How to Save a Damaged Hardwood Floor: The Ultimate DIY Hardwood Floor Repair Guidebook for Beginners

How to Save a Damaged Hardwood Floor: The Ultimate DIY Hardwood Floor Repair Guidebook for Beginners

By Coconix Shop on December 14, 2021

Hardwood floor damages can be one of the most expensive repairs that you will encounter at home. One simple damage can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. It doesn’t matter if you’re the homeowner or the renter, it’s always daunting trying to figure out how to fix it. But there are some really good solutions out there that allow you to do it yourself and save thousands! DIY repair kits can be your go-to in situations like this. They’re easy to use and do the job perfectly! In this guide, we’ll explain the different methods you can use to repair your hardwood flooring based on the damage that has occurred. Damages include minor scratches, stains, and burns.

In this guide, we'll take you through:

1. Identifying your damage.
2. Identifying solutions to fix the damage.
3. Seeing repairs that others have done.
4. Learning how you can fix it yourself.

If this sounds exactly what you're needing, then come along and read this guidebook! If you already know your damage type, you can select your damage type below and skip straight to our detailed instructions for fixing the damage.

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Table of Contents

SECTION 1

Can I DIY?: Gauge your Hardwood Floor Damage

SECTION 2

DIY Hard Floor Repair Pros

SECTION 3

DIY Hard Floor Repair Cons

SECTION 4

Common Hardwood Repair Questions

SECTION 5

How to?

SECTION 6

Before & After: Repair Result Photos

SECTION 7

BONUS

SECTION 8

CONCLUSION



SECTION 1: Can I DIY?: GAUGE YOUR HARDWOOD FLOOR DAMAGE



Before investing time, money, and effort into DIYing the repair of your hardwood floor, first, let us help you quickly gauge the damage of your hardwood floor. Below, we have listed both the damages that are DIY repairable, and those that are not DIY repairable, for your reference. If your damage fits into the DIY repairable category then you’re in luck! We can provide you a number of different ways to affordably repair your damage. Unfortunately, if you’re on the other side and your damage is a bit more severe, we recommend that you seek the help of a professional.


DIY repairable damages:

  • Surface scratches and scuffs
  • Wood scrapes and nicks
  • Chips and dents
  • Cracks and gaps
  • Stain and surface marks
  • Holes and knots

None DIY repairable damages:

  • Pet urine and other pet accidents
  • Buckling and warping
  • Cupping and crowning
  • Termites

If you’re still umming and ahhing, check out our next section of pros and cons. We lay out all the reasons you should do it and some of the not so great cons that you might want to also consider! Included is cost comparison of DIY compared to professional help that we broke down and researched for you. Seeing how much you’ll save might just hit the nail on the head for you.




SECTION 2: PROFESSIONAL REPAIR COSTS vs. REPAIR COST



This fabric damage meter could be instrumental in several ways. It could provide a quantifiable measure to standardize damage assessments, enabling comparative analysis between fabric samples. We have this device that could offer real-time insights into fabric wear and tear, facilitating predictive maintenance by indicating when fabrics are on the brink of failure or need replacement.


Hardfloor Repair Pros

This section will help you decide if DIY is a wise decision or if hiring a professional would be the best option.


1. Money-Saver: Professional Repair Cost vs. DIY Cost

We have laid out the floor repair costs for you below so you can have a greater scope of the repair situation in terms of money. Table 1 below shows the average cost of professional floor repairs compared to the cost of DIY according to the different flooring material and table 2 refers to the average costs depending on the damage type.


Flooring Material Average Cost of Professional Repair Average DIY Repair Cost
Laminate $225 - $400 $19 - $50 (including repair tools and materials)
Cork $225 - $500
Vinyl $225 - $1,000
Bamboo $250 - $500
Hardwood $250 - $3,000

Scratches or Scuffs on Carpets

Table 1: Average Cost by Flooring Material

As seen in table 1, the average costs for professional repairs range from $225 up to $3,000. Bearing in mind that this is only the average, the price can go up significantly more, depending on the floor damage.

