Patience and great attention to detail are required when it comes to polishing the surface of a wood floor. Many individuals opt to engage professionals to execute the work for them, but it is possible to complete it on your own. In practice, doing it yourself is far less expensive and, in certain cases, faster!
Mould and resistance to scratching, as well as a clean, professional look, are all benefits of polished flooring. It now happens that the floor had or has been successfully polished. What next? An obvious need that is worth considering is how to maintain and therefore lengthen the lifespan of the polished floor.
The short lifespan of the floor will imply that renovations and even new constructions of the same be done which will require spending. Let’s look at some suggestions for extending the life of a polished wood floor.
1. Cover all furniture with felt pads.
Protective felt pads that are self-adhesive should be put to all furniture legs, with a special focus on dining chairs. Dining chairs are usually moved frequently and as a result, are likely to get damaged faster. To help with more durable adherence, rough up the underside of the chair leg with a piece of sandpaper before applying the felt.
2. Make use of the proper entrance mats.
Rigid, spiky plastic entrance mats will substantially help with the removal of dirt and grit from footwear treads.
3. Vacuum and sweep your home regularly.
Vacuum your floor regularly to maintain it clear of grit, which acts like sandpaper under shoes, creating unrequired and accelerated wear in your home’s high-traffic areas.
4. Prevent damages from dog claws.
After clipping your dog’s claws, use an emery board or fine sandpaper to smooth out the edges – sharp edges will leave permanent indentation scratches on any polished hardwood or pine floor.
5. Only use the right products for cleaning purposes.
Avoid using retail supplies since they might leave a residue layer that may cause rejection issues later on when a coat for maintenance shall be required to prolong the floor’s lifespan.
Do not ignore instructions from the manufacturer relating to the specific coating you intend to use.
Note: A neutral cleaning solution made from half a cup of methylated spirit and half a household bucket of warm water can be used to mop any polished floor.
6. Direct sunlight should be diffused.
Intense direct sunlight on a polished indoor floor might cause a variety of issues. For instance:
- You may find that the finish has yellowed prematurely.
- It can dry out the boards in that location, reducing the moisture content and causing gaps between the boards to grow excessively.
- In extreme cases, it can cause the boards to cup and the coating to deteriorate more quickly.
Wherever possible, use blinds, drapes, or tinted glass.
7. Ventilation from under the floor.
If your house is built on stilts and is near to the ground, or if you live in an enclosed location where dampness is constant, make sure you have enough ventilation to retain a dry underfloor environment. Timber flooring will absorb moisture from beneath. They will then swell (timber) and appear convex on top after absorbing moisture from underneath. If the ventilation and moisture problems are rectified, this condition will repair itself after a while.
For the proper and timely maintenance of your floors, call on MJS Floorsanding in Brisbane.
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