At Smith Bros Floors, we strive to help our clients find the new hardwood floors that they are looking for. We also see the entire process through the completion of installation and follow-up inspection.
It is our hope that we are providing products, as well as installation services, that give our customers the highest levels of satisfaction.
However, once we have finished your hardwood floor installation and completed a post-installation inspection that leaves you feeling satisfied with your product, the burden falls on you, as the homeowner, to perform regular maintenance of your floors.
Hardwood Maintenance
Taking steps to maintain your hardwood floors can significantly extend the longevity of your floors. Regular sweeping and vacuuming goes a long way towards removing built up dirt that can scratch the surface of your floors.
However, there are a number of common household practices that can actually do more harm than good when it comes to maintaining pristine hardwood floors.
- Allowing Spills to Sit Too Long on Your Hardwood Surface
It can be easy to become distracted from immediate clean up of spills in your kitchen or other areas of your home. Additionally, your kids or pets might spill liquids or solids onto your hardwood floors and neglect to clean up after themselves.
Liquids that sit on your hardwood floors for a prolonged period of time can seep underneath your floorboards, eventually causing unsightly bumps in your surface.
- Cleaning Your Floor with Water or Other Products
Contrary to popular practice, it is not recommended to clean your hardwood floors with a wet-mop, damp-mop, water, or other products. This practice can actually be extremely damaging and, in some cases, may actually violate the terms of your warranty.
- Placing Furniture Directly on Hardwood
Tables, chairs, couches, and other furniture that is placed directly on a hardwood surface can scratch and dent the surface, ultimately compromising its appearance and structural integrity.
Placing protective felt pads underneath your furniture will prevent scratches or dents to your hardwood surface.
- Using 2-in-1 Cleaners
Two-in-one cleaners that contain polish with urethane or acrylics are designed to restore the glossy finish of your hardwood floors. However, these cleaners can actually have the opposite effect if they are not applied properly. In fact, application of two-in-one cleaners that contain polish can result in your hardwood company voiding your finish warranty.
- Allowing Pets, Kids to Enter Without Removing Dirt from Shoes or Paws
It can be extremely difficult to regulate all of the comings and goings of your home. If you have a dog or cat, they will inevitably track dirt and other unwanted substances into your home.
Your kids will inevitably track dirt and grime into your home on a hot summer day when they have been out playing in the mud and they come running back into the house with nothing on their minds besides lemonade.
If you want to maximize the longevity of your hardwood floors, it is important to regulate dirt being tracked into your home, refrain from placing furniture directly on hardwood surfaces, avoid 2-in-1 cleaners with polish, clean up spills immediately, and stop yourself from using excessive amounts of water to clean your hardwood surfaces.
By Mark Freeland Join me on Google +