How to Troubleshoot Hardwood Installation

Sweep the wood with a broom or dust mop to remove any dust or loose dirt that accumulated on the floor over time.

Mop the floor with a damp mop to further clean the floorboards and dry them with a towel. This prevents the moisture from seeping into the boards and allows you to better assess and repair any damage to the floor.

Rub a white buffing pad over any mild scratches to the floor to remove them. If the pad isn't working, fill the scratches in with a wax repair pencil that is similar in color to the wood.

Observe the floorboards over an annual period if gaps are a concern between the boards. Wood changes size in response to temperature changes. Humidity contributes to expansion and contraction as well. Small gaps are likely to form during the winter and they'll correct themselves in the summer. Installing a humidifier in the room helps keep the wood more constant so the expansion and contraction isn't as noticeable.

Fill small gaps that don't disappear between the boards with wood putty. If the gap is larger than 1/16th of an inch, replace the board with a new one to eliminate the gap.

Heat any warped boards to dry out the moisture that caused the shape change. This takes time and the heater should be on or near the board for up to three months. A professional woodworker or floor specialist can do this faster. Once the moisture is gone, the wood should flatten.

Coat the floor with a new finish or paint the floor to hide floor dulling or discoloration. This helps make the floor look like new again. Do not use wax on the floor if the wood is a "top-coated, no-wax" board because it damages the wood. Wax is possible on other wood floor types.