How to remove water stains from wood floor? Sanding will not help

Joan Franco
by Joan Franco
  5 answers
    • Joan Franco Joan Franco on Jul 06, 2017

      Thanx for responding but the stains I have are the dark kind that result from water seeping into the wood. This was discovered when I removed the vinyl flooring with the intention of keeping the wood floor in the room instead. I have no idea how long the water was seeping into the floor but the stains reach out about 6 feet so it must have been a very slow leak from my toilet and must have been leaking for a long time. I will keep looking for a solution, if one exists. Thanx again.

  • Norris720 Norris720 on Jul 06, 2017

    Joan FrancoHometalker - You will have to use three levels of sanding to get the stain area out. Start with a coarse, then medium, and then finish with a fine grit. If you use a floor sander then you will have to make several passes but you do not want to gouge into your flooring.

    • Joan Franco Joan Franco on Jul 06, 2017

      Thanx for your input but two flooring people have assured me that sanding won't work because the stains are not superficial but rather extend deeply into the wood. I was hoping that there might be some kind of "bleach" that would remove them but so far, no luck finding same. Thanx again

  • Mike Mike on Jul 06, 2017

    Rent a more aggressive sander, but ensure you blend the sanding by sanding a larger area. Unless you don't mind having a low spot where your stains are. I'm assuming this is a hardwood like oak. Or hire a professional. I have a friend that ruined his floor I installed for him by sanding it himself.

    • Joan Franco Joan Franco on Jul 06, 2017

      Thanx for the input. This floor is from the building's early days as a carriage house and I have no idea what the wood is. As for creating a low spot by sanding, the blotches are all over so I might very well end up with a floor that's hazardous. Thanx anyway.

  • Norris720 Norris720 on Jul 06, 2017

    Joan Franco - Can you upload pictures of the stained area. After sanding and bleaching the floor(I have hear of this but did not mention it) you would have to go to a darker stain. If your a D.I.Y.-er you can remove those boards in the area and try to match up the area. This only if it pleases you. Floor contractors are in thw business of making money and leave. No disrespect but that is their business. D.I.Y.-ers have time on their hands if it will save money. Just a response and glad to help. Thank you for your reply.

    • Joan Franco Joan Franco on Jul 07, 2017

      Thanx for the info. If I can't remove the water marks, I will use a darker stain. I didn't want to do that because I wanted this floor to look like a continuation of my bedroom floor. Perhaps I will just do both rooms darker. I don't want to get into removing sections of the floor. thanx again

  • Mike Mike on Jul 06, 2017

    Hi...if the boards are 2" to 2.5" it's probably oak or maple. It should cost about $8.00 a square foot to refinish it professionally. Good luck

    • Joan Franco Joan Franco on Jul 07, 2017

      It was a professional that told me about the water stains and said that sanding wouldn't take care of it since the stain is in the wood, not on it. I'm looking for some method of removing it from the wood before I give up and stain it darker.