How Can I Protect My Wood Floor From Water Damage?
Hardwood flooring can be a thing of beauty and it’s often a big investment for many homeowners. Beyond aesthetics, hardwood floors are known and loved for their durability and sustainability. You want your hardwood floor to last for years, but you have to do a bit of maintenance work to get the most out of your hardwood flooring. That involves protecting the wood floor from water damage, scratches, sun damage, stains, and even humidity. How can you protect your floor from water damage? Here are some useful tips that you can apply in the maintenance and care of your hardwood floor.
Fix Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues can do a lot of damage without a timely response to address the issue. Whether it’s a pipe leak or flooding, don’t wait to fix the plumbing issue because wood flooring is prone to water damage even from the smallest leak. Find the source of the water like a leak from burst pipes, o a defect in your roof, and make the necessary repairs. Conduct routine inspections of your pipes, especially after the winter season. Furthermore, when cleaning your hardwood floor, be sure to use products that are intended for use on such surfaces, and dry the floor thoroughly.
Don’t Neglect Sealing Your Floor
Waterproofing your hardwood floor is not entirely possible with sealants. However, sealants are effective at repelling spills and protect your wood floor from water damage. At least once a year, refinish wax sealants and regularly reapply your floor sealant. Initial sealers are applied to flooring after installation especially if the surface is extremely porous with a high risk of scratches and stains. Regular use sealers are ideal for general sealing to address wear and tear that your floor goes through and the recommended application is monthly or annually. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on your sealant when doing maintenance work on your wood floor.
Place Rugs at Entrances
Dirt and mud can get dragged inside and land on your wood floor which can cause abrasions and scratches. Doormats or rugs are an easy and convenient way to leave dirt and mud on the outside and off your wood floors. If you keep certain particles, chemicals, and liquids away from your wood floor in the first place, you’ll be better able to protect your floor. Put mats or rugs at exterior doors to collect dirt, mud, and water from footwear.
Clean up Messes Pronto
No matter the kind of mess that happens on your wood floor, don’t wait to clean it up. Do so right away to avoid having to deal with a bigger issue later on. You should especially clean up water messes immediately since water can cause significant damage to your wood floor, from discoloration to warping. Messes will happen, but you can limit the extent of the damage that can be caused by being proactive.
Contact Roy’s Restoration in Boston
If your wood floor needs some restoration after a flood or some water damage, contact Roy’s Restoration! We’ll assist in restoring your floor back to normal. Give us a call today at 617-607-3399 or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
