Properly Taking Care Of Your Hardwood Floors Extends Their Life
Are you taking proper care of your hardwood floors? If the floors were already there when you moved in, do you know if previous owners took proper care of them? Here are a few things you can, and should, do to allow them to age gracefully.
Keep hardwood floors clean – You should regularly clean your hardwood floors.
- Use a dry mop with a dusting agent or a dust mop
- Vacuum it with a floor attachment
- Use cleaners specifically marked for hardwood floors
- Clean up spills immediately
- Sweep with a soft-bristled broom
Keep traffic to a minimum – Floors are for feet, but you should show care with your hardwood floors.
- Avoid walking on them with shoes whenever possible
- Keep your pet's nails trimmed and their paws clean
- Avoid damaging footwear, such as high heels or spiky shoes
- Place area rugs onto the most high traffic parts of the floor
Beware of the elements – No matter the kind of wood involved, it's still wood. You have to protect it from the elements.
- Avoid excessive moisture
- Use curtains or window coverings to block out heat and direct sunlight
Watch where you place things – It's okay to place furniture and other things on your hardwood floors, but you need to remain careful about it.
- Don't drag furniture across the floors
- Use pads on chair, sofa, and dresser legs
- Carry furniture rather than push it
- When moving furniture, use a soft-wheeled dolly
- Use furniture sliders
All of these things will help you add to the longevity of your hardwood floors. However, there's a larger step you can take in the form of repairs, sanding, and refinishing your hardwood.
Repairing and Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors
If you only have a section in disrepair, you can look into having it repaired. This can save you the expense of a full refinishing job, or a full floor replacement.
Refinishing hardwood is a subject unto itself. While it's certainly a way to keep your flooring viable over the years, there are also dangers and many considerations associated with doing it too often. Ideally, you should only have to refinish every ten years or so.
The techniques used to refinish your floors will vary depending on the wood type, the type of finish you need, and how long it's been since the last refinishing. Too much sanding can wear the floorboards out quickly and make them too thin. So it's best to seek professional help when considering a refinish.
Replacing Your Hardwood Floors
Your hardwood floors can last a while, especially if you take care of them. However, like most things, they won't last forever. There will come a time when you need to replace your hardwood flooring. If they're too weak, too old, or too far-gone, you will need to replace them.
When that happens, you should seek a dedicated flooring outlet. Once you have your new floors, you will also have the knowledge you need to make sure they last so you can enjoy them for as long as possible.