3 Signs It’s Time to Refinish Your Floors 1. Check for Gaps – When hardwood floors are first installed, the boards are tightly fit together. Over time, as the temperatures grow hot and cold, flooring boards expand and contract and minor gaps can occur. Even walking across floors can cause gaps over a period of years of use. However, gaps can cause problems with your flooring and even damage the boards. The boards no longer fit together and when they are used, the boards can create an abrasive action that eventually will chip your beautiful wood and possibly even make it difficult to repair some boards, forcing you to try to replace them and match up the colour and grain. If there are noticeable gaps, it’s probably time to tighten and refinish your floors. 2. Water Beading – When hardwood has a nice sheen of poly on it, any liquid that hits the surface will bead up almost immediately. As this protective coating wears down, water may get absorbed into the wood, which can damage your floors. The result can be dark stains or even warping. Place a drop or two of water on your floor in an inconspicuous location and see if it beads up or absorbs. If the water does not bead up almost immediately, it may be time to lightly sand and refinish the floors. 3. Level of Scratches – If your floor has deep gouges and is extremely scratched up, then it might be time to refinish. However, if there are only light scratches, you might be able to just do a quick roughing up of the floor (screening) and then coating the wood with a new finish. If you’re uncertain whether your floors are ready to be refinished, it is best to consult a flooring specialist. By refinishing before your floors are seriously damaged, you can save money and keep the beautiful floors your family enjoys. Contact us today if you’re unsure whether it’s time to refinish your floors!]]>
Frequently Asked Questions
What should Toronto homeowners know about 3 signs it's time to refinish floors?
When considering 3 signs it's time to refinish floors, evaluate durability, maintenance requirements, and cost per square foot for your specific needs. Tony’s Flooring Centre at 268 Royal York Rd offers expert advice and free estimates to help you make the right choice for your Toronto home.
How often should hardwood floors be refinished?
Hardwood floors typically need refinishing every 7-10 years in Toronto homes, depending on foot traffic and wear. Signs include visible scratches, dull finish, and discolouration. The NWFA provides detailed refinishing guidelines.
How do I protect floors from winter salt?
Place heavy-duty mats at all entrances to catch salt, sand, and moisture. Remove boots at the door — salt corrodes hardwood finishes. Clean up tracked-in salt immediately with a damp cloth and use runners in hallways during winter.
Get a Free Flooring Estimate in Toronto
Ready to upgrade your floors? Tony’s Flooring Centre has helped Toronto homeowners since 1961. Visit our showroom at 268 Royal York Rd, Etobicoke, or call (416) 255-9631 for a free consultation. Contact us today to get started.