If you have real wood floors in your living or family room, especially older ones, you may be very proud of the charm, warmth and ambiance the floor brings to your home. However, I wouldn’t suggest having a “formal” type of party where ladies wear stiletto heels and guys have their best dress shoes on. Heels can do a lot of damage to wooden floors; dents, actual holes and unattractive scuffing. Stick to casual parties with athletic shoes and sandals, or have people take off their shoes or wear slipper (even if it’s annoying). You will be happier later.
Creative Commons (colblat 123 “High Heels a’dancin'”)
In case this advice came too late, and damage has already been done, you have some options. Some damage to wood floors is so bad that the only alternative is to remove and replace. However, some dents and holes are quite repairable. Inspect what type of damage you have and follow the guide below:
DENTED:
Dampen a rag and lay across the dents; let sit for a short time and then press with a hot iron briefly and inspect. The moisture and heat may draw the wood fibers upward and fill out the dent.
Click to get pre-approved for a home mortgage!
HOLES:
Fill the holes with a good wood putty, and sand smooth when dry. Apply some matching wood color stain with a small paint brush. An alternate method would be to mix the stain directly into the wood putty.
DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR:
Creative Commons (Heather Fowler: Scratches)
Using a circular saw, cut the damaged boards length-wise down the center to remove. Use a hammer and chisel to get all the wood out along the edges of surround good boards. Have a flooring expert help you match replacement wood as close to the correct color. Cut off the bottom edge of the grove connector then place the new board in, making sure it is correctly secure. Use small wood nails to finish and use wood putty in the tiny nail holes.
Then, have a lawn party!
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, click here.
