Proper maintenance is key

 

Properly finished wood is the easiest of all flooring to keep clean and looking like new year after year.

 

Regardless of the finish of your new floor, it is imperative to never pour water on the floor. While a slightly dampened mop may be used on some finishes in good condition, even small amounts of water can cause the deterioration of finishes and warp the underlying wood.

 

When using any maintenance product, be sure to read the label. Always use products specifically designed for wood floors.

 

Your wood floors benefit from preventive maintenance. The following are some maintenance tips for keeping your floors looking great for years to come.

 

• Dirt and grit act just like sandpaper on any floor. Use dirt-trapping, walk-off mats at all exterior doors.
• Vacuum regularly. Don’t use the beater bar; as it can damage the finish. Please be aware that vacuum wheels may scratch the surface.
• Check with the flooring manufacturer before using a microfiber pad to clean your floor. This can cause a splintering or tearing, exposing unfinished wood.
• It is extremely important that the finish is fully cured before placing any rugs,rug pads, etc.
• Put felt fabric glides on the legs of your furniture.
• Use a rug pad with any rug placed on your wood floor. Do not use sticky backers.
• In kitchens, use area rugs at high spill locations and work stations such as the stove, sink, and refrigerator.
• Wipe up spills promptly with a dry cloth or paper towel.
• Be sure to stay mindful of shoes, especially high heels.
• Be mindful of your pet’s wet coat and nails, as these may also damage your new floors.

 

A clean, well maintained floor will lead to years of beauty and strength!

 

Beyond these preventive maintenance tips, your floors will likely need additional care. First it is imperative to identify your floor’s finish. Steps to help identify your finish:

 

• If the smudge is noticeable, the floors have likely been waxed and maintenance should follow the guidelines for floors with a penetrating finish.
• If no noticeable smudge is evident and/or the clear finish was scraped, follow the maintenance procedures for a surface finish.

 

Floors with surface finishes and floors with penetrating finishes will require similar care; but when it comes to removing stains or restoring the finish in heavy traffic areas, different methods are appropriate for these two types of finish.

 

 

Penetrating finish

 

With a penetrating sealer, occasional buffing helps to renew the shine and remove scuffs. With proper care, you may be able to go a year or more before having to re-wax your entire floor. Wax-coated finishes should NEVER be cleaned or maintained with water– not even a damp mop.

 

Surface finish

With a surface finish, a lightly dampened mop can be used to clean up spills. For cleaning dirty areas, make sure to sweep and vacuum. When high-traffic areas of surface finished floors begin to show significant wear, abrading and re-coating an entire floor is the simplest choice for proper maintenance.

Gaps and Squeaks

 

All the wood in your home will contract or expand as the moisture in the air increases and decreases. To prevent this, balancing the humidity of your home as much as possible is your best choice. For squeaks in penetrating finishes, apply a liberal amount of floor wax. For surface finishes, apply talcum powder or soapstone between the adjacent boards where the noise occurs.

Re-finishing

Wood floors that have become unsightly from years of wear or neglect can be restored to their original beauty. Machine sanding removes the old finish and exposes untouched wood. With the application of new finish material, floors become like new again. While the highly skilled home craftsman may want to undertake the task of refinishing, our team of experts make sure to do the job correctly.