How do you get dents out of wood floors?

What causes dents in wood floors?

There are a few common causes of dents in wood floors:

Furniture

Furniture that is frequently moved around or has small feet can create dents and scratches over time. The weight of furniture concentrates pressure on a small point, which can indent the wood fibers. Furniture in high moisture areas like bathrooms is also more likely to indent floors as the wood expands and contracts.

High heels

Spiked high heels or stiletto shoes can puncture wood floors, especially softer woods. The narrow heel concentrates the wearer’s weight on a pinpoint area with immense pressure. Even a 125 pound person in stiletto heels can exert over 2000 pounds per square inch!

Dropped objects

Anything dropped on a wood floor, like tools, appliances, or heavy canned goods, can potentially make dents. The impact forces the wood fibers to compress and deform. Larger and heavier objects will cause deeper dents.

Pet claws

Pets running across floors and scratching can damage wood over time. Claws concentrate the animal’s weight on 4 small points, easily indenting softer woods. Chewing and nibbling pets can also dent and gnaw floors.

Weather changes

As wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature, it can develop slight indentations or divots. This often occurs near heat vents, windows, doors or other areas with more extreme temperature and moisture fluctuations.

How can you fix dents in wood floors?

There are several methods to potentially remove dents from wood floors or minimize their appearance. The best approach depends on the flooring type and dent severity.

Steam

Steaming is one of the most effective ways to remove minor dents and dings in many types of finished and unfinished wood floors. The steam causes the wood fibers to swell and expand.

To steam a dent:

Fill a spray bottle with hot water. Test it on an inconspicuous spot first to ensure it doesn’t damage the floor finish.
Hold the steam spray nozzle above the indented area, about 6 inches away.
Apply steam until the wood expands and the dent raises up. This usually takes 15-30 seconds.

Allow the area to fully dry. The expanded wood should remain raised.
Sand and refinish the area if needed to blend it with the surrounding floor.

Steaming works well for minor dents under 1/4″ deep. Deeper marks may require multiple steaming treatments. It’s most effective on newer floors without thick finish layers built up.

Iron

A clothes iron on a steam setting can also help swell and smooth indented floors. Ensure the iron is clean to avoid getting residue on the floor. Work slowly and patiently to heat the dented fibers while avoiding scorching or burning the wood.

An iron is gentler than a steamer, so it may require many passes over deep dents to effectively lift them. Allow the floor time to dry between passes. This method works best for small dings and divots.

Steamer vs Iron for Dent Removal	Steamer	Iron
Application time	Faster	Slower
Water coverage	Broad	Concentrated
Dent depth treated	Deeper	Shallower
Risk of damage	Higher	Lower

DIY dent repair kits

There are some commercial dent repair kits available online or at hardware stores. These typically use specialty steamers or wood fillers to raise and fill dents. They may also contain putties, markers, or touch up materials to camouflage any remaining evidence of damage.

Follow the product instructions closely for these kits. Work in an inconspicuous test area first before treating visible areas of flooring. Most kits work better on thinner hardwoods like maple than thicker exotic species.

Humidifier

For minor dents over a large area, running a humidifier in the room can help swell and raise the wood fibers without intensive labor.

Aim for 40-50% relative humidity, monitoring with a hygrometer. This may require several days of humidifying the floor, absorbing water slowly. Avoid over-humidifying, which can damage wood. The dent may reappear once humidity drops, so this works best before a period of dry weather.

Rubbing oils

Gently massaging all-natural oils like tung or lemon oil into the dent can help nourish indented fibers, reducing the dent’s visible depth and severity over time. This helps blend the area to better match surrounding floors.

Apply a few drops of oil over the dent and massage using a clean cloth in a circular polishing motion. Take care not to saturate the floor. A little oil goes a long way. Allow at least 24 hours for the oil to fully soak in before applying any other floor treatments.

Wood fillers

For deeper gashes and holes, fillers like plastic wood, putty sticks, or epoxy may be necessary. Professional floor refinishers often use wax or shellac-based fillers for a more flexible, repairable patch. Carefully pack the filler into the void, let dry, then sand flush. Match the floor stain color as closely as possible.

Fillers can shrink over time and may not withstand traffic as well as solid wood. They require skill to blend invisibly. Consider refinishing afterwards or using fillers as a last resort for large, severely damaged areas.

