"Is it even worth saving this floor?" Most of the time, yes — but not always.
If boards are structurally sound — no rot, no major cupping — refinishing almost always wins. Faster, less disruptive, and cheaper than replacement.
Floors sanded multiple times already may not have enough thickness left. Widespread water damage or cupped boards that won't lay flat are also signs patch repair won't hold.
Sometimes the answer is a hybrid: replace the damaged boards, then refinish the whole floor so it matches — still usually cheaper than full replacement.
