Hardwood floors aren’t just beautiful, but they can also help improve the value of your house. In fact, 90% of real estate agents agree that hardwood flooring helps your home sell for more.
And yet, what if your floors are in bad shape? Here are a few signs you need to install new hardwood flooring.
1. Scratches and Dents
Even though you try to be careful, accidents happen. Soon enough, your beautiful hardwood floors are covered in dents, dings, and scratches. Whether it’s from moving furniture around the room, dropping something heavy onto the floor, or another reason, your floors have seen better days.
Sanding the floor can remove topical scratches, but if you have gouges or splits in the wood, it’s time to replace the floor. Thankfully, replacing the floors doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Check out a company like US Floors for great deals.
2. Water Damage
Some of the worst damage to hardwood floors includes water damage as moisture can cause the boards to warp, separate, and start cupping. If you don’t dry the floor soon enough, the damage can ruin your hardwood.
Light damage can usually be repaired with sanding. More serious damage, such as boards turning black or major separation, means you’ll need to replace the wood.
Soft, spongy, or springy wood is an indication your floorboards are so badly decayed you have no choice but to replace them.
3. Refinishing Doesn’t Help
Sanding and refinishing can help restore cosmetic flaws on your hardwood floors, but refinishing can’t repair all damage. More serious damage isn’t so easy to fix.
Plus, if you’ve already refinished your floors several times, your floorboards are thinner than they used to be. Floors that are too thin can crack.
4. Creaking Floorboards
Some people love the sound of creaky floors as it can add character to a home, but creaking or moving floorboards can indicate a bigger problem underneath.
Creaking or moving boards may be a sign that the wood is rubbing against the subfloor. Sometimes, this can mean less structural integrity. Shifting floors can happen after the wood is exposed to too much moisture or a foundation issue.
5. You Want a New Look
While this isn’t a sign, it can be the biggest reason to invest in new hardwood flooring. Sometimes, you just want a change. If your old floors don’t match the look of your home or if you want a different color or style, consider replacing the hardwood flooring.
A brand new floor not only increases your home’s value, but it can make you feel happier at home too.
Is it Time for New Hardwood Flooring?
If any of these five signs sound familiar to you, it’s time to invest in new hardwood flooring. The good news is that you have more options than ever before, and you can often find great deals on hardwood floors.
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