Hardwood floors are longer-lasting and more durable than laminate or softwood flooring. However, accidents can damage your hardwood floors if you are not careful enough. Moving the furniture without padding or dropping something heavy can dent your hardwood floor.
Accidents are inevitable and can scratch, gouge, or dent even the sturdiest hardwood floors. However, if your hardwood floor gets dented, there are several methods to fix them. You can repair a dent with putty/ wood filler or with steam.
Hardwood flooring dents are annoying, ruining the floor’s aesthetics and sometimes undermining the integrity of the whole floor. Luckily, fixing hardwood floor dents is simple. The following guide will help you fix all kinds of dents in your hardwood floor and restore its look.
Why Does Wood Get Dent?
When you drop something heavy on the floor, it pushes the wood fibers, which shows as a dent.
Moving Heavy Furniture Recklessly
One of the major causes of dents on the hardwood floor is moving furniture around without installing padding on your furniture. Dragging heavy furniture on the hardwood floor is not a good idea since it can scratch the floors or dent them.
Dropping Heavy Stuff
Hardwood floors get dents easily. Something as small as a plate or golf ball can dent the hardwood floor if you accidentally drop it. This is another common cause of dents on any type of floor. Fortunately, dents on a hardwood floor are easy to fix with several effective methods.
Bringing Heavy Machinery Indoors
Heavy instruments can cause larger issues than dents, such as tearing, staining, and creaking on your hardwood floors. The weight limit for the hardwood floors is around 40 pounds per square foot. So, if you plan on bringing heavy items such as a piano, bookshelves, or cupboards, ensure they weigh less than 500 pounds.
Water
Hardwood floors are not waterproof though they are water-resistant with finish and varnish. Water may not dent the floor, but a dent in the floor can let the water seep into the wood underneath, making the damage even worse.
Learn about How to Repair Laminate Floor
Assess the Damage
Though hardwood floors are tough, you will be surprised how easy it gets dented. Even high heels, dropping plates, or bouncing baseballs can cause a dent.
A dent is different from a scratch. Scratches occur all the time, and some are not visible. A hardwood floor can get scratches from dogs’ and cats’ nails. On the other hand, a dent occurs when a heavy object drops on it.
Read more about How to Remove Scratches from Wood Floors
So, assess the nature of the damage first and determine if you are dealing with a dent or scratches because this can change how to deal with it. Then check how deep scratches and grooves are and what caused them.
How to Repair Dents in Hardwood Floor
Steam
It is fairly easy to fix if it’s just the uppermost finish layer that needs repairing. There might be a few unsightly scratches and tiny dents in this case, and no hardwood material is missing. Fixing dents of this type is easy with steam.
To remove dents with heat and moisture, clean the area around the damage and ensure no splinters are missing from your prefinished wood floor. Then place a dampened towel on the dent and place an iron on it. The steam will push the wood fiber upwards, removing the dent.
Learn Clever Uses of Pressure Washer
Repeat this procedure until the dent is completely leveled and back to the original level. This method will only take 3 to 5 minutes, and your hardwood floor will be good as new.
If the scratch is too deep to fix, there are other methods you can use for fixing dents. You may have to replace the boards with new ones if you have to.
Water
Pour a little water on the dent and transfer the water into the cut with a matchstick or pipette head. This might turn the varnish or finish blue known as “blushing.” Don’t be alarmed by this since it does not harm the integrity of the finish.
Use a dry cloth to dab away the excess water, and then put a damp folded cloth over the dent. Place a hot iron onto the cloth and let it steam. Remove the fabric and the iron and check if the dent is removed.
Keep repeating this process till the dent has been leveled to the rest of the floor;
Floor Repair Kit
Repair kits are perfect for repairing dents and light scratches on hardwood floors. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the recommended repair kit for your hardwood floor. Different repair kits have different contents, but some tools are common in all the kits, such as wood putty knives, stain pens, filler, etc. You find various kits online or from your local hardware store. Whichever repair kit you buy, ensure it has a melting tool and hard wax bars.
Here is how you can repair the dents in your wooden floor with a repair kit:
- Clean the dent and make sure there are no splinters, and wipe it off dry.
- Pick a hard wax bar that matches the color of the hardwood floor. Use a melting tool to melt the wax bar and fill the dent.
- Wait until it dries, flatten the surface with a special filler applicator, and remove excess wax around the patch.
- Varnish the floor to finish the surface and blend it with the floor.
Repair kits are very convenient, and you can use them even if you have little experience with them.
Minwax
Another method to repair the dent in the hardwood floor is with Minwax and paint. This method is extensive yet effective. You will need to repair a dent with this method: Minwax wood filler, paint, poly sealant, putty knife, and floor repair marker. Below is a step-by-step guide to repairing a dent in the wood floor.
- Fill the dented area with Minwax.
- Use a putty knife to flatten the surface. If it is difficult to level the surface with a putty knife, you can use a cloth to do it.
- Use a damp cloth to remove excess Minwax from the edges. Leave the product to dry for a few minutes. Remember to remove the excess Minwax before it dries and hardens.
- Paint it to blend it in with the rest of the floor.
- Apply a poly sealant to finish the surface.
Replacing Planks
Hardwood floorboards can be replaced if the dents are beyond repair. You can get help from a professional or replace the planks yourself. However, it is always better to get it done by a professional, especially if you haven’t had any previous experience.
Required Items:
To replace the hardwood planks, you will require a pry-bar, safety goggles, a putty knife, and a screwdriver.
Removing Baseboards
Take out the baseboards first to install the hardwood planks. Open the baseboards using a pry bar from the wall. Unscrew the screws if there are any.
Remove the Boards
Remove the board closest to the dented area. Use a screwdriver to remove any transition strips. Take out the dented board with the end of a pry-bar.
Remove the Dented Plank and Replace it.
Remove the damaged board and replace it with a new one. Install the other planks and then put the baseboard back in its place.
Abrasion
A dent in the hardwood floor that didn’t go through the finish can be fixed with abrasion. Then you can recoat the area to blend it with the rest of the floor. This process is similar to polishing your car to remove the scratches.
Remove the scratches without damaging the hardwood floor using a fine steel wool pad. If you want to use a water-based finish afterward, consider a different kind of pad. The steel wool leaves powder residue that does not go well with the water-based finish.
You can repair minor scratches and dents in a wood flooring and melt a burn-in stick whose color matches your wood floor.
How to Prevent Dents on Hardwood Floor?
Hardwood floors can get dents for several reasons, but there are numerous ways to prevent most of the dents. Dents are accidental, but if you take precautions and be careful enough, your hardwood floor will be safe.
Furniture Pads
Furniture pads are installed to the ends of the furniture and keep the furniture from scratching or denting the hardwood floor when you move the furniture around. You can move the furniture around with these pads without denting the floor.
Rugs
Rugs keep your floor safe from scratches and dents. You can place rugs around the dining table or other high-traffic areas to prevent your floor from getting dents. They offer padding that protects your hardwood flooring while improving the aesthetics of your living space.
Proper Maintenance
Regular maintenance keeps the hardwood floor in perfect shape and increases its strength to prevent dents from stilettos or furniture legs. It allows you to keep a clean and healthy environment.
