Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 01-27-2007, 03:00 PM   #1
Pro
 
AHS's Avatar
 
Trade: roofing & Painting
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 110

Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


I took off the carpet in my house so I could refinish the hardwood floors underneath. I have a few decent size spots that are stained from spills . I don't think I will be able to sand the stains out becuase they look like they go pretty deep into the wood. Just curious if there is a way to bleach out the stains or use something to minimize the appearance. Also would putting a wood stain on it help.


Thanks

AHS is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 10-27-2008, 07:14 AM   #2
Pro
 
dokuhaku's Avatar
 
Trade: floorcovering
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 124

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Though I cant help you, I am suprised that not a single response was posted. What gives?
dokuhaku is offline  
Old 10-27-2008, 10:05 AM   #3
Doer of Many Things!!!
 
gideond's Avatar
 
Trade: Paint and Floor Covering Retailer
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Staunton, VA
Posts: 700

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Stain may help. There are also products called Wood Bleach that will lift the stain out of the wood. The main problem with this is that they lift the natural color out as well and give you more of a white look to the wood.
__________________
http://www.morrispaint.com
gideond is offline  
Old 10-27-2008, 12:12 PM   #4
Knowledge Factory
 
Floordude's Avatar
 
Trade: Certified Floorcovering Failure Investigator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,358

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


We really frown on the DIY crowd, posting DIY questions here.
__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com
Floordude is offline  
Old 10-27-2008, 12:58 PM   #5
LRG WoodCrafting
 
Leo G's Avatar
 
Trade: Master Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Posts: 13,211

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Since he has 98 posts and has been a member for a while as a roofer. What makes him a DIY, besides he is doing flooring and he is a roofer. Still a contractor, and is asking advice from a contracting forum.
__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro View Post
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut
Leo G is offline  
Old 10-27-2008, 01:03 PM   #6
Pro
 
send_it_all's Avatar
 
Trade: general contractor/ remodeling
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Orange County, Ca.
Posts: 1,989
Send a message via Yahoo to send_it_all

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Not to mention that the original post is almost 2 years old.
send_it_all is offline  
Old 10-27-2008, 01:11 PM   #7
LRG WoodCrafting
 
Leo G's Avatar
 
Trade: Master Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Posts: 13,211

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Ya that too. I don't think Floordude would have wanted the job anyway, hell of a commute from Texas to Minneapolis. LOL
__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro View Post
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut
Leo G is offline  
Old 10-27-2008, 10:21 PM   #8
Knowledge Factory
 
Floordude's Avatar
 
Trade: Certified Floorcovering Failure Investigator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,358

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo G View Post
Ya that too. I don't think Floordude would have wanted the job anyway, hell of a commute from Texas to Minneapolis. LOL

You'd be surprised!!!! Although they pay the freight on my tools, buy any tools I forgot(they get to keep) and buy my plane ticket, along with a rental truck and a room with cable TV.

I have been flown to Colorado 2 times, Florida 2 times, Missouri once, Georgia once, and Michigan once. All in the last 7 years. They paid all expenses and paid my contract in full.

I like working local, so much better though. I know where all the supply houses are and I know this neck of the woods like the back of my hand.
__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com
Floordude is offline  
Old 10-27-2008, 10:35 PM   #9
LRG WoodCrafting
 
Leo G's Avatar
 
Trade: Master Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Posts: 13,211

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


I had a guy move from my town to another state a 1000 miles away. He wanted me to pack my stuff and do a complete trim job on his house. It was just to much of a hassle tool wise. Plus the time away from my family. I don't think I would want to deal with the hassles. More power to ya.
__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro View Post
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut
Leo G is offline  
Old 10-28-2008, 09:32 AM   #10
egotistical prick
 
Cdat's Avatar
 
Trade: Wood Inlay
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Swartz Creek, Michigan
Posts: 2,633

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Floordude View Post
... I have been flown to Colorado 2 times, Florida 2 times, Missouri once, Georgia once, and Michigan once.
Now ain't that weird? I was paid last summer to fly down to Texas to do some work there. Go figure?
Cdat is offline  
Old 10-29-2008, 11:45 PM   #11
Pro
 
jamestrd's Avatar
 
Trade: wood flooring
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 497

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


you can not bleach a stain, it doens nothing except remove color pigment form the wood.. the stain is still there and will make a white spot if you leave it.. you need to sand the bleached spot and once you do, there is your stain..

You need proper tools and the floor needs to be snaded aggressively.. it needs to be "X"ed out.. cut at ooposite 45 degree angles, feathering back as not to remove too much from one loctaiton, then the floor can be straitened out.. Very few stains dont come out from sanding and they always look worse then they are( although some are)...
most wont put the work into the sanding which doenst take much..
Cant tell you how many times I have seen floors done with stains left in them,where contractor tells owner, they dont come out, replace it.. or do nothing...

lazy asses
jamestrd is offline  
Old 10-30-2008, 06:24 PM   #12
Knowledge Factory
 
Floordude's Avatar
 
Trade: Certified Floorcovering Failure Investigator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,358

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdat View Post
Now ain't that weird? I was paid last summer to fly down to Texas to do some work there. Go figure?

