OT - For those who have had wood floors installed/refinished

15 years ago

Good morning, everyone!

Quick question: I'm in the process of having hardwood floors put in/redone. The worker, who i'm both impressed and frustrated by (he's an excellent worker, but a bit of a bull in a china shop), put about a 12 inch, long, fine scratch in the original flooring (which is to remain). I asked him about it, hoping he'd say he'd buff it out, but he basically said it wouldn't be noticeable once the top coat was put on.

Well, it's noticeable.

I realize a lot of heavy equipment comes in and out, and it's easy for something to fall and be dragged along a bit. And mostly, i'm very very pleased with this project. But that new scratch is needling me (especially given what i paid).

What would you guys do in this situation? Is it something i should just dismiss and live with, not allowing it to snatch my joy?

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Comments (6)

n2bach1
15 years ago
We had a similar situation with installation of hardwoods in the dining room.....the top coat was not applied very well in certain areas, looking a little streakish and even though an area rug would have covered it, I INSISTED they correct it. Seems to me that with a scratch, they would have to re-sand that area and re-stain it. Good luck, sometimes it's not easy being tough!! I know that from experience.
estreya
Original Author
15 years ago
~ nod ~

I really admire people who can assert themselves clearly and fluidly, without any emotional junk attached. For me to say, "This needs to be corrected," automatically FEELS like a confrontational encounter and i don't handle it at all well. It's perhaps one of my greatest flaws.

Care to take bets on whether or not i make an issue out of that scratch?

:)
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User
15 years ago
it will forever bug you if you let it go. i had problems with the carpet install at my house. they came back to fix the carpet problems and somehow managed to put a slice in my vinyl in the foyer. the area is right beside the carpet strip they were working on. it's about an inch long. razor blade. i left it go because i was just soo frustrated and wanted my house done.
i just slapped some epoxy on it the other night and until we replace the flooring it will forever bug the crap out of me.
good job or not..they messed up. have them fix it.
flyingflower
15 years ago
I would buy a scratch stick and fill it in myself. Because wood fillers stay forever tacky dirt will quickly collect over it. So I would take a paint brush and dip it into polyurethane and cover over it carefully. My floor is 50+ years old with nails holding it in place instead of the tongue & groove. Often the wood putty pops off a nail head and I just recover it again with new putty.
I think this guy was lazy and didn't tell you the truth about the scratch but he should have filled it in with a stick or putty before he polyurethaned over it.
judyindisguise
15 years ago
I would say exactly what you said to us. That this is bothering you. It will probably fade or blend over time and YOU will end up scratching your floor too and kicking yourself for it every time, but it does happen, will happen and that's the life of a wood floor. I had some problems with our refinisher and he actually refunded some of my money, he wasn't argumentative or anything he agreed with me and we couldn't be out of our house any longer. I hope your guy is able to fix it for you.
no_green_thumb
15 years ago
I had the same problem after having floors refinished - except I was the one who made the scratch - right through the middle of the foyer while I was painting.
The guy had left a bit of the poly and told me how to fix it, but I asked him to come back and was willing to pay. He was doing a job for a friend (I recommended him), and came back without charge. He fixed it and now I cannot even tell where it was. It would have bugged me forever had I not had it fixed properly.

OT - For those who have had wood floors installed/refinished

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n2bach1

estreya
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OT - For those who have had wood floors installed/refinished

Comments (6)

n2bach1

estreyaOriginal Author

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estreya
Original Author