Wood floors require regular maintenance. These floors are usually required in areas with humid climate, such as Westchester County. There are a lot of hardware stores in Westchester County which specialize in the sales and installation of wooden and hardwood flooring. These wooden floors are easy to clean and maintain. You do not have to enforce strict policies to maintain your wooden floors but there are certain things which you need to keep in mind at all times.
Other than that, hardwood floors add value and beauty to your house or business. According to real estate agents in Westchester County, the value of your house or office tends to increase once you install hardwood floors. They have a tendency to fetch a higher price for your property. Here are a few ways you can take care of your wooden flooring:
1. Stride Lightly:
You don’t actually have to remove your shoes at all times to protect your floor. Keep in mind that wearing high heels or sports cleats and walking on a wooden floor can easily dent the surface of the wood. Therefore, you have to avoid wearing them on hardwood floors. Not just high heels, furniture can also scratch the wooden flooring. To avoid this, you can use felt pads at the bottom of your chair and table legs. You can use doormats outside the entrance to prevent the dust and sand.
2. Clean it carefully:
The foremost thing to keep in mind is that you should not use a wet mop to clean your wooden floor. You cannot even use a steam mop on it. This is because water and steam can dull the finish of the wood and it can even damage the wood. You can use a slightly damped cloth instead to wipe up spills immediately. You do not have to wax your floor to maintain it; instead you can try buffing it. Hardwood floors can be best cleaned using either dust mop or vacuum regularly. You can also try using the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations for better results.
3. Moderate Temperature:
Your hardwood floor requires an ideal temperature between 60 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It also requires around 30 percent to 50 percent humidity level. You have to keep the thermostat around these ranges of temperature to protect your wooden flooring or the planks from bulking or gapping. The planks can get damaged by the drastic changes in heat and moisture inside the house. Radically, the room temperature has to change some times but if it stays that way for a prolonged period, then it would affect the wood.
If you’re trying your best by doing everything to maintain your wooden floor and it does not work, then you should call in an expert to apply a new coat of finish. You can also have your floor sanded after every 7 to 10 years.