Maintaining Your Wood Floor
Maintaining Your Wood Floor
You want your wood floor to retain its elegance and beauty. For this, effort needs to go into its cleaning and maintenance. The dirt and grit that builds up on the surface of the floor is a direct threat to it. The abrasive effect that occurs when the particles are grinded against the surface of the floor is like having tiny bits of sandpaper all over that slowly wear down the surface. Those liquids that have been spilled on the other hand can form stains that will be unsightly, clashing with the rest of the colouration of the wood. Liquids can also seep into the seams of the wood, putting it at risk of water damage. When cleaning, extra care needs to be taken in the selection of equipment used, as well as the amount of solution involved. With the wood’s hygroscopic nature, you don’t want a scenario where it ends up soaking up too much solution.
Applying Protective Treatments
The primary role of floor lacquers is to provide a barrier of protection against the daily wear and tear that the floor witnesses. Here there are different approaches that one can take. Take oil-based polyurethane finishes for instance. They are very durable, but tend to have a high VOC content as well. That strong odour when applied, and for the weeks that follow, can make the interior space uncomfortable, as well as pose health risks. Moreover, they tend to form an amber or yellow colour as they age, due to the interaction with sunlight. There are also moisture-cured polyurethanes on the market. The curing process of these finishes occurs as they absorb moisture from the air – hence the name. While they are highly water-resistant and very durable, they have extremely high VOC content. In fact, contractors typically need respirators during application, and the strong fumes generated also add to the issues that are raised about them. Penetrating oil sealers get into the wood, filling the pores and creating a durable seal. They can include a blend of natural oils, and add to the durability of the floor. Here, note that there will be a long drying time in between coats – which can take a day or two, prolonging the treatment process. If the drying process is rushed, the oil treatment can develop a whitish colour. With acid-cured finishes, they form some of the most durable protective treatments, but these also release high VOC amounts into the indoor space, and the curing process can take long – as much as two months.
Wax has been used as a floor finish for centuries, seeping into the wood pores and increasing its protection. While it has low VOCs, wax is not as durable as the others, requiring more maintenance sessions, and as the treatment gets older it becomes more vulnerable to water damage. Shellac can be used together with wax, being applied as the base coat then wax is applied on top. Shellac actually has low VOC amounts and is not toxic, but the application process is quite difficult, and is also susceptible to water damage, as well as deterioration from ammonia and alcohol agents that are used on the floor.
A popular type of finish that is being widely adopted is water-based floor lacquers. These have lower VOC amounts than the competing oil-based agents, milder odours, and dry much faster. Usually, it just takes 2-4 hours of drying time in between coats. For instance, with Tover Idrolak DR 97, the treatment will be dust dry within 1 hour, and the second coat can be applied after 4 hours. The floor will be ready to handle traffic within 24 hours.
They also feature high durability, protecting the underlying floor from damage. The level of protection you get varies, with the water-based finishes coming as one-component or two-component formulations. The mentioned Tover Idrolak DR 97 is in the latter category, a two-component agent that brings enhanced mechanical properties to the installation, with abrasion and chemical resistance. It’s ideal for high traffic environments, where the floors are exposed to high levels of wear.
Extra Tips To Take Care Of Your Wood Floor
- Have a “No Shoe” Policy
Given that dirt being tracked in the house at the bottom of people’s shoes is a major contributor to the grime that winds up on the floor, getting your family members and guests to take off their shoes before entering the house will go a long way in protecting the floor. Having a shoe rack, or slippers and sandals close to the entrance will encourage them to make the switch.
- Set up entry mats
Whether it is salt and snow picked up from the sidewalks during those winter months, or water from shoes that are wet, the amount of this that gets to the wood floor can be minimised by having entrance mats. In fact, with a mat outside the house and another inside the door, it will cut down how much gunk is transferred into the space. Those walking in will wipe their shoes on the mats, further protecting your wood floor.
- Get felt pads for your furniture
This is especially for the chairs that get moved frequently – like the seats at the dining table. Even the heavy sofas in the living room need felt pads given that there are minuscule movements that occur whenever the sofas are being used, adding to the strain on the floor. To reduce the likelihood of the units ruining your floor, felt pads will come in handy. They provide a cushioning effect. Remember that you should still carry and lift the furniture when you’re shifting its position, as opposed to dragging it across the surface.
- Invest in area rugs and mats
These are particularly handy on sections where the risks to the floor are greater. For instance, in the dining room where the chairs are being frequently moved, they help in reducing the impact to the floor. In the kitchen, positioning a mat at the sink will reduce the amount of splashes that get to the floor. Having a mat under the pet feeding bowl is also particularly handy in protecting the underlying floor from spills.
- Outdoor cleaning
The home’s key entry areas should be cleaned regularly, sweeping them to reduce the amount of grit, dirt and pebbles that are accumulating there. These are the likes of the front entrance, back porch and even the garage. Periodic cleaning will cut down the amount of grime that would have transferred into the house.