The high cost average is actually pretty normal considering that wood is an expensive flooring material in the first place. It’s a very high maintenance material and needs an extensive care routine in order to keep it damage-free.


Scratches or Scuffs on Carpets

Table 2: Average Cost by Floor Damage Type

As you would imagine, as the floor damage worsens, the average cost per repair increases. Professional repair prices are fairly reasonable if you are looking for quick, hassle-free repairs. You won’t have to worry about setting time aside for the repair, learning how to do the repair beforehand, or finding the tools that you need. But sometimes we just don’t have the money to spare or you just really like the challenge of doing it yourself!



2. Skill & Experience Provider

Things don’t always go as planned especially with DIY repairs. Since these projects vary in difficulty based on the severity of the damage, the repair results can also vary. The repair results may be affected by certain factors like time, attention to detail, following the steps correctly, the products and materials used, temperature and climate, and so on. Many things could go wrong, but that is also true in most things in life. What’s good about this guidebook is that it gives you absolutely all of the information you would need for the repair of your flooring.


3. Convenient and Practical Problem Solver

With money saving factor considered, DIY repairs are also very convenient and can be quite practical and easy problems to solve once you know how. Sometimes, being practical and using your hands to tackle new tasks can be such a nice break from the 9-5 work week we all get consumed by. Plus, it means there’s no need to find a person you can trust to do the job or having to fork out the money. This kit is great for wooden floor repairs and gives you everything you need in the one kit! There’s no need to research any further either once you’ve got the kit and there’s plenty of help available, just click here and reach out to support if you still have unanswered questions after reading this guidebook!




SECTION 3: HARDFLOOR REPAIR CONS



It’s not always rainbows and butterflies when doing DIY repair projects. Here are some of the cons you should be aware of.


1. Time and Effort Required

As most DIY repairs do, DIY floor repairs require time and effort. In order to get the best results possible, giving yourself time and putting in the effort is an essential. It can be a difficult task, but the whole point of this repair guide is to give you absolutely all the knowledge you need and also help you to answer any queries you have. We’ve thought of it all! (at least we hope so!!). The team is always here to help and we promise that all your invested time and effort will definitely be worth it!


2. Repair Results Can Vary

Things don’t always go as planned especially with DIY repairs. Since these projects vary in difficulty based on the severity of the damage, the repair results can also vary. The repair results may be affected by certain factors like time, attention to detail, following the steps correctly, the products and materials used, temperature and climate, and so on. Many things could go wrong, but that is also true in most things in life. What’s good about this guidebook is that it gives you absolutely all of the information you would need for the repair of your flooring.


3. Unexpected Consequences

With DIY repairs, you must also expect the unexpected. There are times that things may go the other way around. When you take the DIY path, you must keep your mind open that things may go terribly wrong. Instead of saving money, there is a chance that the repair would cost you more. Instead of fixing the damage, you may end up worsening the situation. But this can only happen if you allow yourself to be negative and fail to prepare yourself for the repair. Don’t forget that if you’re in doubt, or if things may start to go wrong, you have the entire DIY community and our expert Coconix team to help you get better repair results!In the next section we answer some of the commonly asked questions and provide you with an overview of what you will need to prepare or practice for your repair.




SECTION 4: Common Hardwood Repair Questions



If you are here in this section, then it would only mean you have decided to go ahead with DIY. But we know that you might still have a few questions in mind you would like to be addressed. In this section, we have laid out all the frequently asked questions to clear up some that you might have in mind.

1. Skill Level

Below we have created a table so that you can see on a scale of DIY beginner to wood professional all of the damage types and the expertise needed to fix the problem.

Table 3: Skill Level Required per Damage Type

Skill Level Required per Damage Type

2. Necessary Tools

Below is an exact outline of all of the tools necessary to complete each repair based on the damage types.