No, not weird at all. Your reputation, and knowing the right people that understood the extra cost to get you there, goes a long way.

I have driven to more local states, Oklahoma, Louisiana and just into Mississippi.

When you their guy, and they make you feel like a KING, it is hard to say NO! (plus they said I could hunt their property while there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com

Last edited by Floordude; 10-30-2008 at 06:27 PM.
Floordude is offline  
Old 10-30-2008, 07:16 PM   #13
Handle It!
 
MALCO.New.York's Avatar
 
Trade: Everything The Union Guys Do Not Want To Do
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY ~ Haverford, PA
Posts: 9,369

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


A mild Hydrogen Peroxide Solution may be of help. SPOT TEST FIRST!!!!
__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE
MALCO.New.York is offline  
Old 03-06-2009, 02:42 AM   #14
Registered User
 
John S.'s Avatar
 
Trade: Wood floor installation / sanding
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Westchester County, NY
Posts: 2

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


THAT peroxide solution can leave white/light spots, that do not sand out. even if you criss-cross and straighten. i sanded a floor 3 times because the HO didn't believe that her solution left the floor with the light coloration. my advise is that you stay away from that peroxide solution
John S. is offline  
Old 03-06-2009, 09:22 AM   #15
Handle It!
 
MALCO.New.York's Avatar
 
Trade: Everything The Union Guys Do Not Want To Do
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY ~ Haverford, PA
Posts: 9,369

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by John S. View Post
THAT peroxide solution can leave white/light spots, that do not sand out. even if you criss-cross and straighten. i sanded a floor 3 times because the HO didn't believe that her solution left the floor with the light coloration. my advise is that you stay away from that peroxide solution

That is why one "Spot Tests"!
__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE
MALCO.New.York is offline  
Old 03-06-2009, 03:41 PM   #16
Registered User
 
John S.'s Avatar
 
Trade: Wood floor installation / sanding
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Westchester County, NY
Posts: 2

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


hey malco, i have friends on that side of the county, i am in mamaroneck. are you in brooklyn or PA?
John S. is offline  
Old 03-06-2009, 04:34 PM   #17
Grand Rapids Remodeling
 
Paulie's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Grand Rapids, MI.
Posts: 2,340

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


What are the stains exactly?

My experience has been they will sand out if their coke, coffee, etc.

If they are pet stains (urine) forget it. Go to the carpet store. I've sanded the T&G to the nails (no kidding) and the stain was just as bad. There is some sort of oil in dog urine.
Paulie is offline  
Old 03-06-2009, 06:30 PM   #18
Handle It!
 
MALCO.New.York's Avatar
 
Trade: Everything The Union Guys Do Not Want To Do
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY ~ Haverford, PA
Posts: 9,369

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by john s. View Post
hey malco, i have friends on that side of the county, i am in mamaroneck. Are you in brooklyn or pa?

bk.....
__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE
MALCO.New.York is offline  
Old 03-08-2009, 01:51 PM   #19
New Guy
 
woodfloorpro's Avatar
 
Trade: Hardwood Floors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 21

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Stains in wood flooring are always a guessing game prior to refinishing. Mostly you don't know if they will sand out or not but if they are minor then you can count on them a least looking better and if the goal isn't perfection then they usually match the character of the floor. During sanding put a little urethane or water on the spots to see what they are going to end up looking like. If they are major or if the desired goal is to eliminate them then board replacement works the best. It is easy to cut out and replace boards if you can be sure new flooring will match old flooring which sometimes is not the case. Some species of flooring like white oak will not be a perfect match as comparing very old to very new and relative for shorter time spans. I have found bleaching spots to be risky (finish compatibility) and only partially effective. The problem with bleaching is that after applying both components you end up with a raised grain and when you try to sand the raised grain you end up sanding through the bleaching and end up back where you started. The compatability issues are huge if you don't know what you are doing. For the most part board replacement is the way to go and will generally match existing flooring better then other alternatives. Mike
woodfloorpro is offline  
Old 03-09-2009, 06:08 AM   #20
Registered User
 
kaitlin's Avatar
 
Trade: yes
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Posts: 10

Re: Discoloration On Hardwood Floors. Need Help!!


Since you know you will eventually need to replace the sections I'd recommend doing it now. Other fixes will be costly and still may show. The floor would need to be sanded, treated with Natures Miracle or some other enzyme treatment, allowed to dry, bleached and then restained abd sealed. Thats a lot of work for a temporary fix.
__________________
Builders Streatham
kaitlin is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Installing solid hardwood floors over particleboard dsmoser Flooring 35 07-13-2011 12:01 PM
Hardwood over hardwood? dkillianjr Flooring 9 09-21-2006 09:07 AM
45 degree frame in hardwood floors dianna Flooring 2 07-10-2006 10:01 PM
Hardwood floors gtdail Flooring 8 06-15-2006 09:44 AM
Hardwood Floors over Radiant Heat bigtick Flooring 10 12-08-2005 03:43 PM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?