Things That Can Destroy Hardwood Floors

The Best Hardwood Floor Protection

Once you invest in natural hardwood floor installation, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect your investment. Proper care and maintenance can extend the lifespan of your flooring, protect it from damage, and keep it beautiful for a lifetime. At Bryan Flooring, we specialize in natural hardwood flooring repair, renovation, and installation. We know that to understand how to protect hardwood floors from damage, you need to have a basic knowledge of the things that can destroy hardwood flooring. Keep reading for everything you need to know about hardwood floor protection, and then call us to schedule an inspection or repairs if you notice any signs of damage to your hardwood floors.

Scratches and Gouges

Hardwood floors are very susceptible to scratches and gouges. If you don’t protect your flooring, it can become scratched by furniture, high-heeled shoes, heavy foot traffic, children, pets, animals, and rodents. You can reduce the risk of scratches and gouges by putting felt pads on the feet of your furniture and using furniture pads or towels when you move furniture. You can also use area rugs and runners to protect high-traffic areas. Only wear soft-soled shoes inside, and avoid ever wearing high heels inside. Only use a soft, microfiber cloth or dust mop to clean your floor, or use your vacuum cleaner on the hardwood floor setting.

Children and Animal Damage

Children and animals can also cause damage to hardwood floors. They can cause spills, scratches, and gouges while playing, eating, or dragging objects around. You can lower the risk of hardwood floor damage from children and pets by watching them play and stopping them from doing things that could damage the floor, discouraging pets and children from rough play indoors, and keeping your pet’s nails trimmed. Animals like rodents, raccoons, and other wildlife can also damage hardwood floors. Schedule regular pest inspections and do what you can to keep wildlife out of your home.

Water Damage

If your hardwood floors aren’t sealed, they are at risk of water damage. You should never use a wet mop or water to clean your hardwood floors. Clean up spills right away. Excessive water damage and moisture can cause rotting, warping, buckling, mold, and mildew growth. Never steam clean your hardwood floors, and don’t put your pets’ water bowls directly on the hardwood flooring.

Harsh Cleaning Products

Using the wrong cleaning products can cause major damage to your hardwood floors. Use the right cleaning tools and products for the type of hardwood you have and how it is sealed or finished. Only use products made for hardwood flooring, and never use bleach, vinegar, or acidic cleaning products. Don’t use rough or harsh cleaning tools like scrubbing pads, steel wool, or anything else that could scratch the wood or ruin the finish. Have your floors professionally cleaned, finished, and waxed every two or three years.

Extreme Humidity or Dry Air

Extreme humidity and very dry air can also affect your hardwood floors. Call a professional for a flooring inspection if you notice mold, mildew, buckling, warping, cupping, rot, or mold and mildew growth. They can determine what is causing the flooring damage and recommend solutions. You may need to install a humidifier or dehumidifier to protect your hardwood floors.

Pests and Insects

Pests and insects can destroy your hardwood floors. Find out if your floors can be treated to reduce their risk of insect damage or make them insect- and pest-resistant. You should also schedule regular pest inspections and ask your pest control expert how to prevent pests and insects from entering your home. They may recommend sealing up entry points, keeping food locked away or in rodent and insect-proof containers, cleaning up crumbs and spills immediately, keeping windows and doors closed, and getting regular pest control services.

Schedule a Consultation for Hardwood Floor Repair with Bryan Flooring

If your hardwood floor is damaged, call us today or contact us online at Bryan Flooring. We offer expert hardwood flooring repair and will complete a comprehensive flooring inspection to assess the age and condition of your hardwood flooring. We can then recommend cost-effective strategies for hardwood flooring repair.