How to Fix Scratched Timer Floors

Timber flooring is a very popular option for home owners and for good reason, there is nothing more classic than gorgeous timber floors. What isn’t pretty is scratched timber, which unfortunately is pretty easy to do. Anything from pets, to high heels to shifted furniture can lead to scratched floor boards. The good news is, these scratches can be treated. How you treat your scratched floor boards will depend on what sort of damage has been done. Here are three ways you can remove scratches from your floorboards.

Shallow Scratches in Timber flooring

Concealing shallow scratches can be relatively easy using a stain marker. However, you don’t want to use the marker on the floor directly as it often makes the stained area too dark. Instead, follow this method.

1. Wipe the scratched area clean using a damp rag to rid it of any debris or dirt.
2. Dampen a rag with a wood stain marker. 10 to 15 dabs should do the trick. (tip: take a photo of your floor so you can find the right wood stain marker.)
3. Rub the stain into the scratch following the grain of the wood.

Fix Timber flooring by sanding

1. Start by cleaning the scratched area of your floorboards with a small amount of hardwood floor cleaner.
2. Wipe down the scratched area with a rag dampened with water to wash off the floor cleaner.
3. Let the floor boards dry completely
4. Rub over the scratch with fine steel wool following the grain of the wood. Lightly sand away the scratch until it blends in with the surrounding wood.
5. Use a clean cloth to remove any dust from the sanding.
6. Rub a wood wax stick over the scratched and sanded area to fill in the scratch.
7. Allow the wood wax to dry and harden for at least 10 minutes.
8. Use a clean soft cloth to rub back and fourth over the scratch and buff the wax.

Fixing Deep Scratches and Gouges in Timber floors

1. Use a soft rag dampened with a small amount of hardwood floor cleaner to clean the scratched area of the wood.
2. Dampen a new rag with water, and wipe down the scratched area of the floor. Allow the scratched area to completely dry before proceeding.
3. If your hardwood floors are coated with a layer of polyurethane, the layer must be removed before you can fix the scratch. Dampen a scouring pad with mineral spirits, and gently rub the scratched area of the floor. Wipe over the area with a clean cloth, and let the area dry completely. If your floors don’t have a polyurethane coating, you don’t need to worry about removing the top finish of the floor.
4. Apply a small amount of wood filler that is similar to the colour of your hardwood floor, to your pointer finger. Use your finger to work the wood filler into the scratch or gouge, spreading the filler in all directions to remove air bubbles.
5. Wipe off excess filling by dragging a putty knife over the wood filler to smooth out the surface, and help push the wood filler into the scratch. Ensure the edges of the scratch and filler are flat and even. Allow the wood filler to completely dry. This might take a few hours to an entire day depending on the wood filler.
6. Use a small pad of fine girt sandpaper and gently sand the area surround the scratch where excess wood filler has been spread. You can sand following the direction of the grain of the wood, or sand in small little circles. Be sure to sand very lightly.
7. Apply a thin layer of the same sealer used on the rest of the hardwood floor to the patched area. Use either a small, natural bristle brush or a lambswool roller to apply the layer of polyurethane, varnish, or sealer. Allow the sealer a complete 24 hours to dry before any traffic is allowed on the surface.