How Useful Are Hardwood Floor Repair Kits?

With the proper tools, any repair job is made easier. The same is true for repairing hardwood floors. When it comes to fixing hardwood floor imperfections, many people panic by worrying that the task will be too big, or they won’t have the right tools. However, most floor repairs are minor and require use of the same tools. Additional items may be necessary to complete the repair but many wood manufacturers and lumber stores carry special hardwood floor repair kits to complete nearly any hardwood floor repair task.

Hardwood Floor Repair Kits to Keep on Hand

As mentioned, many repairs require the same tools. For instance, tools such as, nails, hammers, screws, screwdrivers, sandpaper, stain, and urethane finishes are the most common tools that you’ll use when repairing a hardwood floor. The uniqueness of additional tools will come into play when you discover the type of repair you’re doing.

Touch-Up Kits

Touch-up kits are typically used to fix or remove discolorations, light scratching, or marks on a hardwood floor. The kits are equipped with stain markers, putty sticks, and in some cases, urethane. If you’re merely covering a light scratch in a hardwood floor, putty sticks can fill in the scratch. Stain markers are used to match the area to the rest of the floor, and then the job is completed with a urethane finish over the area.

Wood Filler Kits

Wood filler kits are excellent for covering nail holes, scratches, dents, and gaps in hardwood floors. Generally these are smaller kits and only consist of an assortment of putty sticks in prestained colors, for easy matching to your hardwood floor, and clear finish to complete the task.

Pre-Made Floor Repair Kits

Floor repair kits are more elaborate than the other kits above, but also more costly. Hardwood floor repair kits are used to handle larger tasks such as removing boards, filling wide gaps, or patching a section of hardwood floor. In these types of repair kits you can expect to find the same items that you would in a touch up or wood filler kit, as well as drill bits, dowel rods, a dowel punch, adhesives, metal applicators, and in some cases, wood shims. A floor repair kit is especially designed for larger repair jobs and not necessarily needed for minor repairs such as a scratch.

While the items listed are typical of what is included in the different kind of hardwood floor repair kits, it’s important to understand that many of the smaller and more basic kits are beginning to include shims, adhesives, or scraper blades among their contents. This is due to the fact that many repairs, while simple in nature, may require additional materials, but it’s not known until you begin working to fix the problem.

Before You Begin Any Repair Project

Assessing the damage to your hardwood floor is key before beginning any repair project. You’ll save time and money from going back and forth to the store to obtain forgotten tools or components. One way to ensure that you’re buying the proper repair kit for the job is to inquire with your local hardware store, the wood or floor manufacturer if possible, or home improvement store to explain the type of damage and receive recommendations for the proper repair kit for the job.

Hardwood floor repair kits can definitely make a task seems smaller and go a long way towards making the job of fixing a hardwood floor easier. Shop around before you buy a repair kit to get the most for your money and to guarantee you’re purchasing the items you’ll need and not ones you won’t.

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