Whether new or older, varnished hardwood flooring is a popular choice in terms of appearance and durability. Indeed, people choose to varnish their hardwood floors for various reasons, starting with the appearance and maintenance of the floor. We refer to varnished hardwood when describing this particular type of finish for hardwood floors, a gel or varnish that is now more effective than ever. Varnishing consists of leaving an invisible layer of varnish on the surface of the wooden floor, with a choice of glossy, satin, or matte finish. Beyond these finishes, it’s the fact that this invisible layer protects the hardwood floor that appeals so much to homeowners. Indeed, thanks to its varnishing process, the varnished hardwood floor helps prevent scratches and stains from penetrating the wood. However, what should you do when there’s a scratch on a varnished hardwood floor?
First, it’s important to note that the ideal solution to fill a scratch will depend on its severity. Thus, the treatment will not be the same whether it’s a light scratch or deep damage over a larger surface.
Small scratches
To repair small or shallow scratches caused by scrapes or furniture movement, the good news is that there are many products on the market that can be easily used by oneself. For a fine scratch, you can easily first use a varnish sold in stores and designed to renovate varnished hardwood floors. Applied directly to the scratch with a brush, this varnish reproduces the effect of the varnish imperceptibly and is very practical to keep on hand for quick application.
Medium scratches
When the scratch is deeper, there’s another recommended technique for repairing small and medium scratches on varnished hardwood floors: wood filler. A simple mixture of sawdust and glue, wood filler is used to fill deep scratches that require more than just a layer of varnish. Whether you make it yourself or buy it ready-to-use in resin form, apply the filler in a thick layer in the scratch until it reaches the level of the floor. On top, apply a layer of wax which, once dry, is covered again with a varnish. Good as new!
Large uniform scratches
For a floor scratched across its entire surface, such as old varnished hardwood floors damaged by time and foot traffic, the entire floor needs to be renovated. Here, start by sanding the floor to restore the wood. Then, use a varnish to protect and even out the surface.
Precautions
Since varnished hardwood flooring is covered with a protective layer of varnish, the difficulty in its maintenance lies in the importance of protecting this top layer. Indeed, to avoid damaging the varnish layer, it is crucial to be very careful not to use products that are too abrasive or to rub stains and scratches too hard. Gentle circular movements are recommended to reduce imperfections before resorting to other products.
In conclusion, if one or more scratches appear on a varnished hardwood floor, there are several ways to repair it. Depending on the defect(s), simple measures can be taken before having to redo the entire floor. In all cases, it is always recommended to call a professional to avoid worsening the situation and ensure the best possible result.
