What You Should Know About Charleston Flooring Repairs

You use your flooring every day. From listening to the pitter-patter of little feet running to the breakfast table to creeping downstairs for a midnight snack, those surfaces get a lot of use. And like anything in your Charleston home, it's normal for floors to wear down over time. Scuff marks, dents and stains are just a few of the problems you might encounter. When you notice a problem, it's important to hire Charleston flooring repair services right away.

While a small scratch or chip may not seem like a big deal, these types of minor issues could become big problems quite quickly. Not to mention, they make your home look unkempt and take away from it's otherwise lovely aesthetic. Damaged flooring could lead to bigger cracks and dents, moisture damage and more. Not to mention, certain materials—like tile—are very sharp when broken. This could cause injury, as it only takes one little paw or foot to step on a cracked tile and get cut. The good news is, you can easily take care of those problems with professional Charleston flooring repair.

The pros at Mr. Handyman of Charleston and Summerville have the skills, expertise and work ethic you need to both repair and replace your flooring. Our trusted Charleston handyman professionals provide a range of repair services, and will ensure your floors look as good as they did when you first moved in.

Common Flooring Repairs in Charleston, SC

It's unlikely that your floors are in perfect condition. Even if you just moved into a new-build, it doesn't take long before moving furniture around causes a scuff, your pet leaves scratches all over the place, or a heavy object is dropped and causes damage. No type of flooring is impervious to damage. However, different types of flooring do have different pros and cons for Charleston homes. We've outlined common Charleston flooring repairs to watch for, depending on what materials are in your home:

Hardwood Flooring Repairs

One of the most popular styles, especially in many of Charleston's colonial homes, hardwood that's well cared for with routine repairs could last more than 100 years. It also creates an elegant and traditional appearance that is truly timeless. This material is very durable and easy to clean. However, hardwood does scratch quite easily. This means it's not an ideal material if you have pets, as claws running up and down hardwood will scratch it. However, hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times over the years. While this is a big project, it will disguise any wear on your floors and help them look good-as-new. Other repairs our team of service professionals will help with includes:

Revitalizing worn areas. As time goes on, the areas of your home that get a lot of foot traffic will start to wear down. You'll notice the difference especially when you move furniture, and can see how well-preserved areas that have not received a lot of foot traffic are. The good news is, by refinishing your floors even the worn areas will look brand-new.
Scratches: Hardwood that has been scratched does not look nice, and could be distracting for homeowners who take pride in their homes. The team at Mr. Handyman will expertly refinish your hardwood surfaces and stain any areas that have been scratched.
Gouges: Deeper than a light scratch, if your floors are gouged then sanding and staining them might not be quite enough to remedy the problem. The good news is that one of our trusted technicians can fill the gouged areas with wood putty and cover the damaged area carefully with stain. If your floors are seriously damaged, then replacing the gouged areas may be a better option than trying to complete repairs.
Sun-bleaches patches.Similarly to worn areas, parts of hardwood floors in Charleston that are often exposed to sunlight will bleach as time goes on. You may not notice the problem right away, until you move furniture or a rug and notice the difference between areas that have not been exposed to sunlight. Sanding and staining is a great way to fix this problem.
Buckling boards. While hardwood that is properly cared for can last a century, unfortunately this material does not hold up well to water damage. It will buckle when flooded or exposed to significant moisture over time. The best fix for buckling boards is to replace them entirely.

Vinyl Flooring Repairs

Invented in the 1930s, one of the greatest benefits of vinyl is that it's available in almost any color or style. During the 1950s, it quickly became one of the most popular materials used in kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, many people in Charleston still think of their grandparent's house when envisioning vinyl. However, the material has come a long way since the 1950s. These days, vinyl can look nearly indiscernible from wood or tile. Made out of plastic, vinyl is inexpensive, low-maintenance and durable. However, its primary drawback is that it’s difficult to repair when damage does occur. Other issues that our flooring contractors help with include:

Discoloration. Depending on how old the vinyl in your home is, it may discolor when exposed to the sunlight. While modern vinyl tends to hold up well because it includes a UV protectant coating, older materials may not have this additive. It's not possible to replace sections of vinyl because of how it's adhered to your subfloor. Subsequently, if you want to get rid of fading the entire area will need to be replaced.
Stains. The best way to avoid stains is to clean your floors regularly and wipe away any liquids before they have a chance to cause damage. Since vinyl is plastic, it's unlikely that most materials will stain it. But that does not mean it's impossible—especially if the stain is left to set.
Gouges. Vinyl is highly resistant to most types of damage, including light scratches. Most scuffs can be buffed out. However, if serious damage like gouging occurs, the fix is not so simple. As mentioned above, the way vinyl is adhered to your subfloor makes it difficult to replace small sections. Vinyl is glued down, so usually any gouged areas need to be replaced entirely.
Peeling, cracking and crumbling along edges. If your home has older vinyl, then it might start to peel at the edges and crack. Charleston flooring repairs won't be able to solve this problem. Rather, you'll need to replace the damaged areas. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to material like luxury vinyl tile or luxury vinyl plank.

