Hardwood floors are one of the best additions anyone can make to their home. Not only do hardwood floors add value to your home, but they look amazing and add character as well. Though hardwood floors are incredibly durable, that doesn’t mean you won’t need to replace them at some point. Whether you installed the floors decades ago or you recently bought a home with hardwood floors, there are some signs that indicate it's time to replace your hardwood floors. Read our comprehensive guide below to learn more.
Water Damage
Hardwood flooring is incredibly strong and durable, that is, until excessive amounts of water get ahold of it. Of course, you can clean hardwood floors with some water, but you certainly don’t want the water to stay on the floor for a long period of time. If you begin to see boards warping or separating, there’s a good chance the floor has undergone water damage. Once a board begins to warp, it’s difficult to flatten the board without causing further damage.
Nails Continue Peaking Out
Over years of wear and tear, every hardwood floor is going to expose nails at one point or another. In most cases, you can merely hammer the nails back in or replace them entirely. That said, if you constantly come across exposed nails, it may be a sign that the boards are shifting. Depending on the severity of your floor’s movement and the frequency of exposed nails, you might be able to replace certain boards. However, replacing individual boards makes it easy to see which boards are newer than others, so many people choose to replace the entire floor at this stage.
Squeaks and Creaks
If your floors sound like you’re in a haunted house, it’s either time to move or replace your floors. Squeaky hardwood floors indicate the boards are rubbing against one another. Squeaks and creaks are usually a sign of warped and bowed boards that you should replace. Wood naturally expands and contracts with temperature and moisture fluctuations, and there’s not much you can do to prevent it long term. You should be careful before tearing the whole floor up. Sometimes the hardwood isn’t the problem, and the subfloor is really to blame.
Pest Marks
Wood-bearing pests have no sympathy when it comes to hardwood floors. If you notice impurities in your floors, it’s possible that you have a pest problem. Pests like termites can significantly reduce the integrity of your floors, so if you find pest marks, it’s best to replace the entire floor. You should probably call an exterminator while you’re at it.
Educating yourself on how to know it's time to replace your hardwood floors is important for any homeowner because your floors are a crucial part of your home. Before investing in your next hardwood floors, you should consider reclaimed hardwood floors from a dependable supplier.
Whether you’re on the hunt for custom wide plank flooring or a particular wood species, Hardwood Design Company has you covered. We sustainably source all our wood from Texas and handcraft all our products. Nobody does hardwood flooring better than us, so contact our team today for a sample or estimate. We look forward to working with you.