3. Different Types of Damages

Below we have included images of different damage types so that you can get an idea of the tools you need to complete the repair and again, we highlight the level of experience that is necessary to complete the repair.


MINOR DAMAGES

Scratches or Scuffs on Carpets

Scratches And Marks

Cause: These damages are caused by many factors. Scratches can be caused by simply using a traditional broom or duster instead of a microfiber duster or cloth. Your wood floors might also get scratches from outside debris that is brought inside from your shoes. Not putting welcome mats, as unusual as it sounds, will also eventually lead to scratches and marks. Not using furniture pads can also cause heavy scratches on your hardwood floors. Moreover, your cute furry friends usually cause floor marks with their claws.

Repair Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner

Dents, Cracks, Gaps, And Chips

Dents, Cracks, Gaps, And Chips

Cause: Nails are the most common culprit. Heavy pressure when nailing causes cracks. Chips and dents, on the other hand, are usually caused by accidents like dropping heavy objects.

Repair Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner - DIY Intermediate

Knots

Knots

Cause: Knots are wood’s imperfection. Wood knots appear in the trunk of a tree where branches have died.

Repair Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner - DIY Pro

All of these minor damages can easily be fixed with Coconix Floor and Furniture Repair Kit. Coconix’s easy-to-use DIY wood repair kit will help you to cover the imperfections and make your hardwood floors look good as new.

Gaps

Gaps

Abnormally wide gaps typically indicate improper installation. Wood expands during humid weather and contracts during dry periods, so any gaps on your floors will appear larger during some seasons than others. If floorboards were excessively wet during installation, the gaps between them will be wider when they dry.

Repair Skill Level Required: DIY Intermediate - DIY Pro

Burns

Burns

This type is not as common as scratches and dents in wood floors. However, burns do occur, especially in kitchens from hot appliances and from fire particles that emit from heat sources such as fireplaces.

Repair Skill Level Required: DIY Intermediate - DIY Pro


SEVERE DAMAGES

Squeakiness and Loose Boards

Squeakiness and Loose Boards

This type is not as common as scratches and dents in wood floors. However, burns do occur, especially in kitchens from hot appliances and from fire particles that emit from heat sources such as fireplaces.

Repair Skill Level Required:DIY Intermediate - DIY Pro

Pet Accidents

Pet Accidents

Pet urine can cause permanent damage to wood floors when not immediately attended to. If the urine stays for any amount of time unattended, the ammonia in the urine will seep into the wood, burning it and turning the wood into black. The waste materials and gases from the decomposing urine create an unpleasant and pungent odor.

Repair Skill Level Required:Floor repair professional

If the pet damage is too severe, you may have to remove all the flooring, repair or replace the subflooring, and install a brand new floor.

Warping

Warping

Warping wood floors are often due to extreme temperature or moisture conditions. This can also be caused by exposure to too much water.

Repair Skill Level Required: Floor repair professional

Mold, Rot, And Odors

Mold, Rot, And Odors

This type of damage is mainly due to extreme exposure to water and moisture. It can also be due to wet subfloor damage.

Repair Skill Level Required: Floor repair professional

Termite Damage

Termite Damage

Termites eat the wood pulp, leaving the wood behind severely compromised. Termite damage on your floors is so severe that your floors may not recover even after the infestation is dealt with.

Repair Skill Level Required: Floor repair professional

Cupped Edges

Cupped Edges

Cupping on wood floors is a form of water damage. Cupped boards are those whose edges are raised higher than their center. This can happen when the wood flooring is installed over a wet subfloor. Also, high relative humidity can be a cause.

Repair Skill Level Required: Floor repair professional

Crowning Edges

Crowning Edges

Crowning is the reverse of cupping, with the center of the board elevating higher than its edges. Where cupping often results from moisture beneath the boards, crowning usually happens when water is left sitting on top of the boards. Crowning can also occur when cupped wood floors are sanded before the moisture is addressed.