Laminate Flooring Repairs

This material is made out of four synthetic materials that are fused together during the lamination process. A photo applique is placed on-top to make it emulate the look of hardwood or tile. Laminate is highly durable and scratch resistant. This makes it a great material for Charleston homeowners looking for something low maintenance that will wear well over the years. When it comes to laminate, the biggest type of damage to watch for is moisture damage, which may lead to buckling. Other problems that our hardworking Charleston handyman team can help with include:

Lifting boards. There are a few things that can cause laminate boards to lift in South Carolina. However, it usually comes down to improper installation or moisture beneath the floorboards. If laminate is not installed correctly, as it expands and contracts while exposed to fluctuating temperatures, it may lift as the boards compete for room. Moisture can also cause boards to lift. Sometimes lifting boards can be repaired by being hammered back into place, but often the solution requires replacing the affected areas entirely.
Bubbling and buckling. A sure sign of moisture damage, bubbling and buckling is not an easy fix. It could be caused by moisture beneath the boards, but often is the result of a flood or spilled liquid that was not cleaned up quickly enough. Buckling boards will need to be replaced.
Stains. Liquids are the nemesis of laminate. While buckling is a problem, staining can be an issue as well. While it is possible to replace only a section of laminate flooring, the best practice to prevent stains, and avoid the need for repairs, is to begin by promptly cleaning up spills and messes.
Faded colors. Sunlight may fade some kinds of laminate. Unlike hardwood, these areas can’t be stained back to their original color. Rather, any faded areas will need to be replaced.

Tile Flooring Repairs

An increasingly popular material, there are many types of tile for Charleston homeowners to choose from. This includes clay-fired materials like ceramic and porcelain, as well as quarried tile like slate and limestone. Yet, as durable as most types of tile are, they can still get damaged occasionally. Replacing a broken tile is fairly straightforward, but it does require specialized tools and technical knowledge. Common issues with tile include:

Worn/outdated grout. Replacing old grout is a fantastic way to make your old tile floors and backsplashes look brand-new. As time goes on, stains, dirt and mildew can creep into grout lines. By replacing just the grout, you avoid the hassle of replacing the tile and can boost your home's appearance.
Cracks and dents. As soon as you notice a cracked or dented tile, it needs to be replaced right away. Issues like cracks and chips may not seem like a huge deal, but they will get worse overtime. Also, although tiles are water-resistant, they lose this quality when damaged. Thus, moisture may seep into your subfloor and cause damage like mold and wood rot.
Uneven tiles. Usually a sign of improper installation, there is no quick repair for this problem. The only way to fix uneven tiling is to replace the uneven area. Tile installation is a highly technical skill, so it's always best to leave it to the professionals—such as the expert team at Mr. Handyman of Charleston and Summerville.

Mr. Handyman’s Charleston Flooring Repair Services

Our qualified technicians possess years of experience in the trades. Whether you need help with laminate floor repair or wood floor installations, you can count on our pro team. We provide a range of high-quality repair services for homeowners throughout the Charleston area, including in Moncks Corner and Goose Creek.

Charleston Flooring Repair Services—Tile

The team at Mr. Handyman of Charleston and Summerville can complete a range of tile repairs, including efficiently swapping-out damaged tile and replacing old grout. We can also replace and lay a range of tile materials. Whether you want to remove outdated vinyl and replace it with ceramic tile, or you want to update the tile in your shower, we've got it covered. Our experienced team can even help install quarried tile like slate, which requires a reinforced subfloor.

Charleston Flooring Repair Services—Laminate and Vinyl

From repairing a damaged laminate plank to replacing outdated vinyl, our hardworking service professionals can do it all. Between our years of experience and excellent customer service, we'll ensure you have a positive experience with our company from start to finish.

Charleston Flooring Repair Services—Hardwood:

When your elegant, durable hardwood floors need a little TLC to get them looking as good as they once did, call the pros at Mr. Handyman of Charleston and Summerville. We have the tools, expertise and skills to tackle a wide range of hardwood flooring projects, and are highly skilled at refinishing hardwood surfaces.

Hire Our Charleston Flooring Repair Experts Today!

Whether you need a complete replacement or just Charleston flooring repair service, trust your home to the experts at Mr. Handyman of Charleston and Summerville. Not only do we provide high-quality services, but our friendly technicians are also easy to talk to and will offer expert advice to keep them in good condition year after year. Customer satisfaction is always our top priority.

To get started on your next home improvement project, we invite you to give our friendly customer service representatives a call at 843-940-7525 .