There are lots of ways to add value to your house. A wooden floor is one guaranteed way of doing this. They are also a great way to enjoy the comfort that a home has to offer. However, to achieve all of this it’s necessary to give the floor the attention that it requires in order to stay looking good and strong.
Most of the things that you, as the homeowner is required to do are quite simple but should be done regularly. Lack of regularity in performing the tasks translates to lack of doing them at all. The following practices will ensure that you keep them in good conditions:
1. Take Enough Care
Though it’s not necessary to enforce a no-shoes strict policy, you should avoid walking on the floor high heels whenever you can. The high heels can easily dent the wooden surface. You should also ensure that felt pads have adhered to the legs of furniture so as to avoid scratching the floor.
To prevent particles from the soles of shoes from damaging and removing the floor’s finish, it’s wise to put doormats at every entrance.
2. Keep It Cool
The recommended temperature range for wooden floors is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity level should be somewhere between 35% and 50%. The dramatic changes in moisture and heat increase the chances of the planks buckling and gapping.
Therefore, ensure that your thermostat stays at this range all the year round. However, very slight changes in the heat should not cause you any alarms. Radical changes in the temperature of the room have to stay for extended periods for it to begin affecting the floor.
3. Keep Dust and Other Debris Out
Debris has negative effects on the sheen of the floor. If you are up to the task, you can vacuum or sweep every day. However, if you don’t think you can, do it twice every week. A microfiber mop cleaner that’s at neutral pH or a home-made solution can be used once a week to remove the dirt that sticks on the floor.
However, there are many products out there that claim that they can rejuvenate, polish or shine. These should be avoided at all costs because they contain additives that will create a buildup.
4. Call the Professionals
You may at any time require to replace your wooden floor. Many wood floors have stayed for a hundred years and over because of proper care. However, the wood may lose its lustre after some time. When this happens to your floor, you should hire an expert to apply for you a fresh coat of finish.
Another long-term maintenance and care practice that you can do to your floor is to sand. This can be done every 7 to 10 years. You can also do the sanding whenever there are worn out areas loss of colour, loss of stain, or gouges. These problems are often caused by food spillages, the mischief of pets or lots of foot traffic.
These care and maintenance practices for wooden floors may seem simple and easy. However, keeping up with the regularity is a big problem for most of us. If you really want your floor to really add some value to your home and stay strong for long, you can’t afford to overlook any of the above practices.