Hardwood Floor Repairs in Napa, CA

How to Deal With Warping, Cupping and Sagging Hardwood Floors

After months or years of enjoying your hardwood flooring, you may notice that your flooring is not as perfectly flat as it was on the day it was installed. Some of the floorboards may have started to warp, buckle, or sag due to moisture, humidity, and temperature modifications on the wood.

If moisture is present, wood will swell when it gets wet and then contracts when it dries out. This does not generally happen to correctly finished flooring since the boards are safeguarded to moisture from below and on top. Especially so, if a vapor barrier has been installed on the subfloor. If the vapor barrier is inadequate, or the top surface is excessively worn down, the boards can soak up wetness. As a result, when the wetness evaporates, the floorboards might warp, cup, or crown. Regrettably, they can also warp even if they do not get wet. Exceedingly dry conditions, high temperatures, and direct sunlight can shrink the wood and produce gaps in between the boards.

If you’re dealing with any of those conditions, the first thing to do is find the water source. Was there a spill that never ever got cleaned up? Could extreme water from mopping have leaked into the sub-flooring? Can you find a pool of standing water nearby, flooding in the basement, or under the home? Investigate if there is a leakage somewhere. All of these can trigger warping as moisture is absorbed by the planks. Warping causes much more damage to a floor than cupping does. It can manifest in various forms of plank disfigurement and needs to be taken seriously.

Cupping, also referred to as wash-boarding, is a lesser form of floorboard damage. What does cupping look like? Just imagine a normal wooden floor slab. If the edges along the entire length of the slab align but the middle sinks down, that’s cupping. This is triggered by a wetness imbalance, specifically when there is more moisture on the bottom of the wood pieces than on the top. For instance, if the air in the room is quite dry as it can become during the winter season and/or there is wetness trapped under the floor (from a spill or even residual condensation), your flooring will be at danger of cupping.

Cupped flooring looks bad however the bright side is that it’s generally reversible and can be remedied by restoring a correct level of humidity inside the room. This will help balance out the moisture above and below the flooring. The time it takes to correct a sagging flooring depends on what’s causing the sag. If the foundation is the culprit, jacking it up and leveling it can take weeks. If your hardwood floor covering wasn’t set up properly, it can take just a day to pull it up and put it pull back properly.
The treatment for repairing deformed, cupped, or sagging wood flooring needs is dictated by the size of the problem.

How To Repair A Warped Floor in Napa

While repairing smaller sized warps simply requires a couple of useful techniques, the larger ones may take a lot more time and effort to conquer or even require the service of a professional wood floor refinishing professional.

You can repair a little warp problem quite quickly. As long as the wood is still flexible, it can be repaired by dampening the area somewhat, then placing a heavy object like a barbell or a cinderblock on top. Then leave the weight for several days and let gravity do its job. You can check after a few days to see if that did the trick. More severely distorted boards may be flattened utilizing a heavier object. Another alternative is to nail the edge down, countersinking the nail heads, and filling the holes with color matching wood filler or a color stick.

Another way to fix a warped floor is to sand it. This works best for topical warps that originate from humidity or a water spill rather than a leak below your flooring. Sand down the bump in your floorboard until it is level with the rest of the floor. Keep in mind that this will require an aggressive amount of sanding in most circumstances. That implies that about a quarter of the thickness of wood could be given up in this procedure, which is something to think about.

To correctly align flooring boards that have curled at the edges or bulged in the middle, you need an aggressive sanding strategy. Most refinishers will fit a drum sander with 20-grit paper and sand the flooring diagonally. They then sand parallel to the grain to get rid of the scratches. This procedure can get rid of as much as 1/16 inch of wood from the raised areas of the boards. Subsequent sanding with progressively finer grits of sandpaper prepares the floor for a refinish. In the end, aligning a badly warped floor might cost as much as 1/4 inch of its thickness.

