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 Mount Prospect & nearby Des Plaines, Arlington Heights
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Mount Prospect, IL
Worn, stained and water-marked hardwood in Mount Prospect kitchens sanded, repaired board by board and refinished.
- Crews working in Mount Prospect ZIP 60056, 60005
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Hardwood floor problems we repair in Mount Prospect
We repair and refinish wood floors in Mount Prospect kitchens, from a light screen-and-recoat on a dull finish to a full sanding with new stain. Damaged boards are woven out and replaced so the repair follows the grain instead of making a patch.
Deep scratches and dents
Dropped knives and dragged chairs leave marks of different depths. We tell you which ones a refinish will remove.
Matching the kitchen to the next room
When the kitchen flows into the dining room or hall, we refinish across the opening or blend the stain so the floors read as one.
White water marks in the finish
Cloudy white rings and spots usually sit in the finish rather than the wood. A light abrade and recoat, or sanding in that area, often clears them.
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
Dark pet spots are tested first; boards that stay stained after sanding are replaced. A harder finish helps with future scratches.
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.
Squeaky or loose boards
Noisy boards are usually not tight to the subfloor. We secure them before sanding.
What the work covers
- Floor assessmentWe check the species, board width, finish type and how much wear layer remains for sanding.
- Moving appliances and protecting the roomAppliances moved, cabinet faces masked and plastic hung at the openings.
- Board repair and replacementDamaged boards are cut out and new ones woven in, staggered to match the floor's pattern.
- SandingWe sand to clean wood, finishing edges and corners by hand where machines can't reach.
- Finish coatsSeveral coats of waterborne or oil-modified polyurethane, lightly abraded between coats.
- Trim and thresholdsShoe molding, toe-kick trim and thresholds are reset or replaced after the finish cures.
- Appliances back and care adviceWe set everything back and explain cure times and safe cleaners.
Finishes we offer
Replacement boardsSame species, grade and width — commonly red or white oak strip — from new stock or salvage.
Oil-modified polyurethaneThe traditional finish that deepens the wood color and takes longer to dry.
Hardwax oil finishesPenetrating oil finishes that are easy to touch up in high-wear spots.
Waterborne polyurethaneClear, low-odor and quick to dry; it keeps light woods light and lets you use the kitchen sooner.
Engineered hardwoodA wood wear layer over plywood; how often it can be sanded depends on that layer's thickness.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing before and after — Mount Prospect homes
Before
AfterA Mount Prospect 1960s ranch: before and after
This one is a 1960s ranch in Mount Prospect. The reason for the call: gray traffic paths and water marks by the sink. After: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. Work included board repair and replacement, finish coats, plus appliances back and care advice.
Before
AfterHardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in a postwar Cape Cod, Des Plaines
This one is a postwar Cape Cod in Des Plaines. The reason for the call: dark water stains in front of the dishwasher. After: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. On site this meant sanding, trim and thresholds, plus appliances back and care advice.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Mount Prospect
What changed: cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers with matte black pulls, bright white quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Mount Prospect
The same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterA Mount Prospect 1950s ranch: before and after
Finished: new five-piece shaker doors in soft white on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and satin brass pulls.
Cabinet Refacing in Mount Prospect →How the job goes
- Look at the floorAn on-site check of wear, stains and how much wood is left to sand.
- Plan the workWe agree on color, finish and the rooms included before work starts.
- Repair and sandDamaged boards replaced, then the floor sanded and stained; a kitchen refinish often takes a few days.
- Finish and cureCoats applied, appliances returned once the finish allows and care tips left.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing questions from Mount Prospect homeowners
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.
Can water-damaged hardwood be repaired?
It depends on how far the water went. Finish-level marks refinish out; wood-level stains and rot mean new boards.
What is the difference between refinishing and a screen-and-recoat?
Buff and coat is maintenance for a dull floor. Sand and refinish is for wear into the wood or a color change.
What affects the cost of refinishing a kitchen floor?
The floor area, how many boards need replacing, stain versus natural, the finish and whether adjoining rooms are included. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
Can you match new boards to an old floor?
New wood is woven in and finished with the rest. A full sand and stain makes it blend best.
Do I need a Mount Prospect-registered contractor for hardwood floor repair and refinishing?
A Contractor's License is required for general contractors (and listed trades); $200, valid one year, applied for through the online portal. We take care of that before work starts.
Can you do hardwood floor repair and refinishing in a Mount Prospect condo?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a permit for hardwood floor repair and refinishing in Mount Prospect?
It depends on the scope. Mount Prospect's rule in short: Kitchen remodels need a permit and a code review (about 10 business days). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services.
Do you work in my part of Mount Prospect?
Yes. Our crews work across Mount Prospect — ZIP 60056, 60005 — and nearby Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Mount Prospect
- A lot of Mount Prospect kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60056ZIP 60005
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing nearby
Other kitchen services in Mount Prospect
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.