Hardwood floors are a desirable feature in many homes. Not only do they add value to your home, but they also can last decades with proper care. Hardwood requires special care compared to other flooring choices. You may not realize that things you do on a regular basis maybe gradually ruining your floors. Your floor is a big investment and you don’t want to be the reason it doesn’t look it’s best. Here are a few things you may be doing that can ruin your floors.
Not Using Furniture Pads
Do you want scratches or marks on your hardwood floors? Don’t use furniture pads. Think about it. Any time you sit on a couch or chair that sits on top of hardwood floors, the piece will shift slightly. With each shift comes more marks on the floor. Doing it over and over again will continually worsen the marks. Using furniture pads will help keep your floor scratch-free by preventing the marks.
On another note, don’t drag furniture or heavy appliances over your hardwood floors. Felt pads, furniture straps, and assistance are good ways to move heavy objects over wood floors without damage.
Forgetting to Sweep
You may not think sweeping is a big deal until you have a buildup of dirt, dust, and other abrasive particles on your floor. If you don’t sweep regularly, these substances can scratch your floor without you even noticing. Especially in high traffic areas where you don’t have a rug, over time, you’ll be left with flooring that is worn away.
If you see scratches in high traffic areas, repair those boards. Depending on the finish, you may have to do the whole room at one time, or just the area. Lightly buff and apply one coat of urethayne finish. If your floors are incredibly damaged, it is best to call a professional. They may recommend sanding the whole thing down, re-staining, and refinishing.
Mopping Incorrectly
Everyone knows that water is a wood floor’s worst enemy. The moisture can penetrate the wood’s fibers, causing boards to swell, cup, warp, and separate. This also happens when you create a puddle of cleaning to spread over your floor. Granted, today’s hardwood is treated to endure certain amounts of wet cleaning, but that doesn’t mean you should drench your floors. Every 4-6 weeks, depending on foot traffic, use a damp cloth or mop to clean small areas at a time. Then dry the floor immediately with a towel.
In addition, make sure you use the right kind of cleaning. There are hundreds of different flooring finishes and each requires a different type of cleaner. Just because one says it is safe for floors, doesn’t mean it is right for yours. Some cleaners have heavy chemicals, oils, polishes, or wax that can build up and dull your floors. Check with your floor’s manufacturer for a cleaner that is safe to use.
There Isn’t A Mat Near the Door
Imagine having sandpaper on the bottom of your shoes. That is what it is like walking in from the street and onto your hardwood floors. A good mat is the first defense for your home, allowing you to knock off stones, dirt, and grime off the bottom of your shoes. Not only will a mat keep your floors cleaner, but they also serve as a place for guests and family to put their shoes. Even if you don’t want to take off your shoes, at least will be cleaner by the time they hit the floor.
Wear High Heels
Wearing high heels is the equivalent to taking a tiny hammer to your floor. The force of walking in these shoes can easily scratch wood floors. A 125lb woman walking in heels has an impact of 2,000lbs per square inch. It is even worse if your heals are damaged. An exposed heel nail can exert up to 8,000lbs per square inch. Chuck them at the door and you’ll minimize this risk. Leave a comfy pair of slippers near the door if you need a reminder.
Fluffy’s Nails Need A Trim
Pet nails can be annoying. The sound alone as they skitter across the floor is a reason enough to get them trimmed. The nails also ruin your finish and eventually ruin your floors. You and your pets will probably be a lot happier if their nails are trimmed. Cutting your dog’s or cat’s nails isn’t the most fun way to spend an evening, so consider contacting a groomer.
Another consideration with pets is accidents. If your pet has an accident on the floor, don’t leave it. The longer urine sits on the floor, the worse it is for the floor. If your pet has an accident on an area rug, clean and dry both the rug and wood floor underneath to help prevent damage.
Tiftickjian & Sons are here to help. Whether you’re looking for residential or commercial installation, our goal is to provide the perfect hardwood floor for you. We offer a variety of textures including traditional solids, engineered, hand-scraped or distressed, as well as a wire brush look or oil finish. Our products come in a variety of colors from modern grays to classic darks and lights.