If your floor does not return to normal after these approaches, or the afflicted location is larger than a cinderblock, then you’re dealing with a major warping which most likely will need removal and replacement of the afflicted planks. Thankfully, this does not imply you have to change your whole floor. Regrettably, hardwood typically dries with a very noticeable black stain. Often the stain is simply on the surface, however, it might go all the way through the board in which case the stained board will require to be changed. Repairing this issue may include ripping out your whole flooring and replacing it.

In case of very large warps needing major intervention, you need to consider the help of a refinishing contractor near you. This type of warps may originate from substantial water damage, excessive age, or years of disregard calling for wood plank replacements. The challenge will be to find wood slabs that closely match what you have and staining them to match the existing color. That takes resources and practice. An expert wood refinishing expert will have the resources and capability to make the new wood slabs blend in as best as possible. For these reasons, it is advisable to fix flooring slabs when the whole flooring needs to be sanded and refinished. Otherwise, utilizing a belt and orbital sanders, you’ll need to level and after that end up the brand-new slab so it blends into the existing floor covering– a tough job. If you’re having problems sourcing floorboards that match yours or you don’t want to spend the money to do so, a helpful trick is to “steal” slabs from an unseen area within your house. Take planks from a closet or under your fridge. These will act as the best match to change the warped planks. You can then replace the stolen planks with the best match you can find.

One should point out that you can not repair every wood flooring by refinishing it. If your wood floor has large areas of damage, you may need to change the whole floor as plank replacements can draw attention to the area. On really old floors, you might see the tongue where the boards come together, or your boards might do not have the appropriate thickness. Floors like these are definite candidates for replacement.

If your floorboards have become harmed enough to require replacement, you might wish to consider working with a hardwood floor professional installer. The individual you require to work with to repair your warping floor depends on the source of the issue. If you’re not exactly sure of the cause, it’s an excellent idea to work with a structural engineer to diagnose the problem– ideally, one who will not have any part in repairing the floors (because that can be a dispute of interest). Rates to get rid of and replace hardwood can run from $2 to $3.50 a square foot for setup, plus the cost for materials. Beware of professionals who quote less than a dollar because their work is typically less than outstanding.
These estimates are rough standards and dependent upon your area and are NOT substitutes for a written quote from a trade professional. It is strongly recommended that you contact trusted professionals near you for precise evaluations of the work needed and an estimate for the job – before making any decisions or commitments.

Repair or Replace?

That is always the question. There are a number of factors that determine the decision to repair vs. replace.

Cost: It is generally cheaper to refinish your flooring than to replace it. However, if there is significant damage to several locations of the floor, repair expenses might start to measure up to the cost of having brand new flooring installed.

Inconvenience: Repairing and refinishing a floor takes a great deal of time. You’ll need to get rid of all of the furnishings from the room and dust protect light fixtures and what not and give up the use of the room for up to 2 weeks. The wood requires to be sanded bare. If you need to make a structural or cosmetic repair, you need to do so before staining and finishing. When all of this is going on, you will lose access to the space, be subjected to dust, noise, and smells. This alone might be factor enough for some homeowners to prefer having the old flooring ripped out to put in something fresh and brand-new.

The age of your floor: Aged wood has a beauty of its own but it may resist refinishing for a number of reasons. For instance, if it already has been refinished a number of times. For older floorings, a replacement can frequently be more suitable to refinishing unless an aged floor is preferable to the setting like it would be in a historic home.

In Closing

Each situation is different, and in the end, the decision to repair and refinish or change hardwood is up to you, the property owner. Using the recommendations above, the hope is that you will be confident in your option, no matter what path you take.  If we can assist you in any way just give us a call at (707) 864-2199 or click here to visit our website.

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Get the Hardwood Floors You Always Wanted

Thinking about changing your flooring to hardwood? Choosing the right hardwood flooring for your home may be harder than you think, given all the options available. 

