Restoration of floors: Is it necessary to change them completely, or can it be done in parts?
Many times a total floor replacement is not necessary. You may be surprised to learn that many types of flooring can be repaired and made to look new. You can literally bring your floors back to life. Make them look like new, for a fraction of the cost of totally replacing them.
Hardwood: The best candidate for restoration rather than replacement is hardwood flooring. Over years of use, hardwood can become scratched and damaged. Sometimes older homes have had wooden floors covered with rugs. Returning them to their former glory takes a lot of work, but the cost will be less than the full replacement. It is better to hire a professional to restore and repair the wood than to try doing this project yourself. The results will be worth it.
Tile: Tile can wear and show wear over time, like most other floors. But there’s no reason to replace everything when you can relatively inexpensively restore and repair tile floors. Ideally, replace the broken grout before any of the tiles are damaged. This is actually something you can do yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it. If the problem is that your floor is uneven, and that is what is causing the damage, you may need to hire a professional to break up the existing tile and replace it after leveling it.
Vinyl: Many homes have vinyl flooring due to the low cost and strength of these floors. Most are laid in a single continuous piece, although some come in tile and glue. Depending on the type you have used, it will determine how a repair is completed. If you used tiles, you can take the damaged tiles and replace them with tiles in good condition. If you used the sheet mosaic, you can patch it, but there will be visible seams. the seams, in themselves, are not bad. Just plan how you want it to look while you make the repairs. The most common problem is that the vinyl comes loose at the edges and curls, but the solution is easy: just glue it back on.
Squeaky floor: Sometimes the repair has nothing to do with what type of floor you have, but instead you want to fix a squeaky floor. If you have a squeaky floor, consider hiring a contractor with experience in repairing subfloors and nailing floor joists. It doesn’t matter if you have carpet or another type of flooring, the squeaky floor needs to be repaired to avoid a growing problem.
Regardless of the type of flooring you have, repair and restoration may be an option for you. Be very careful when handling certain home repairs on your own in houses that were built before 1980, due to the possibility of asbestos. If you are unsure, have a professional test your floors before you begin.
For more information on floor resurfacing contact us. At Surface Designers, we are delighted to assist you.
