Maybe it’s because wood flooring adds such a luxurious look to your home that people automatically think it’s really hard to care for. Hardwood flooring is elegant and fits into any style, whether your home is traditional or contemporary.
It’s easy to care for, though, because all you need to do is sweep or damp mop, avoid excess water and those vacuum beater bars which can damage the wood.
If taken care of properly, these floors also last for decades and, since most scratches are really in the veneer and not the wood, a simple refinishing will bring it back to life. The only time you need to replace it is when there’s structural damage, such as warping from excess water or termites.
Speaking of a lot of water, these floors are always damaged by an overabundance of this, but be even more diligent about it when you have hardwood flooring in humid and storm-prone places like Georgia.
In fact, many of the common problems listed below are caused by excess water, so why not avoid it in the first place?
Common Hardwood Challenges
That said, there will be some times when your floor needs some professional TLC, when you see loose planks or buckling.
Here’s a list from Cherokee Floor Covering:
●Gaps. Solid wood will expand and contract in an effort to adjust to the climate. When it’s cool, planks shrink. When it’s humid, they swell. Generally, it will correct normally, but if it persists, call in a professional to tighten the planks.
●Buckling: Excess water in the sub-floor is causing your surface floor to buckle. The water and humidity makes it swell, and there’s no place for it to go, so the planks lift up to accommodate the swelling. ONLY damp mop and wipe spills immediately; don’t let it get in between the planks.
●Cupping. The sides of the floor are raised and the center sinks down, forming the appearance of a cup. It’s caused by moisture in or under the house. When it’s in the house, air condition appropriately, use vents (for the bath, laundry or range), fans and dehumidifiers. If it still goes on, look under the house to see if there’s any standing water in crawl spaces or basements. If it feels excessively humid, you may need to keep on a dehumidifier.
●Chipped or splintering: You might see some small splits or cracks in the wood. You might want to talk to a professional about a simple refinishing. You might only need new veneer, not a sanding.
Still have questions? Talk to us and come into the Cherokee Floor Covering showroom in Woodstock, GA.