Changing your floors also changes the character of your home. It’s as simple as that. It is therefore important to pick the floor that will harmonize with the existing interior. Not all wood floors are equally appealing or appropriate for every space. 

The wood flooring industry has evolved considerably in recent years, as wider planks have increased in popularity and finish and installation options have expanded. Given all the choices now available, here are some tips on how to navigate the various decisions you’ll have to make. First, you will need to decide on: 

Solid vs Engineered Wood 

Solid wood is just what it sounds like: a plank of your chosen wood, cut from a log. An engineered wood floor is composed of a thinner layer of your chosen wood on top of a manufactured base of layered plywood. 

Pros and Cons: 

Engineered wood has many benefits. It’s built to be more dimensionally stable therefore, it will expand and contract less, reducing the chance that the boards will warp or shrink over time. 

Engineered flooring is especially useful in basements, in high humidity areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, and over radiant heating systems. 

Engineered flooring can be glued directly to the slab, whereas solid wood floors require a plywood subfloor so it can be nailed in place. 

The cons are that solid wood floors last for centuries and can be stripped and refinished many times over while engineered hardwood floors will need to be replaced in the event of damage. 

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Choose the Wood Species and Color 

Browsing through flooring samples to choose a type of wood and a color for your new floor is probably the most enjoyable part of the process. At this stage, much depends on personal preference and your overall vision for your home. 

One of the most trending floorings now is white oak, which is widely available, durable and can take stain very well. That means it allows for customization and blending into your existing interior designs. 

Hickory – This wood has a lot of color variation, from light tones to dark tones and is considered a hardy wood. 

Walnut – is a good choice for those that want a rich, darker brown. 

Maple or Birch – are the go-to choices for those that prefer blonder woods. 

And there are more of course, but these are the most popular ones.

Where stain is concerned, the current trend is toward subtle colors that leave the wood with a natural look. 

If you find selecting the type of wood and color for your home challenging, consider the other wood elements in the room. For example, if you have walnut cabinetry, a walnut floor is an easy match; if you have oak doors, oak floors are a natural choice. 

Consider Wood Grain and Character 

How the wood logs are sawed into boards has a big effect on the grain pattern that’s visible on the floor. 

Flat-sawn (or plain-sawn) boards, the grain has a wavy appearance. The defining feature is this arching ‘cathedral’, which is the industry name for the pattern. 

In contrast, quarter-sawn boards offer a more linear appearance, with faint striping which some people call tiger stripes. 

Rift-sawn boards feature the cleanest, straightest grain, whereas live-sawn boards may include all types of grain patterns. 

What is interesting to point out is that a floor can be compiled using one cut exclusively or can incorporate various types of cuts. A popular option these days is a mix of a quarter and rift-sawn boards producing flooring with understated grain patterns. For a warm, woodsy appearance, using only flat-sawn boards might be the best option. 

Additionally, to the way the wood is cut, you can also choose how many knots and other distinguishing marks you want to see. People commonly refer this to “character”. The options here are “clear” (no knots), “light character” (a few smaller knots), as well as “character-grade” (the most, and largest, knots). 

Another very popular choice we now see is reclaimed wood. Many flooring companies offer wood salvaged from barns, factories, and other structures, which can have even more character — with nail holes, cracks, and saw-blade marks. Funnily enough wood with lots of character has become so popular that flooring manufacturers have started to offer distressed wood floorings simulating reclaimed wood. 

Prefinished or Site-Finished? 

Another major decision is whether to buy prefinished flooring or unfinished flooring. Prefinished flooring was stained and top coast applied in the factory whereas site-finished means that the planks will need to be stained and finished by an installer after it’s put down. 

There are pros and cons associated with either option: 

The main advantage of prefinished flooring is that it can be installed very quickly, and you will know upfront what the finished product will look like. 

When floors are finished on site, the home has to be vacated to allow for sanding, staining, and finishing, including drying time. This is messy work and you may not be able to step on the floor for days on time. On the positive side, on-site finishing allows for total customization. 

