Hardwood Floors

To keep your hardwood flooring looking great, and to preserve the financial investment that you have made, you should undertake these types of repairs (or have a pro do it if you lack the know-how) --

1. Scuffs, Stains, Dust and Dirt: Most everyday stains and marks can be easily cleaned off of your hardwood flooring. Check with the pros who originally installed your flooring, or the manufacturer of the wood, to find out what cleaner can be used with the type of hardwood flooring you have in your home. Dust can be picked up with a dust mop, dirt and soil can be cleaned from your floors with a damp (not wet!) mop or sponge. Do not use ANY cleaning agent without first checking to be sure it is safe - some solvents and cleaning agents can discolor or completely remove your floor's finish.

2. The key to preventing warping of your hardwood floors is to make sure that it is installed on a firm sub-flooring surface, and that proper humidity is maintained in the room. Overly-humid conditions, and water being trapped under the floorboards can cause the boards to become warped.

3. In the same way, overly-dry room conditions can cause shrinkage of your hardwood floorboards, so maintaining proper humidity is critical (if your air is chronically dry, consider using a room humidifier to add additional moisture to the room). Extremely loose floorboards should be nailed down to prevent shifting.

4. Be alert for any signs of cracking of your hardwood flooring - it could indicate that age and/or wear has caught up with it, and it may need replaced. If so, contact a professional for their recommendations.

5. Take proper precautions if you will be involved with the re-sanding or re-finishing of your hardwood flooring. The dust particles may contain toxic chemicals from the previous finish, and the finishes themselves - especially in a liquid state - can be quite toxic and should not be breathed in. All cans, containers, brushes and other equipment should be handled carefully during clean-up, and solvents should be disposed of properly. If you will be using (or even be nearby) very noisy sanding equipment and industrial vacuums you will need proper protection for your ears, to protect your hearing.

6. Finally - and it should go without saying - kids have no place in the work area while your hardwood floors are being repaired. Ditto for pets. Kids and pets can get into all kinds of trouble, and really hurt themselves, if they intrude into the work area. KEEP THEM OUT!