Monday, December 10, 2012

Tips to Protect Your Hardwood Flooring From the Outdoors


The hardwood flooring in your home not only looks great but also enhances the value of the property. Wood floors are a beautiful investment, but need to be well maintained in order to keep them looking shiny and inviting for years to come.

Protect them from moisture

There are two ways in which your hardwood floors can be affected by moisture. Your house may be prone to flooding, or else there may be more spillage of liquids on your floors than is acceptable. So any kind of spill should be wiped off immediately. Another thing that affects moisture levels is the change in humidity levels during different seasons. During summers, the low levels of humidity in air can lead to the wood pulling apart at the seam of the planks. In order to avoid all this damage to hardwood flooring it is important to ensure optimum concentration of humidity in the atmosphere through proper air-conditioning throughout the varying seasons.

Using rugs for added protection

Using synthetic rugs is a good way to protect your hardwoods from unwanted moisture as these are made from a breathable material. They provide added padding and hence protect hardwood floors from excessive dirt. With rugs, expensive floors will also be saved from scratches and gouges. A good option is to place these just near the doorway. This way they collect direct; as people enter the home.

Avoid plastic mats

Any kind of plastic mats, foam or rubber mats should not be used on hardwood flooring as these may discolor the floor. Rather, good quality vinyl rugs can be used instead.

Daily cleaning is important

It is important to sweep or vacuum your floors on a regular basis in order to remove sand and abrasive dust from scratching the flooring. In addition, area rugs need to be shifted from their place from time to time since they block the sunlight. The floor under these area rugs will not fade with the rest of the flooring. Use very little water while cleaning these floors. This means using a mop that is slightly damp. Or else, a spray on cleaner along with a microfiber mop can be used.

Avoid direct sunlight

Ensure that your wood flooring is not exposed to direct sunlight as that may affect the coloring as well as its gloss. In order to do this, you can place heavy curtains on the windows. Keep them pulled during the day.

Your hardwood flooring is an expensive investment. Regular maintenance will ensure that it remains shiny and lasts for years to come. Any kind of dirt on the floor needs to be swept off as early as possible. Spillage has to be wiped up immediately. Following these practices would ensure that your flooring remains as good as new.

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