Your hardwood floors have been professionally installed, and they make a big difference in how your home looks. They look fabulous and easy to care for. You want to keep them looking this way for years to come, so you need to know what to do after installation is complete. Here are some tips to help you do that.
Protect the Hardwood Floors from Furniture and Traffic
Dings, dents and scratches are the worst threats to a hardwood floor. You can prevent a lot of those issues if you use preventative maintenance. Place felt pads under heavy furniture such as a bed, couch, table or chairs. While you can find other products to place the legs into, not all of them are safe for use with wood.
Even if you don’t plan on moving the furniture you should use the pads. Chairs and tables can get pushed around and it often doesn’t take much to result in a scratch on wood.
Also consider areas with heavy traffic. You should place area rugs or welcome mats in areas where people walk daily. Entryways often have a lot of water and mud as people walk in which can cause damage to your hardwood flooring. Hallways and through the middle of living rooms and dining rooms are also areas with high traffic.
Clean Floors Often
Your hardwood floors will be easy to clean, but they should be cared for on a regular basis. Most of the time all you need is a dust mop to sweep up dirt. A damp mop is ideal for spills which should be taken care of right away. Wipe up water and other liquids immediately. They can damage your floor if you let them set.
Only use cleaning products which are specifically designed for wood. If in doubt, ask the hardwood flooring company which products are safe.
Keep Sharp Objects Off the Floor
You should be careful about what is placed on your hardwood. Pets are one challenge to hardwood flooring with their sharp nails. Keep them trimmed to prevent scratches. Don’t wear high heels on the floor, especially if they are narrow heels.
If you do find a scratch or dent in the floor, don’t panic. Most of the time, it can be fixed, especially if it’s small. Wood floors are meant to withstand a lot of issues, but it can get expensive over time. That’s why it’s a good idea to prevent as many problems as you can.
Keep Your Thermostat Steady
One of the big issues with hardwood flooring is its susceptibility to temperature change. It’s best to maintain a steady temperature all year long. As the temperature gets warmer or cooler, the wood can expand and contract. Over time, this may cause cracks in the wood or between the planks.
You also want to maintain the correct level of humidity, which can cause the same issue as temperature change. If you follow these rules, you’ll find that your hardwood floors will last a lifetime.
Canada's premier hardwood flooring store. Proudly selling Hardwood Flooring in Toronto since 1977. We have hardwood, laminates, engineered, and exotic flooring; we also provide hardwood flooring installation. hardwoodflooringstore.com
http://www.hardwoodflooringstore.com
|