Scratched hardwood floor

Symptoms

• Visible scratch lines in the finish
• Scratches catch light differently than surrounding wood
• Pet claws or furniture legs are common culprits
• Deeper scratches show lighter, unfinished wood

Likely causes

• CommonFurniture dragged across the floor without protective padsChair and table legs are one of the most common causes of scratches.
• CommonPet clawsDogs and cats running or scratching at the floor wear through the finish over time.
• CommonGrit and dirt tracked in and ground underfootSmall particles act like sandpaper under shoes and furniture.
• PossibleHigh heels or hard-soled shoesConcentrated point pressure can dent or scratch softer finishes.

What to do

1. Clean the scratched area thoroughly with a wood floor cleaner to see the true depth of the damage.
2. For light surface scratches that only affect the finish (not bare wood), use a matching wood floor touch-up marker or wax stick.
3. Buff the touch-up product in with a soft cloth, following the wood grain direction.
4. For a slightly deeper scratch reaching bare wood, clean it, apply a matching wood filler, let it dry, then sand lightly and finish with a matching stain and topcoat.
5. For multiple scratches across a wider area, consider a screen-and-recoat, which lightly abrades the existing finish and applies a fresh topcoat without full sanding.
6. Add felt pads to furniture legs and trim pet nails regularly to prevent new scratches.
7. Use rugs or runners in high-traffic areas and an entry mat to reduce grit tracked onto the floor.

Tools and parts

• Soft cloths
• Fine sandpaper (if deep)
• Vacuum

When to call a pro

Call a flooring refinisher if scratches are widespread across the whole floor or reach deep into the wood in many spots, since a full refinish may be more efficient than spot repairs.

Safety