A key difference, however, is that prefinished boards usually have beveled edges to allow for slight irregularities, which creates more pronounced lines between the boards after installation. Because unfinished flooring is sanded flat after it is installed, the finished floor typically looks more like a solid plane, without gaps. 

Plank Widths and Installation Pattern 

Wider planks seem to be all the rage now. But how do you decide which board width and installation pattern are best for you? Consider the proportions of your space and the style you want: As a rule, bigger rooms tend to look better with wider boards, and a herringbone or chevron pattern adds a touch of tradition. 

On a side-note, more complicated installation patterns require additional labor for installation, thus increasing the cost of labor. They also result in more wasted wood from the multitude of cuts. 

Choose the Finish 

Most hardwood floors today have a finishing coat of clear polyurethane which protects the wood from moisture, wear, and staining for years. Water-based polyurethanes have grown in popularity in recent years, and the finishing sheen can range from matte to glossy. 

An alternative is an oil-based finish. The oil penetrates the wood, making it look richer. The added benefit to oil is that it allows for relatively easy spot repairs because it doesn’t leave a film on top of the wood. 

As you can see, there are many things to be taken into consideration to get the floor you always wanted. That is why we offer an exclusive design service from our Napa and Vallejo showrooms. Just give us a call to arrange for a visit.  Cheers!

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Tips For Hardwood Floors Refinishing

The floor of a residence is what sustains the structure, adds a protective barrier from the ground, and adds aesthetic values to the interior. Hardwood flooring can last for centuries. But much like any other type of flooring hardwood can be prone to problems, as time proceeds. Apart from its beauty, the most important value proposition of hardwood flooring is that it can be refinished many times over and made to look almost like new again. This procedure includes eliminating used slabs and exchange them with brand-new ones if they are beyond repair. Such jobs can recover a floor to its former magnificence and add to its lifetime value, in addition to structural solidity.

When to Consider a Refinishing

Scrapes: The first and also most evident indication of a harmed flooring are scrapes. This usually is triggered by heavy foot traffic, pets, dragging heavy items across the floor, along with some various other perilous tasks.

Water Damage:  Wood does not like a lot of moisture. Moisture will cause the wood to expand, buckle, and eventually rot if exposure continues over a long period of time. 

Discoloration: This kind of damage can be caused by UV rays. The beam from the sunlight can affect the wood’s natural shade; thus, creating it to transform black or look unhealthy. 

What Steps are Necessary for a Successful Refinish?

Preparation is the very first and most essential step when it comes to refinishing. Every solid timber flooring is covered by a protectant, most often by polyurethane. If the imperfections are of minimal nature and only on the surface level, one can simply eliminate the old coating, do some sanding to remove the scrapes, and then reapply the new top coating.  If the damages are of more serious nature a more detailed repair and a refinish are in order.

What are the Tools Required for the Job?

Typically what is needed are a drum sander, a belt sander, a detail sander, an assortment of sandpaper, a hammer, and a pry bar, wood stain and finishing material. In addition, one will also need a dust mask, safety goggles, and ear protection, especially when using the drum sander. 

Required for Expert Assistance

Employing a wood flooring refinishing specialist in Napa is beneficial on numerous levels. They will expertly manage all the preparations required for repair work as well as refinishing. Wood floor professionals have the know-how to buff out scratches and also dents, replace pieces that are irreparable, and find coordinating wood items or tarnish the pieces to match the existing floor. Professionals likewise have the best tools available for this process. They will certainly have everything from a respirator, barriers, and sanders. This will eliminate the need of having to purchase all of those tools needed for the job. Established contractors have a team of experienced workers and also are licensed, bonded and insured to protect the homeowner in the event of a mishap. 

Think about the Best

West Coast Floor Company is a 2-nd generation family-owned, leading refinishing service firm. We concentrate on supplying superior quality and also exemplary workmanship in every job.

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