Hardwood Floors - Dark Spots

I am rehabbing a house and refinishing the hardwood floors. There are some dark spots in the floor that my guy can't seem to get out. We machine sanded the floor with 20 grit sand paper. Is it possible to use a bleach water solution to lighten up the dark spots. I am just curious because the stain will not hide the dark spots unless I go with a darker stain. I know that when you clean wood you use a 4:1 bleach water solution and I was curious if that could lighten up my dark spots. The floors are too nice to put carpet on them. Any ideas or suggestions from those that have experienced this problem.

Usually those are caused by pet urine. I hired the best and brightest and they said replace the boards. I decided it was part of the charm of an old house. Finished over it and sold the place.

Mainly two things cause dark stains; they are pet urine and water from pots... Both are extremely difficult to get rid of. Bleach will help a little but not a 100 %.. a good craftsman should be able to remove flooring from a closet and replace the boards effected. I caution you to not use new wood as it will look just as bad as it does now..



[ Edited by IBuyHousesInc on Date 11/01/2005 ]

I agree with Chris and Cole. As long as the finish is smooth and consistent, the dark spots will be part of the "patina" that help give wood floors their charm.

Part of the charm? Too bad people don’t feel the same way about pet urine stains on carpet. That would save a ton of money! LOL