Help! I have scratches in my floors. Do I need to refinish them?

One option is to use a wood putty or filler to fill in the scratches.

Wood putty is a paste-like material that can be used to fill in small scratches or dents in wood. It is available in different colors, so you can choose a putty that matches the color of your floors. After applying the putty, you can sand it smooth and finish it with a coat of wood finish to match the surrounding floor.

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Another option is to use a wood stain or touch-up kit to conceal the scratches. Many manufacturers offer touch-up kits that include a range of wood stains and finishes that can be used to match the color of your floors. These kits can be used to fill in and cover up scratches, and they can help to restore the appearance of your floors without the need for a full refinish. Superficial scratches can be touched up with a product called Almond Stick, readily available at most hardware stores and online.

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If the scratches are more severe or if you have multiple scratches, you still can repair them without refinishing. Hopefully you have attic stock of your floors and can have an installer replace the damaged boards instead of refinishing all the hardwood.

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Overall, whether or not you need to refinish your hardwood floors depends on the severity and type of scratches you have. If the scratches are minor or if you have only a few scratches, you may be able to repair or conceal them without refinishing the entire floor. Furthermore, if the scratches are more severe or if you have multiple scratches, you could replace the planks using your stored materials and not go through the painstaking process of refinishing all your flooring.

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