Wood hidden under old vinyl or tile
Uncovering hardwood under old vinyl starts with a test of the tile and glue. Once it's cleared or abated, we can assess and refinish the wood.
Serving Addison & nearby Wood Dale, Itasca
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Addison, IL
Worn, stained and water-marked hardwood in Addison kitchens sanded, repaired board by board and refinished.
- Crews working in Addison ZIP 60101
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Hardwood floor problems we repair in Addison
A solid hardwood floor can usually be sanded and refinished more than once, which makes repair far less disruptive than replacement. Our Addison crew matches the species and width of your boards, fixes water-damaged areas and finishes the kitchen to blend with the rooms next to it.
Black or dark water stains
Black stains mean water reached the wood and reacted with its natural tannins. Shallow ones may sand out; deep stains usually call for replacing those boards.
Dull finish that is otherwise intact
When only the sheen is gone, a recoat brings it back. Waiting too long means a full sand later.
White water marks in the finish
If the mark is white or milky, moisture is trapped in the coating. That is good news: the wood below is often fine.
Cupped or crowned boards
Wavy boards near the sink or a leaky dishwasher need the water source fixed. Many settle back partly once dry; the rest are sanded flat or replaced.
Pet stains and scratches
Pet urine can darken wood much like water does, and deep stains usually need new boards. Claw scratches mostly sand out.
Deep scratches and dents
Light surface scratches come out with a screen and recoat. Scratches and dents into the wood need a full sanding, and deep gouges may mean a new board.
Gaps between boards
Gaps that open each winter and close each summer are normal seasonal movement. Wide permanent gaps can be filled with wood strips or, in some cases, filler.
What the work covers
- Floor assessmentA close look at the wood, the stains and the existing finish to decide between recoat, refinish and repair.
- Moisture checkWe measure the wood and subfloor moisture before sanding near any past leak.
- SandingWe sand to clean wood, finishing edges and corners by hand where machines can't reach.
- Stain and color samplesWe put test patches down on the floor for you to compare.
- Finish coatsMultiple finish coats built up with buffing between them for a smooth surface.
- Trim and thresholdsEdge trim reinstalled and transitions to the next room finished.
- Appliances back and care adviceWe set everything back and explain cure times and safe cleaners.
Options to choose from
Waterborne polyurethaneA clear finish that doesn't yellow much over time and dries fast between coats.
Replacement boardsSame species, grade and width — commonly red or white oak strip — from new stock or salvage.
Engineered hardwoodA wood wear layer over plywood; how often it can be sanded depends on that layer's thickness.
Hardwax oil finishesPenetrating oil finishes that are easy to touch up in high-wear spots.
Wood stainColors from light natural to deep brown, tested on the sanded floor.
Kitchens like yours in Addison: before and after
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Addison
The site: a postwar Cape Cod in Addison. What bothered the owners most: a worn finish that no longer protected the wood. After: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. The job covered floor assessment, finish coats, plus trim and thresholds.
Before
AfterA Wood Dale postwar bi-level: before and after
The site: a postwar bi-level in Wood Dale. The main complaint was dark water stains in front of the dishwasher. Finished kitchen: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. On site this meant moisture check, stain and color samples, plus finish coats.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Wood Dale →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Itasca
This one is a 1980s two-story near The Ranchettes. The reason for the call: gray traffic paths and water marks by the sink. Finished kitchen: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. On site this meant sanding, stain and color samples, plus trim and thresholds.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Itasca →
Before
AfterAddison kitchen, postwar Cape Cod: kitchen remodeling
Finished: cabinets in dark teal with brushed nickel bar pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Addison →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Addison
What changed: the same doors sprayed in deep navy, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Addison →Day by day
- Look at the floorWe visit, test moisture where needed and tell you whether to recoat, refinish or replace boards.
- Plan the workPick a finish and stain, decide where the work stops and schedule time out of the kitchen.
- Repair and sandBoard repairs first, then sanding to fresh wood and staining.
- Finish and cureFinish coats go on with dry time between them; light use comes first, full use after the cure.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing questions from Addison homeowners
What is the difference between refinishing and a screen-and-recoat?
Refinishing sands down to bare wood and removes deep scratches and color. A screen-and-recoat only abrades the top finish and adds a new coat.
How many times can hardwood be refinished?
Solid floors take multiple sandings over their life. Thin engineered floors get recoated instead.
Will a warped wood floor go back to normal?
Mild cupping often relaxes once the moisture source is fixed and the floor dries. Severe cupping or buckling may need sanding or board replacement.
Is dustless sanding really dust-free?
No sanding is completely dust-free, but systems that vacuum at the sander capture most of it. We also seal off the kitchen with plastic.
How long until I can use the kitchen?
Socks first, then shoes, then appliances. Rugs go back last, after the finish has cured.
Do I need a Addison-registered contractor for hardwood floor repair and refinishing?
Addison does not require contractor registration, but trade licenses and a Letter of Intent must be submitted with each permit application. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for hardwood floor repair and refinishing in Addison?
It depends on the scope. Addison's rule in short: Addison's Building Division states building permits are required by code for all work; most applications are reviewed within 10 business days through the online portal. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department (Building & Zoning).
Do you work in my part of Addison?
Yes. Our crews work across Addison — ZIP 60101 — and nearby Wood Dale, Itasca, Villa Park.
Working in Addison
- A lot of Addison kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Addison homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department (Building & Zoning) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60101
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing nearby
Other kitchen services in Addison
Kitchen Subfloor RepairSoft spots, rot and squeaks fixed at the structure under the floor.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.