Do you have bamboo flooring that is in need of repair?
Bamboo flooring is a beautiful and durable flooring option, but like all flooring materials, it can be subject to damage. Over time, bamboo floors can become scratched, chipped, or even stained. And, while bamboo is a naturally water-resistant material, excessive moisture can cause the boards to warp or cup.
Fortunately, repairing bamboo flooring is a relatively easy process. In most cases, you can repair minor scratches with a simple touch-up pen or markers. However, you may need to replace damaged boards entirely for more extensive damage, such as deep scratches or large chunks missing from the boards.
In this article, we will look at some of the most common bamboo flooring problems and provide steps to fix them. We will also provide tips on preventing future damage to your bamboo floors.
Types Of Bamboo Flooring
Get acquainted with the various kinds of bamboo flooring on the market before choosing the one that will work best in your house.
⓵ Solid – Horizontal
Horizontal bamboo is one of the most popular types of bamboo flooring that is produced by drying out huge strips of the material, slicing these big chunks into smaller, thin strips, and then gluing these thin strips together to form planks.
The boards are heated and compressed to guarantee a tight fit. Due to bamboo’s inherently pale hue, the strips are often dyed and, in some cases, carbonized to darken their appearance. While carbonized bamboo will probably be less hard than regular bamboo plank, if a darker color is required, it will assist achieve that.
It is typical to notice the remnants of the bamboo nodes in horizontal bamboo flooring. The appearance of this kind of bamboo floor will probably be the most similar to how bamboo appears in its natural condition.
⓶ Solid Bamboo – Vertical
The strips that are used to create vertical bamboo flooring are cut from the poles of the bamboo plants, as opposed to being cut from the flat sides of the plant like horizontal bamboo. After being cut, these strips are glued together under pressure and heat to form planks.
Vertical bamboo is a bit more difficult to produce than horizontal bamboo, which makes it more expensive.
The primary benefit of vertical bamboo flooring is that it has a more refined appearance than horizontal bamboo. The nodes are not as visible in vertical bamboo, and the planks have a more consistent coloration.
However, because the strips are cut from the poles of the bamboo plants, vertical bamboo is not as strong or durable as horizontal bamboo.
⓷ Strand Woven
Strand woven bamboo is made by shredding the material into small pieces, soaking them in adhesive, and then compressing them together under heat and pressure. The result is a very dense and hard product that is less likely to show wear and tear over time. Strand woven bamboo is also more resistant to moisture than other types of bamboo flooring.
Typically, the bamboo strips left over after producing horizontal and vertical bamboo are used to create strand-woven bamboo. The eco-conscious buyer may find this feature appealing because it ensures that the entire bamboo stalk is used and generates very little waste.
⓸ Engineered Bamboo Floors
In order to make engineered bamboo flooring, a bamboo veneer is bonded to a plywood or fiberboard subfloor. Thanks to this procedure, the top layer can have a bamboo-like feel, while the underlying or fundamental layer gains some additional resilience.
The end result is an engineered hardwood floor that’s much simpler to keep and slightly more durable than a bamboo hardwood floor.
Common Bamboo Flooring Problems
Before we get into the specifics of how to repair bamboo flooring, let’s look at some of the most common problems.
Fading And Color Changes
A major problem with bamboo flooring is that its color can fade or change as time passes. That depends on the flooring material and the direct sunlight it receives. Natural bamboo flooring, which is lighter in color, will eventually become darker.
Due to the strong heat and pressure used to darken the bamboo, the carbonized variety will gradually fade or lighten over time. Sometimes the color of a bamboo floor will change to a yellowish brown.
Scratches And Dents
One of the hardest materials available on the market is strand-woven bamboo, which is produced from compressed fibers subjected to tremendous heat and pressure. The strand-woven construction of bamboo is far more long-lasting than oak.