Repair Skill Level Required: Floor repair professional

Buckling

Buckling

Buckling is the third and most severe way that wood flooring may react to moisture. When a floor buckles, the boards lift up several inches. Buckling most often results from flooding, but other moisture problems can also cause buckling if the boards were installed too close together and don’t have room to expand, or if the boards were improperly fastened to the floor.

Repair Skill Level Required: Floor repair professional

If the buckling is only minimal, dry the extra moisture out by using any of the following:

  • Heavy flat object (box, chest, weights, etc.) to flatten the buckling until moisture dries
  • Dry towel and a good disinfectant cleaner to dry vacuum the buckling
  • Electric fan to speed up drying process
  • Dehumidifier

If buckling is severe, prepare the following for replacing the floorboards:

  • Chalk or grease pencil
  • Ruler or straight edge
  • Circular saw
  • Pry bar
  • Chisel
  • Hammer
  • Towels
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Electric fan
  • Floor scraper
  • Replacement planks, spare planks, or natural wood boards
  • Flooring adhesive or nails
  • A heavyweight or weights (for placing on the board while the glue is drying)

These severe damages are too severe for DIY repair as the repair process needs professional advice and guidance. If you have found your wood floor damage in one of these severe types, then it’s time to call your go-to flooring company or floor professional to fix your wood floor problem.




SECTION 5: HOW TO?




How to Repair Hardwood Minor Scratch and Scuffs

Tools and materials needed:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Wood repair kit:
    • Wood putty
    • Colored repair compound
    • Brush
    • Mixing jar
    • Spatula
  • Fine brush (if the included brush in the kit is not refined enough)
  • Paper towel

The process for repairing stains and discoloration is pretty much the same with the steps in repairing scratches and scuffs. However, this does not require a fine brush for detailed touch ups.

1. Start by cleaning the area and removing any debris. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.

2. Apply the repair compound to the damaged area. Use the spatula for larger applications and the brush for surface applications and detail touch ups. Smooth out the surface and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.

3. Allow several hours to dry until the repair compound is no longer sticky to touch. If needed, apply additional layers until the repaired area is flush with the rest.



How to Repair Hardwood Holes and Knot

Tools and materials needed:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Thin-tip splinter tweezers
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood repair kit:
    • Wood putty
    • Colored repair compound
    • Brush
    • Mixing jar
    • Spatula
  • Paper towel

1. Prepare the damaged area by carefully removing paint chips and wood splinters. Clean the area and remove any debris. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.

2. For damaged corners or holes wider and deeper than 1/4 of an Inch, first use the wood putty to fill the gap. Cut off the required amount of wood putty and knead it to a uniform color. Apply within 2 minutes after kneading. Press the putty firmly until curing is noticeable. Please do not leave a bulge. For a smooth surface, rub the area with a damp cloth prior to hardening. After 1 hour, the wood putty can be sanded, tapped and drilled.

3. Apply the repair compound to the damaged area. First, apply it along the edges and work from the outside to the center to avoid air bubbles. Use the spatula for larger applications and the brush for surface applications and detail touch ups. Smooth out the surface and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.

4. Allow several hours to dry until the repair compound is no longer sticky to touch. If needed, apply additional layers until the repaired area is flush with the rest.



How to Repair Hardwood Cracks, Chips, and Dents

Tools and materials needed:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Thin-tip splinter tweezers
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood repair kit:
    • Wood putty
    • Colored repair compound
    • Brush
    • Mixing jar
    • Spatula
  • Paper towel

1. Prepare the area by carefully removing paint chips, splinters and debris. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.

2. For cracks or chips wider and deeper than 1/4 of an Inch, first use the wood putty to fill the gap. Cut off the required amount of wood putty and knead it to a uniform color. Apply within 2 minutes after kneading. Press the putty firmly until curing is noticeable. Do not leave a bulge. For a smooth surface, rub the area with a damp cloth prior to hardening. After 1 hour, wood putty can be sanded, tapped and drilled.

