Maintenance Tips for Timber Flooring
One of the components of your home that greatly enhance its overall aesthetic is the flooring that you choose. Most homeowners tend to be biased toward timber flooring due to its classic look and numerous design options. However, improper maintenance of timber flooring will lead it to succumb to wear and tear before its time and affect its overall attractiveness. Unlike other types of flooring, this type of flooring requires some specific maintenance measures to be adhered to so as to ensure that it remains in its best condition. Here are some maintenance tips to ensure that your flooring not only remains aesthetically appealing, but also minimizes the times you would need to engage in repairs.
Use water sparingly on your timber flooring
Since wood is an organic material, it is absorbent. A common mistake homeowners make is mopping their timber flooring with excessive water with the aim of eliminating dirt as quick as they can. You should actually only use water sparingly; the more exposure the wood has to moisture, the higher the chances of the boards expanding, which could eventually lead to warping and buckling. Additionally, you should take note to clean away stains as soon as they occur. As aforementioned, timber is absorbent; thus, leaving stains to sit will eventually discolour your flooring.
Keep debris away from your timber flooring
If you have timber flooring, it is pertinent to reduce the instances that it is exposed to debris and other particles from the outdoors. Even the smallest particles can pose a risk of scratching your floors hence affecting their appearance. There are a number of ways that you can do this. For one, install coir mats at your entryways to ensure that guests do not track in particles with their shoes. Alternatively, you can have a no-shoes rule in your house so as to decrease the risk of shoes and heels damaging your timber flooring. A good alternative would be to keep house shoes at all entryways in the event that your guests may not be comfortable walking around barefoot.
Regularly seal and polish your timber flooring
Having a sealant applied to your timber flooring goes a long way in keeping its appearance new. These sealants work toward protecting your flooring against moisture penetration; hence, you do not have to worry about humidity and other factors affecting your floorboards. Additionally, you should ensure that you polish your floors on a regular basis. Constant exposure to the sun's UV rays may start making your floors look dull. Polishing and buffing the floors will restore them to their initial glory.