Whatever finish you choose on your flooring, there is one thing to remember... Dirt and Grit act like sandpaper to destroy the protective surface of a wood floor. Vacuum, sweep and dry mop regularly.
Apply Floor Protector Pads: All ‘moveable’ furniture need soft clean pads on the bottom of the legs or supports.
Use Door Mats: Keep dirt outside by using door mats placed at all exterior doors.
No High Heels: High heels concentrate a person’s weight onto a small point (estimated 125lbs person equals approximately 2000lbs per inch when taking a normal step). This kind of force can dent and pit wood floors, fracture ceramic tiles and perforate vinyl.
Pets are OK: Dog and Cat claws can scratch a wood floor. It is a good idea to trim them regularly and try to contain vigorous play to carpeted areas. Some finishes like urethanes and Swedish-type finishes are essentially water proof. These are great finishes for pets’ households because pet urine will not hurt these floors if cleaned up immediately. Spills from food/water bowls are usually no problem if wiped up straight away.
Use Area Rugs: Some areas of the house experience more wear than others. Kitchens (especially in front of the sink) always have a lot of traffic. Rugs can be used to protect high-traffic areas. Make sure they are kept dry and clean. Shake them well and vacuum frequently.
Be Careful when Moving Heavy Furniture or Appliances: Remember to pick up heavy furniture and do not slide across the floor. Its a good idea to rent an ‘air sled’ or furniture dolly with rubber wheels. Floor guards enable you to move appliances for servicing without damaging your floor.
Underfloor Heating: Please contact your us for advice. Do not use heavy rugs on underfloor heating systems, this can cause the wood to overheat and may result in irreparable damage.
What about Cracks in my Floor?: Wood floors are very sensitive to their surrounding climate. Seasonal cracking is a common occurrence. Floor boards expand in humid conditions (generally summer months) and contract when air becomes dry (generally winter months when heating dries the environment). Using a Humidifier or Dehumidifier in conjunction with a heating/cooling system is recommended to keep an average 50/60% humidity level. This will minimise shrinkage and cracking.
Indoor Potted Plants: Never place plants directly on a wood floor even if they are in a water proof saucer. Always use trivets or short stands under the pot and saucer so that air can circulate underneath. This will prevent condensation on the saucer from damaging the wood floor. It will also be easier to see if the plant is over watered or if the water has spilled onto the floor.
Rug Marks: Many people are shocked when an area rug is moved and there is an outline of the rug on the floor. Luckily there is no need to panic. If you remove the rug completely, the colour will blend eventually but it will take a while, so be patient. This happens because the sunlight causes the floor to discolour but as it does not reach the floor under the rug, this remains unaffected. This discolouration can be avoided by moving the rugs often or by using a finish with a UV block in it.
Scratches: The most important thing to do about scratches is to find out what caused them. Find the cause and remedy the problem to prevent further scratches appearing. Scuffing or high traffic areas mean gritty shoes or dirty floors. a rug may be needed in these areas. Lightly scratched areas which have not worn through to the raw wood can be lightly buffed. This will shine the area and match the sheen of the rest of the floor, making the scratches less obvious. Several manufactures offer their floor finish in an aerosol can. This can be used if the finish is wearing thin. Read the directions thoroughly before use. A deep scratch or gouge often cannot be repaired easily. Usually the only solution is to fill the scratch and wait to fix when other work is done on the floor. Newly repaired wood often shows more because it does not match the colour of the existing older floor colour. Consult a professional when the damage exposes the bare wood.