3. Apply the repair compound to the damaged area. First, apply it along the edges and work from the outside to the center to avoid air bubbles. Use the spatula for larger applications and the brush for surface applications and detail touch ups. Smooth out the surface and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.



How to Match Wood Color and Create Grain Pattern

1. KNOW YOUR BASE COLOR

Most wood materials used in hardwood flooring have grain and patterns on them. Because of these grains and patterns, we would usually overlook the real base color of our wood. Knowing the true base color of your wood will definitely help you in creating your base color mixture. With Coconix, you can definitely mix two or more colors to get the perfect color match of your wood. You will also be able to use just one color straight from the kit if your wood color is one of the most common ones like walnut, mahogany, maple, oak, and cherry.

2. BEFRIEND YOUR COLOR CHART

You might have a difficult time mixing and matching if you do not understand how the color chart included in your wood repair kit works. While reading this portion, it’s best to have your wood color chart ready with you!

On the Color Mixing Guide portion of your repair kit manual, you will see colors with labels on the left side and colors with labels on the bottom part. Look for the best base color match of your wood floor or wood furniture across the colors on the grids. Once you have found the perfect color match, follow the grid on a horizontal line to the left to know your main color. Then, follow the grid in a vertical line to the bottom to look up your secondary color. There are times that you would only need one color, especially when your wood floor or furniture perfectly matches one of the repair compounds in the kit. You will see the meaning of the color labels at the bottom portion where the color legends are indicated. Your Color Mixing Guide also has easy instructions if ever you get confused along the way. On the lower right corner of your Color Mixing Guide is where you will find how to contact us in case you need further help with color matching.

3. ADJUST YOUR COLOR MIXTURE

When mixing your base color, you will have to use the two key colors in wood color matching: Black and White. These two repair compound colors will help you adjust the tint of your base color mixture. It is also very important to remember that you only have to add tiny amounts of black or white at a time. BE REMINDED, A LITTLE AMOUNT GOES A LONG WAY!

3. PRACTICE YOUR PATTERN

After getting the perfect color mixture for your wood base color, you will have to practice doing the grains or patterns on your wood. Most of the wood patterns can be recreated by using Mahogany, Walnut or Black. Of course, it will still depend on your wood pattern’s color so you must identify which perfectly matches its color. Then, you may try doing the pattern using the brush included in the kit. Don’t be afraid to experiment on this step. The more you practice, the more you’ll be familiar with your wood’s grain or pattern and how to perfectly copy it. The saying “practice makes perfect” never gets old.



SECTION 6: Before & After: Repair Result Photos



The following images and testimonies from Coconix Shop on Amazon will help you believe that DIY wood repair can be easy, fun, and possible! The results will truly amaze you and will surely give you confidence in starting your own DIY wood repair project.


1. “The best product to use to repair a finished wood floor”

By Jeff on Oct 04, 2019

Scratches or Scuffs on Carpets

I have bamboo flooring and there was a nasty scratch where a drunk friend rolled a computer chair over the floor. Horrified at the scratches I decided to try this repair kit. Wow!! I can’t believe how much better! I had to use paint brushes from a nail kit for fine detail work (the brush in the set is like a kids water color brush), and it took several layers to get it right. I went back after it dried a little with a super SUPER fine tip marker with a dark brown to create “wood grain” lines in it and the result is fab.

“However, I decided to email Coconix customer assistance to ask for their expert assistance as they suggested. I received a quick and detailed response from Maria, the Customer Success Manager at Coconix. Maria recommended to use the colors that I had chosen (Cherry and Oak) and provided detailed instructions, including the colors to recreate the grain of the wood. The pictures that are shown are just with the colorant applied. I ran out of the Cherry color. Maria at Coconix followed up to check how the repair was going, and volunteered to send more colorant so that I can finish the repair for free. What a great job Coconix does at customer service. I have not applied the grain yet or the top coat yet, since the colorant must be completed first. Maria at Coconix also made suggestions about what can be used to restore the top coat.

