Should You Repair or Replace Your Hardwood Floors?
From a minor scratch to dealing with severe water damage, your hardwood flooring can be susceptible to various issues. This can be especially true if your floors are low quality or old. The type and severity of damage must be first assessed when trying to determine whether you should have hardwood floor repair, or just replace it completely. It can also help to avoid any further damage and keep replacement floors from going the same way.
When Replacement Is Needed
These are the common causes that will result in replacement and not repair:
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Water Damage or Flood
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Improper Installation
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Excessive Wear and Tear
Repair or Replace: Improperly-Installed Floors
Most damage that occurs in the first year is due to how the floors were installed. This is why it is vital to bear these things in mind before, during, and after a hardwood flooring installation project:
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Follow all manufacturer-provided instructions for installation.
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Always acclimate the floors.
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Use the proper tools required for the job.
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Be aware of the potential installation mistakes that can be made – and avoid them!
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Hire a professional and experienced installer if you’re not comfortable installing yourself.
Flooring That Is Cupping
Cupping is when the hardwood planks start to dip in the middle and the edges curl up. Flooring that has absorbed too much moisture on the underside will result in the expansion and cupping of the planks. So if your floors are cupping, it could mean that the subfloor was not sealed properly during installation or a subpar vapor barrier was used. When cupping is only in a small area, a repair could resolve the problem. Affected planks will need to be removed, a proper vapor barrier put down, and new planks installed. When the issue is in a larger area, a complete replacement may be needed.
If you would like to make an appointment with a reputable hardwood floor repair service, please contact Flooring Contractor by Chen at (215) 833-3073 now if you live in the Philadelphia, PA region.