Carbonized bamboo, on the other hand, is a much softer wood than regular bamboo because it is made. The denting, scratching, and cracking of bamboo are directly proportional to the bamboo’s degree of hardness. However, regardless of the type of bamboo material, it can become damaged.
Bamboo with a lighter coloration will fare better than bamboo that has been carbonized, and any damage that does occur will be more difficult to spot. These concerns can be caused by various factors, including nails from pets, shoes with high heels or other pointed heels, furniture with insufficient padding underneath, or furniture dragging over the floor. The microscopic scratches caused by dirt and dust particles can also diminish a floor’s appearance over time.
When preventing this kind of damage from occurring to bamboo flooring, the most effective form of defense is an aggressive offense. Keep your pets’ nails clipped, lay felt pads underneath your furniture, and be sure to pick up and set down your furniture with care when you move it. In order to prevent dirt and debris from tracking into your home, place doormats at each entrance and require guests and family members to take their shoes off before entering.
Water Damage
In comparison to other forms of wood flooring, bamboo flooring is more resilient to water damage. However, it is not entirely waterproof. Bamboo flooring can warp, cup, or buckle when it becomes saturated with water. Water can also cause the color of bamboo flooring to change.
In addition, bamboo is a type of grass; it is also more likely than other woods to shrink and swell in response to changes in humidity or moisture levels. This can cause the boards to buckle and warp, making them difficult or dangerous to walk on.
As a result, it is important to take steps to prevent water damage if you have bamboo flooring in your home. Some simple measures include placing mats at entryways to absorb excess moisture, cleaning up spills immediately, and avoiding using harsh chemicals or steam cleaners.
If you follow these guidelines, your bamboo flooring should retain its luster for many years to come.
How To Repair Bamboo Flooring Problems
Different problems require different solutions. If you have bamboo flooring, you can fix it using these methods:
Minor Scratches
Any hardwood or bamboo floor surface can develop smaller surface scratches. Both standard hardwood flooring and bamboo wood flooring typically have protective topcoats that include anti-scratch layers. These durable finishes are often scratch-resistant, yet they may temporarily display micro scratches until the friction from walking dulls or removes them entirely.
To repair smaller surface scratches on your bamboo floor:
- First, pick up any loose dirt or trash on the floor and sweep or vacuum it.
- Rub a dab of repair wax or furniture polish into the scratch in the same direction as the bamboo grain using a clean, soft cloth. In the absence of either of these items, a walnut will do.
- Simply rub the walnut flesh over the scratch until it disappears.
- Once the scratch has been filled in, buff the area with a clean, soft cloth to remove any excess wax or polish. Repeat the steps if the scratch is still noticeable.
Deep Scratches
Deep scratches that penetrate the finish and reach the bamboo itself are more difficult to repair, but it is still possible to minimize their appearance.
- Before doing anything else, remove any loose dirt and debris from the bamboo wood floor by dusting or vacuuming.
- Next, use a putty knife or other sharp object to fill the scratch with wood putty that matches the color of your bamboo flooring.
- After the putty dries, sand it flats with the floor.
- When you’re done, give the area a fresh coat of paint. This will help protect the repaired area from future damage and make it blend in better with the rest of the floor.
Buckling or Warping
Buckling and warping are common problems with bamboo floors, but you can usually repair them without too much difficulty. If the damage is minor, you may be able to sand down the affected area and then refinish it simply.
On the other hand, if the buckling is particularly bad, you might have to swap out the harmed planks.
- To do this, start by removing the baseboards and then prying up the damaged boards.
- You can replace them with new planks once the old ones are gone.
- Finally, sand and refinish the floor to match the rest of the room.
Repairing your bamboo flooring and returning it to its former glory should only require a little time and work.
Final Words
Bamboo flooring is a beautiful and durable option for your home, but it is not indestructible. Keeping your floors clean and dry is the greatest way to keep them looking great for as long as possible. Don’t lose hope if your bamboo floors develop flaws. A little repair will restore their beauty.