This product is excellent for a indistinguishable repair, but you must be patient and take your time. After you make some test colors and contact Coconix for their color mixing suggestions, you will get used to using this product. Always mix the color, then test it on a piece of scrap or in a remote area of the project to get the color correct before doing the actual repair. I also purchased an artists angled pallette knife, as shown in the picture. This blade is flexible and gives you 2 angles, very handy to level off the filler, and create clean lines between the wood floor planks if needed. If you would like a professional grade repair, hardly noticeable, give this product a try.

Take a picture of the damage which reflects the actual color as much as possible. Do not use flash. A cell phone picture with distant room light works well. Purchase the kit, and send the picture off to Coconix with a description of the damage. And take your time to get the best results. Coconix will provide you with the assistance to get a great repair!”


2. “Best kit I have used! Protip: get cheap fine tip pens to create wood grain look”

By kayoss on Oct 02, 2019


"I have bamboo flooring and there was a nasty scratch where a drunk friend rolled a computer chair over the floor. Horrified at the scratches I decided to try this repair kit. Wow!! I can’t believe how much better! I had to use paint brushes from a nail kit for fine detail work (the brush in the set is like a kids water color brush), and it took several layers to get it right. I went back after it dried a little with a super SUPER fine tip marker with a dark brown to create “wood grain” lines in it and the result is fab."

3. “Saved our floor!”

By Daizy4070 on Feb 08, 2021



"Loooovvveed the color selection and easy to use. We had a mystery spot appear that stripped the laminate. To this day, we still have no idea what spilled and we tried just about everything before we ordered this. The spot was resistant to everything-wood marker, crayon, etc. I highly recommend getting a cheap brush set, as others have mentioned the brush that comes with it is useless. Also, don't be afraid to mix colors, even if you don't think your wood contains that color. You would be surprised at the combos I tried on a paper plate beforehand that worked. Use a thin coat, let dry completely and then come back and put on a thicker coat. I also did a bit of "freehand" at the end to give it more swirls and we're thrilled with the result!”

4. “Super Amazon Seller!”

By Jack C Underwood on Jun 08, 2019



“Mixing container keeps everything ready to use as you blend the product to match. The products and support are great. HIGHLY RECOMMEND”

5. “It looks a lot better!!!”

By Nathaniel J Daniels on Aug 02, 2020


“I really love this product, I posted pictures before and after one application. It already looks a lot better. I would definitely recommend this to my friends. My hardwood floor has different types of shades, I used only the color Walnut, I may try to mix more colors next time. You may notice it, but I am sure your guests won’t.”



SECTION 7: BONUS




HOW TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT YOUR HOME WITHOUT DAMAGING YOUR FLOOR

COVID-19 has caused many of us to remain at home to help prevent the spread of the virus. While at home, it’s a great time to clean and disinfect your home. However, there is a big difference between simply cleaning and disinfecting your home. Cleaning helps to remove germs, bacteria, and viruses but does not kill them, though this does lower the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This does not necessarily clean dirt or remove these germs, so it is always best to clean first and then disinfect to lower the risk of spread. Good thing, when it comes to flooring, disinfecting is rarely necessary in any case. CDC studies have shown that disinfecting floors has minimal impact beyond regular cleaning. However, it wouldn’t hurt much if you go ahead and disinfect your wood floors after cleaning them.






SECTION 8: CONCLUSION



DIY wood repair is not a piece of cake. But with the right tools and materials, the right wood repair kit, and this ultimate guidebook, you will surely get the repair results you are looking for. And the most important thing is that you have our Coconix Support Team to assist you and to answer any questions that you may have before, during, and after your repair project.



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