There are certain floors that cannot be saved by a simple screen and coat procedure due to the level of damage on the wood. This includes dents, deep scratches, wear spots caused by heavy traffic, UV discoloration around rugs, and pet stains. Even though the finish on some floors may appear intact, a recoat may not be effective in hiding the damage underneath.
This is especially true if the floor has been cleaned with certain products such as Murphy's Oil Soap, Orange Glo, or acrylic waxes like Future or Mop & Glo, as the modern polyurethane will not bond to it. In some cases, even aggressive screening won't help as the new finish may experience "crawling," "fish-eye," or widespread peeling.
The frequency of recoating your floors depends on the amount of traffic they receive. Regular usage can cause the floor finish to wear down faster, and therefore, need to be recoated more often.
We suggest keeping an eye out for indications of wear approximately three years after the floors were either sanded or last recoated, excluding kitchens and exterior doorways. However, for high-traffic areas like these, it's better to check for signs of wear after only one year. If you notice noticeable scratches under chairs or in walkways, it's time to consider recoating your floors.