Symptoms
- Scratch or gouge reaches bare, unfinished wood
- Rough or splintered edges around the damage
- Wood color looks lighter or raw at the bottom of the mark
- Larger than a typical surface scratch
Likely causes
- CommonDropped heavy or sharp objectA dropped tool, appliance corner, or heavy item can gouge through the finish and into the wood.
- CommonFurniture dragged without pads on a hard floorMetal or unprotected furniture feet can dig in under weight.
- PossiblePet claws digging in repeatedly at one spotConcentrated scratching in one area, like by a door, can deepen over time.
- PossibleMoving large appliances or furniture across the floorHeavy dragged items can leave deep, wide gouges.
What to do
- Vacuum and clean the area thoroughly so you can see the true extent of the gouge.
- For a shallow gouge, sand lightly with fine sandpaper along the wood grain to smooth any splinters.
- Fill the gouge with a color-matched wood filler, slightly overfilling since it will settle a bit as it dries.
- Sand the dried filler flush with the surrounding floor, working up to a fine grit.
- Apply a matching stain if needed, then seal with a topcoat that matches your floor's finish (oil-based, water-based polyurethane, etc.).
- Blend the edges of the new finish into the surrounding area as much as possible using a fine brush or foam applicator.
- For a very deep or wide gouge, or one on a prominent, visible area, consider having a flooring pro do the repair for a more seamless blend.
Tools and parts
- Fine sandpaper
- Putty knife
- Foam brush
Wood floor filler and matching stainSearch: “hardwood floor gouge repair filler stain kit”
When to call a pro
Call a flooring professional for repairs in a highly visible area or if you want a seamless color and sheen match.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.