7 Signs You Need to Replace the Hardwood Flooring in Your Home

1. The Wood Is Soft or Spongy

Hardwood floors should be hard. If you notice spots that seem soft, spongy, or springy, it’s time to replace the floor.

Refinishing likely won’t help in this case. Soft spots are usually a sign that the wood underneath the finish is decaying. If the floorboards are thick, you might think you can “buff out” the rot and the floor will be fine.



Most of the time, the problem is deeper than that. In some cases, the subfloor might be damaged. It’s best to replace it.

2. The Hardwood Flooring Moves

There’s some natural movement to a hardwood floor, since wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity. In the summer months, the floor may initially expand. In the colder winter months, the wood will often contract, since homes are drier.

That could make gaps between floorboards more apparent. It isn’t usually a cause for concern.

What is a concern is if you notice these gaps getting larger. Shifting and movement is also a problem, sometimes related to gaps.



Again, this indicates something has compromised the integrity of the floor. It’s not something a simple refinish will fix, so your best bet is to replace hardwood floors when this happens.

3. The Floor Has Water Damage

Water damage is one of the biggest risks of owning hardwood floors. You definitely don’t want to take a mop and bucket to the floor when it’s time to wash it.

Most hardwood floor owners already know that, though. Water damage often comes from leaks, floods, or even just high moisture.

Water damage can show up in a few ways. Sometimes, it’s visible on the surface. The wood may appear gray or otherwise discolored.

If left too long, water damage can actually cause your floors to turn black. In other cases, you’ll see the wood warps or cups from water damage.

If there’s moisture damage, it may result in the soft or spongy spots discussed earlier. This is particularly common if there’s moisture in the subfloor.



Refinishing the floor usually isn’t enough to fully fix water damage. It can’t fully fix warped floorboards, for example. In this case, it’s a good idea to consider replacing hardwood floors entirely.

4. Large Scratches and Marks

Some scratches and marks may not be cause for concern. After all, floors withstand a lot, especially in high-traffic areas. You may notice your finish wearing or surface-level scuffs.

Those can usually be solved with refinishing. More concerning are larger, deeper scratches. These may go beyond finish and cut down to the wood itself.



Marks may also go beyond the finish and actually damage the wood itself. If that’s the case, then it’s time for hardwood floor replacement.

5. You Can See Nails Poking Through

As your floor ages, it will wear. That can lead to the occasional exposed nail. They’re especially common in high-traffic areas, like the kitchen or living room.

Nails may not be a cause for concern if there’s only a couple of them. They can be a nuisance, as they can snag socks or cause pain if someone steps wrong or stubs a toe.



If you’re finding exposed nails across larger parts of the floor, though, it’s time to consider replacement. Refinishing will simply serve to grind the wood down more, making it more likely you’ll see more nails.

6. You’ve Already Tried Refinishing the Floor

How many times have you refinished your floors? If the answer is “never,” then a refinish may fix some of the more cosmetic types of damage you’ll see.

If you’ve already refinished the floors a few times, then it might be time to consider full-on replacement. Why?

Floorboards are only so thick. Refinishing them involves sanding them down, then putting a new coat of finish on them. Every time you refinish the floor, your floorboards get thinner.

Eventually, they’ll be too thin. That will compromise the structural integrity of the floor and can lead to cracking.

Of course, refinishing may not address underlying problems either. If you’ve refinished the floor once, but notice the same issue or have water damage, then replacement is likely a better choice.



If you bought the house from someone else and never replaced the hardwood, then it might be best to go with replacement. You may not know how thick the floorboards are or how many times they’ve been refinished. Plus, if the floor’s been down for a while, it might be time for an updated look.

7. You’re Not Sure When They Were Installed

This is more common in older houses, especially those that you’ve bought from a previous owner. You may not have any information on when the floor was actually laid down.

As noted, that can make refinishing a bit of a gamble. You may not know how thick the floorboards are or if they’ve ever been refinished. Your best bet is to simply replace the floor.

In an older house, it’s likely the floors have had time to wear, warp, and sustain damage. There may be substantial damage to a subfloor. As a result, replacement is usually the best bet.



You may even have forgotten exactly how long you’ve had your floors down. If that’s the case, then it’s time to replace them.

Get Hardwood Help from the Experts

Hardwood flooring is some of the most durable material out there. That said, there are still plenty of signs you may need to replace your floors.

New hardwood floors can update the look of your home and improve its appeal. Best of all, they may not be as expensive as you think they are.

If it’s time to update your look or replace your floors, get in touch with the experts at Eagle Flooring West. They can help you find flooring you’ll love for years to come.