spruce. Laminate flooring material is made of layers with wood typically the main ingredient. The top layer may be either real wood or a photograph of real wood, covered by a polyurethane wear layer.

What Can Go Wrong?

The most common problem with a wood floor is damage to the finish. The damage may be water marks, burns, scratches, or gouges. If the wood floor is one of the newer prefinished varieties, check with the manufacturer before attempting to repair the finish. Repairs to all wood floors depend on the finish that protects the wood. You may have to experiment a bit to find what works. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions when using any stripping or finishing products.

Fix-It Tip

If you know the brand of the flooring finish installed in your home you're half way to fixing any problems. For example, if you find out it's Minwax spar urethane, you can read the side of a can to find out how to repair it. The same goes for Danish oil or any other finish. If your flooring is prefinished or a laminate, check with the manufacturer to find out what products are needed to repair the surface.