Expert: Dave Coil - 5/8/2004

Question
Dave --

I am not sure if you'll know the answer to this question, and if not, that's okay.  I am renovating an older home with hardwood floors.  Unfortunately, they were covered with carpet for years, and when I took up the carpet, there was a path through the middle of the room where apparently someone steam cleaned the carpet and didn't extract all the water -- so it's darker than the rest of the floor (and blotchy, besides.)  What are my options?  I would prefer not to cover the floor with carpet again, for fear that it will happen again.  I have tried sanding, but the stains are too deep.  It is a oak floor, stained that "lovely" 70's yellow (although most of the stain came off when I sanded.)

Thanks so much in advance!

Lorena

Answer
If  the stain is too deep to sand out...you may try to bleach it out.  I would not gurantee success, but it May be possible.   If you can locate "boric acid" in a granular or powder form, mix with water and soak it in....it will bleach the oak quite a bit.  If it is too far gone...another floor covering may be the only/best choice.