Timeless, elegant, classic – wooden floors are a staple in many Auckland homes, adding immense warmth and value. These floors are valued for their durability and appearance, making them one of the most popular choices for high-quality homes across the city.
That said, even the most durable wooden floors can fall victim to time. Wear and tear, humidity damage, and even pets can create significant issues down the line. Not only can this compromise how the floors look, but these factors can have a negative impact on structural integrity, too.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to get your wooden floors seen to, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’re exploring all the signs that you need wooden floor repairs in Auckland.
How Does Auckland’s Climate Affect Wooden Floors?
Anyone who lives in Auckland knows that we get our fair share of subtropical weather. Rainfall, warm temperatures, and ongoing humidity can all contribute to ageing your wooden floors prematurely.Some of the most common wooden floor repairs Auckland property owners need to invest in are related to humidity.
Water can get into the boards, causing individual boards to swell, thus putting pressure on the rest of the boards on your floor. Over time, this causes buckling, discolouration, and what we in the business call ‘cupping’. This is when the joins remain in the same spot while the centre of the floor dips, creating a ‘cup’ effect.
As specialists in wooden floor restoration and repairs, it’s heartening to see many property owners going the extra mile to extend the life of their classic wooden floors. If this sounds like something you want to do, the first thing you need to do is identify whether your floor needs repairs or just needs a quick buff to restore its shine.
Signs You Need Wooden Floor Repairs Auckland-Wide
Visible Cracks and Splits
Wooden floors are fairly susceptible to cracks and splits. When the temperature or humidity of the surrounding environment changes, the wood will naturally expand or contract, causing cracks and splits over time. This is a major risk to all wooden floors in Auckland’s ever-changing climate.
Keep an eye out for small cracks appearing on the surface of your floors. Over time, these small cracks will deepen or widen, so it’s important to have them seen to quickly. The larger these cracks get, the more likely it is that they’ll let even more water in.
Creaking or Squeaking Sounds
For older wooden floors, some creaking or squeaking as you walk is perfectly natural. It’s just a sign that the floors are ageing. However,, excessive noise when you walk can be a sign that something bigger is going on beneath the surface.
Too much creaking, especially in only one area of your home, can be a sign that some of your floorboards are loose, that there are gaps between the boards, or there are issues with the subfloor.
Water Damage
Water is a major player when it comes to wooden floor repairs in Auckland. Anything from flood damage, excessive condensation to a broken pipe or plumbing leak can create issues if not addressed promptly.
It pays to be vigilant when it comes to signs of water damage, as they can fly under the radar for a long time before being spotted, and by then, it’s often too late. Signs of water damage include discolouration, warping, cupping, dark spots, or even a musty smell.
Gaps Between Floorboards
Having gaps between your floorboards is perfectly natural and not something to be worried about. But if those gaps are widening or have developed as a result of another issue in the house, then it’s time to get your floors looked at.
During Auckland’s wet winter months, check for widening gaps between your floorboards. These form with expansions and contractions, so the on-again/off-again style of rainstorms we see in Aotearoa can be enough to create this issue.
Worn or Dull Finish
Finally, keep an eye on your floor’s finish. This isn’t just for the aesthetic value of your floors, either. The finish on your floor – such as the varnish or other protective coating – is responsible for protecting the wood from wear and damage. Over time, this can erode, especially in areas where people walk often.
Keep an eye out for patches of dullness where the protection has worn away. These patches can lead to other issues, letting water, mould, or rot past that protective barrier.
The simplest solution here is to recoat or polish your floor, although the extent of the damage should be assessed by a qualified restorer to help extend the floor’s lifespan for as long as possible.
Extend the life of your floors with high-quality wooden floor repairs Auckland-wide.
Looking for high-quality wooden floor repairs Auckland-wide? The team at Floorsanding NZ is proud to have decades of experience with all aspects of wooden floor repair, including structural fixes, repolishing, and more.Get in touch with us today for a free consultation on what your wooden floors need to shine!