The Benefits of Different Types of Flooring

Tips to Help You Maintain Your Timber Flooring More Efficiently

20 April 2017

Marian Moreno

Timber floors are an excellent flooring option to consider for your home because of their versatility, durability and the aesthetically appealing natural look they create. However, some level of maintenance is required to keep your timber floor functional. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of what is wrong and right when it comes to maintaining their timber floors. Making mistakes in your maintenance tasks will affect the performance of your timber flooring. For this reason, here are few tricks you will find useful.

Clean Properly

Cleaning is a major activity in any floor maintenance task, but you need to be extra careful when cleaning your timber floors. First, it is crucial that you sweep first before you mop the floor. This is because any dirt particles that could be on the floor will scratch it as you mop. Besides, you are likely to leave behind hair and fluffs of dust when you mop an unswept floor. A soft bristle broom usually works well for timber floors.

Wood is susceptible to water damage. Therefore, don't use too much water when moping. In fact, you only need to mop your timber floor once in a while and when you do, it's best to use a damp cloth. Follow the grains when mopping to pick up embedded particles of dirt more easily. To keep your timber floors clean each day, sweeping and vacuuming is enough. However, the brush you use on your vacuum can damage your floor. For instance, rotating brushes on your vacuum can be abrasive to your timber floors. Consider using floor brush attachments or turning off your brush roll.

Be very cautious when using steam cleaners. As a rule of the thumb, skip the steam cleaning if the surface finish of your timber floor has wax. Also, when using steam cleaners, set it to the lowest level of steam.

Use a Dehumidifier

Consider using a dehumidifier in your home especially during the heating seasons. This will help minimise the shrinkage of wood.

Don't Be Too Quick to Sand Leak-Damaged Areas

Water may spill on your timber floor and it goes unnoticed. After a while, you may realise some cupped or warped areas on the floor. When this happens, don't rush to sand off these buckled areas. Give the floor some time to dry out to re-stabilise on its own. Sanding too soon may leave you with gaps between your timber floor boards when the buckled parts eventually sink back.

For more tips on maintaining your timber floors, work with professionals like Parquetry Flooring Co Pty Ltd.

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