Tips for avoiding wood floor dents

While some dents are inevitable, you can help minimize damage by taking a few precautions:

Add felt pads to all furniture legs to prevent scratches and dents.

Lift heavy furniture or appliances; do not roll or drag across floors.
Sweep frequently to remove gritty dirt and debris that can create dents underfoot.
Trim pets claws regularly to minimize scratching.

Wipe up spills quickly to avoid moisture damage.
Maintain indoor humidity between 30-50% year-round.
Rearrange area rugs occasionally to allow even exposure to sunlight.

Protecting against dents in high traffic areas is also smart. Consider using runners or area rugs in hallways and doorways. Install felt floor protectors under furniture legs in dent-prone spots.

For very deep marks that persist after home dent removal methods, professional refinishing may be needed. Consult an experienced hardwood flooring contractor for stubborn dents that require sanding or board replacement.

Can you prevent dents in wood floors?

While dents can’t be completely prevented, you can minimize their likelihood by:

Choosing harder wood species like hickory, maple, oak, ash, or exotic hardwoods. Softer pines and firs dent more easily.
Opting for an engineered wood floor over solid wood. Engineered has a plywood base that resists indenting.
Using thick wear layer finishes, like aluminum oxide urethane, that withstand impact.

Applying floor protectants to cushion impact from shoes, furniture, pets, etc.
Avoiding narrow pointy heels, spiked shoes, and excessively heavy furniture.
Placing walk-off mats at entrances to reduce grit, debris, moisture.

Maintaining indoor climate between 60-80°F and 30-50% humidity year-round.
Refinishing periodically to keep protective layers thick.

No floors are completely dent-proof, but choosing wear-resistant species and finishes goes a long way. Addressing dents promptly also minimizes further damage. With proper care, most modern wood floors provide long service with minimal dent issues.

How can I determine if my wood floor can be repaired?

Factors that indicate if a dented wood floor can be repaired include:

Dent depth – Minor dents less than 1/8″ deep have the best prognosis. Deep gashes over 1/4″ often require extensive work.
Dent width – Narrow dents have potential for swelling and filling. Large dents spanning several boards may require replacing boards.

Location – Highly visible areas like main traffic paths present greater repair challenges. Dents in corners or closets have more flexibility.
Floor age – Newer floors can often be steamed and re-finished. Older floors may already have thinning protective coats.
Wood type – Dense exotic woods resist denting but are tough to alter once damaged. Softer woods dent more easily but also repair more easily.

Finish condition – Intact finishes allow steaming swollen wood fibers back into shape. Heavily worn finishes may need complete refinishing.

Evaluating these factors helps set repair expectations. Very mild dents in favorable locations on newer hardwood floors often repair invisibly. Severe damage to previously repaired wood may exceed reasonable repair capabilities. Know when to call in a professional refinishing service for extensive dent repairs.

What are the consequences of leaving dents in wood floors?

Leaving dents and dings untreated in your wood floors can lead to a few problems down the road:

Unsightly appearance

Dents and depressions detract from the attractive visual appeal of wood floors, leaving them looking marked up and uncared for.

Textural differences

The compressed indented areas feel uneven and rough compared to surrounding boards. This can catch toes and affect comfort underfoot.

Risk of splintering

The damaged wood fibers are prone to separating and splintering, creating sharp edges and further floor damage. Kids and pets are especially prone to being injured by splinters.

Destabilized boards

In extreme cases, severe dents can fracture flooring boards or weaken joints leading to loose, squeaking, or cracking planks.

Lower home value

Significant unrepaired floor damage detracts from your home’s value by shortening the life span and worsening the appearance of wood flooring.

Increased denting

Existing dents concentrate foot traffic and impacts, resulting in accelerated wear and tear to damaged areas. More dents beget more dents.

Addressing dents through steaming, sanding, or filling prevents these consequences and extends the life of your wood flooring investment. Keeping floors dent-free maintains both aesthetics and property value.

Conclusion

Dents in wood floors are common but often repairable. Using steam, fillers, or oils, many shallow dents can be diminished Do-it-yourself dent repair may not be 100% perfect, but can vastly improve the look of superficial marks. For best results addressing deeper gouges, utilize the services of an experienced hardwood flooring contractor. Steaming and minor repairs should be attempted as soon as dents occur to prevent worsening. With some patience and care, most minor wood floor dents can be remedied.