Beaver Brand Hardwood
Flooring since- 1907

Floor Care

The best advice is "use common sense" to maintain your hardwood floor. Remember that, unlike a tabletop, a hardwood floor is meant to be walked on. Dents and scratches will be a part of normal wear so it is important to keep the floor clean and reduce the risk of damage.

Site preparation is key to the ultimate life of a hardwood floor. Hardwood flooring, whether it is a site finished floor or a pre-finished floor, should be one of the last things in the construction schedule. The site must be ready to accept this kiln-dried product and be as close to normal living conditions as possible. The sub-floor must be dry and the ‘wet’ trades such as concrete, plaster and painting should be complete. If possible, avoid other trades working on or over the floor during the installation and finishing.

A properly finished wood floor is one of the easiest floor coverings to clean and maintain. Routine maintenance involves protecting the surface finish from scratches and moisture. Regular dust mopping and vacuuming will keep dirt and grit from scratching the finish. A barely damp mop can be used to clean the floor, but avoid excessive moisture on the floor and clean up spills as soon as possible. Excessive moisture will penetrate into the flooring, causing the grain to rise, the colour to darken and the wood to expand. When the flooring expands, the edges of the boards are compressed and the wood fiber is crushed. The boards will shrink as they dry out and create cracks along the joints.

All wood flooring will expand in the humid summer weather and contract under dry winter conditions. You can minimize these extremes by using a dehumidifier when your heating system is off in the late spring, summer and early fall. During the heating season, you should add moisture in the air with a humidifier.

Periodic re-coating of the finish will ensure a long life of your floor, especially in high traffic areas. The area should be lightly abraded by hand for a good bond, thoroughly cleaned and then coated with finish. Severe damage to the finish will require repair and re-sanding of the floor.

DO DON'T
  • Use floor protectors on furniture legs
  • Vacuum often
  • Use throw rugs and mats in high traffic areas
  • Use dust mops
  • Track in dirt
  • Use wet mops
  • Use ammonia
  • Use spray on dust cleaners

A properly installed and maintained hardwood floor will outlast the home. Treat it with care.

For more information, visit the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)

 

Care

drymop