Clean or Refinish Hardwood Floor?

Tips from Real-Estate-Agents.com

Q: Going with the new trend, we removed all the wall-to-wall carpeting in our home, built in the late fifties-we've lived here 25 years and ignored the hardwood flooring that we knew existed under the carpeting. The hardwood flooring is in decent shape. Some boards will have to be replaced due to stains and water damage, particularly at the end of the hallway next to a bathroom where a toilet overflowed.

My question is about the living room where there are dark areas around some parts of the floor perimeter as if at one time someone had an almost wall-to-wall rug. Someone suggested that those dark areas are wax build-up. One product that I bought, Bruce Clean and Strip, had no effect in changing the color. Can you tell me what might be the cause of that darkening of the wood finish and if there is a remedy, short of refinishing?

A: The color change around the perimeter could be caused from many different things. The floor has been exposed to the occupants' lifestyles for the period it was uncovered. Cooking, fireplaces, smoking, sunlight, and household chemicals all can be contributing factors to the discoloration-not to mention wood's inherent characteristic to "patina" (change color with age).

Try using a very fine steel wool dipped in the Bruce cleaner you have, work it in with the grain and see if it lightens up. However, for best results, I would recommend a complete sanding and refinishing to restore the floor's beauty and to help blend the appearance of the original flooring with the new replaced pieces. I'm sure once it's complete, you will consider it a worthwhile investment in your home. Keep in mind that some of the discoloration will not come out due to the porous nature of the wood. This also reflects the charm of the wood and the history of the past occupants of the home.

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John Fuchs, Senior Carpet Inspector Carpet Warehouse Rancho Cordova, CA

-- Tips courtesy of Service Magic