December 2025 has a way of leaving clues behind, extra guests, party traffic, and that steady shuffle between the kitchen and living room. If our hardwood floors look “fine” at first glance, small damage can still be sitting in plain sight.
We can catch most problems with a quick checkup before they turn into larger repairs. We serve homeowners with solid hardwood floors across Alpharetta and Milton, Georgia, and this simple floor inspection routine works in any home.
Our 10-minute post-holiday hardwood floor checkup (tools and lighting)
We start by removing grit first, because looking for scratches on a dirty solid or engineered hardwood floor is like checking a windshield without wiping it.
- Sweep or vacuum with a soft-bristle attachment (no beater bar).
- Turn off overhead lights, then use a flashlight held low to the floor. This “raking light” makes marks stand out during the floor inspection.
- Walk the main paths slowly and scan for lines, dull patches, and dents.
- Check high-risk spots: entryways, under the dining table, near the tree, and where chairs slide.
- Mark any concerns with painter’s tape so we can re-check them in daylight.
If we plan to use any cleaner like a pH-neutral hardwood cleaner, we test it in an out-of-the-way spot first. Some products can haze a finish, even when used once.
Where damage hides after parties and guests
Winter grit and moisture collect where shoes, pets, and spills repeat the same pattern. We focus on high-traffic zones: the front door, the kitchen-to-living-room path, around the island, hallway runners, near couches, stairs, pet bowls, and by exterior doors.
How to spot grit scratches, heel dents, and finish wear
We look for three common issues that show up after holiday traffic: surface scratches, heel dents, and finish wear.
Quick at-home checks:
- Microfiber mop test: Use a microfiber mop to gently clean the area; if it wipes away, it was dirt, not a scratch.
- Fingernail test: If a mark is lower than the surface and catches a nail, it’s likely a dent.
- Reflection test: Tilt the flashlight until you see a clear reflection; dull areas will look cloudy.
- Edge check: Look near baseboards and seams, wear often starts there.
- Water droplet test: Place a drop of water on the surface; if it beads up, seal integrity is good.
What we don’t do: we avoid wax coatings and heavy scrubbing pads, since both can make refinishing harder and can dull the floor faster.
Grit scratches: surface scratches that show in raking light
Grit acts like sandpaper under shoes. Shallow scratches look like fine hairlines that flash under low light. Deeper scratches can look pale or “white” because they break the finish and penetrate into the wood grain. Even when each line is small, hundreds of them can make a room look tired.
Heel dents and dropped-item marks: how to tell dent vs scratch
Dents are compressed wood fibers, often round or oval. We confirm by angling the flashlight, then running a fingernail across the spot. Softer species and high-heel paths usually show dents first, especially near seating areas. To prevent heel dents and marks from furniture sliding, add felt pads to furniture legs.
Finish wear: dull patches, gray tones, and water-darkened edges
Early finish wear shows up as a loss of shine in walk lanes. More advanced wear can turn slightly gray, a sign the protective layer is thinning. Darkened edges near exterior doors or pet areas can point to moisture damage; seams and plank edges are the first warning spots.
What we should do next, simple fixes vs sanding and refinishing
We decide based on the pattern of damage:
- Light surface scuffs: often improves with proper cleaning, protection pads, or a quick screen and recoat.
- Localized wear: may need spot repair, screen and recoat, or a targeted refinishing hardwood floors plan.
- Widespread dulling or bare wood: refinishing hardwood floors through full sanding is usually the cleanest long-term fix, especially for solid hardwood floors.
For solid hardwood floors needing sanding, professionals use a drum sander for main areas and an edge sander for borders, following a grit progression from coarse grit sandpaper to fine grit sandpaper. We apply wood filler for deep scratches or gaps, then proceed with floor sanding and varnishing. Finishing options include water-based polyurethane for quick drying or oil-based polyurethane for added durability, all with a dust containment system to minimize mess. Before the final coat, we wipe down with a tack cloth, followed by a curing period for optimal hardness.
For an estimate, we take a few photos: the full room, a close-up of the worst area, the entryway, and one flashlight angle shot. If floor sanding and varnishing or sanding is the right call, we can help with Hardwood Sanding and Refinishing. We invite you to call 470-352-1156 for free estimates, and we beat any existing contractor quote by 5% when you show us the written quote.
When it is time to call a pro
- Splintering wood or raised edges
- Black stains
- Exposed wood in traffic lanes
- Wide areas of dullness
- Deep scratches we can feel (may require drum sander and wood filler)
- Water marks that keep returning
Conclusion
A post-holiday hardwood floor checkup takes minutes, but it can save months of living with damage that spreads. When we spot surface scratches, dents, or finish wear early during a floor inspection, we usually have more options and better results for your solid hardwood floors. To prevent issues, place area rugs in high-traffic zones and consider furniture placement to protect the wood grain. For ongoing care, use a pH-neutral hardwood cleaner with a microfiber mop.
Our refinishing hardwood floors services include expert floor sanding and varnishing using a drum sander and edge sander, along with grit progression from coarse grit sandpaper to fine grit sandpaper. We apply wood filler as needed, wipe with a tack cloth and mineral spirits, then finish with water-based polyurethane or oil-based polyurethane, followed by a proper curing period. Trust us for top-quality refinishing hardwood floors and floor sanding and varnishing that restores beauty and durability. If you want a clear plan and a fair price, call 470-352-1156 for a free estimate. With a written quote from another contractor, we beat it by 5%.