How To

How to repair wood floors

Life leaves marks—but your Kährs floor can handle them. Our simple repair guide shows you how to fix scratches and dents with the right products, fast. Restore beauty in just a few easy steps.

The Basic Repair Process

1
Assess the damage
First work out whether the scratch sits only in the finish or has cut into the wood itself. Marks in the finish can be handled with a touch-up product; anything reaching bare wood needs filling before refinishing.
2
Clean the area
Clean the repair area thoroughly and let it dry completely. Leftover dust or moisture stops touch-up products keying properly and shows as a patch once dry.
3
Fill and level
For deep dents or cracks, use Kährs Hard Wax or Wood Filler in the closest shade to your floor. Fill fully, level along the direction of the grain, and allow the drying time the manufacturer specifies.
4
Refinish the surface
Reapply the oil or lacquer matching your floor type, working lightly and feathering out into the surrounding area so the repair blends in rather than leaving a visible patch.

Worth Knowing

A few points that keep a repair from making things worse:

Test somewhere hidden: Always try a touch-up product in an inconspicuous corner to check the colour before working on a visible area.
Match the product to the finish: Products made for oiled floors and lacquered floors are not interchangeable.
Feather the edges: Don't stop exactly at the edge of the repair - blend outwards so no hard outline is left behind.
Call a professional for serious damage: If a board is cracked through or has cupped from water, replacing it or calling a professional beats trying to patch it.