Protecting Wood Floors From Wear And Tear
Protecting Wood Floors From Wear And Tear
Hardwood floors, when well cared for, can last as long as the building itself. They are some of the most durable installations, capable of withstanding high levels of traffic. However, emphasis is on proper care, without which the floor can age and deteriorate fast. Neglecting the floor accelerates the damage, and it can get to the point where you’re forced to replace the floorboards themselves.
Some of the things that cause damage to the wood floor include:
- Water
As a result of its hygroscopic nature, wood is sensitive to variations of moisture in its surrounding. This ranges from humidity conditions in the atmosphere around it, to cases of mopping with more water than is required. The wood readily absorbs the excess moisture, which can lead to a wide range of problems – which is why the installer must have insisted on ensuring that the floor is acclimated to its end-use environment before setting it in place, as well as the repeated warnings to only clean the floor with a damp mop, not one that is soaked in solution.
- Soiled shoes
People tracking in dirt from the outdoors under their shoes leave debris on the surface of the floor. Moreover, the particles are grinded against the floor underfoot, causing tiny scratches to form. Sure, a few scratches can be ignored. However, over time there will be so many that they will drag down the decor of the premises. This is also why it is recommended that you prevent your household members from allowing shoes from the outdoors to be worn in the house, instead encouraging them to switch to slippers or sandals.
- Pets
Cats and dogs in the household can wreak havoc on your floor. As they run around with their claws drawn out to give them traction, this has the negative effect of creating unsightly scratches on the floor. This is why it’s recommended that you regularly have the claws trimmed. This can be done at the vet or the groomer’s shop – or you can even purchase the pet nail clippers and do it yourself.
- Furniture
Heavy sets in the household – the likes of sofas and bookshelves, can dent or dig out gouges in the floor. Area rugs are needed here, or getting furniture glides for the different sets. Also, when the furniture is being moved, it should be lifted and carried, not dragged across the floor.
- Kids
The little ones – with their games and frequent accidents, are a constant threat to your wood floor. For instance, simply using the floor as a road for their toy cars and trains, can lead to scratches being formed. Accidental spills from the snacks that the kids take come with the risk of staining and water damage, especially if the spills are not cleaned up quickly.
Protective finishes come in to provide a shield from the abuse that is being meted out to the floor. This is in a bid to increase resistance to staining and the abrasive effects from traffic that is witnessed on a daily basis. For this you want a quality product, whose formulation has been proven to deliver, from a brand that you can trust.
Enter Carver Omeg-Art Floor Lacquer
This waterborne polyurethane finish has been formulated for use on wood or cork floors. It’s a two-component lacquer that brings plenty of benefits onboard including:
- Hard-wearing build
The high resistance formulation adds to the durability of the treated surface, enabling it to withstand the wear effects from everyday use. From foot traffic as people walk about to chemical spills that would have otherwise corroded the wood tissue, treating your floor with the Carver Omeg-Art Floor Lacquer enables it to retain its structural integrity for longer.
- Slip resistance
This particular attribute of the Carver Omeg-Art Floor Lacquer is key to increase traction on the floor and prevent slip and fall accidents. It is so effective in this that it has met the UNI EN 13036-4:2004 standards, which enables it to be used for finishing parquet floor installations in gymnasiums, making the surface safe for athletes. Bringing this to your home comes with the welcome benefit of giving vulnerable household members like the elderly more grip as they walk on the floor, and also reduces the risk of accidents when the floor is being mopped.
- Retain that natural look
With this treatment, that natural appeal of your wood floor is maintained. That way you get to provide the required protection and enjoy the décor that made you fall in love with the particular wood species that you have installed in the first place. Moreover, unlike the oil-based finishes, with the waterborne Carver Omeg-Art Floor Lacquer you won’t have to worry about it yellowing over time. The resultant finish effect obtained from the finishing process gets to last for long. Speaking of which, the lacquer is available in different gloss levels including: Semi Gloss, Satin, Matt and Natural Effect. Note that the Natural Effect version is specially meant to be used on light-coloured wood.
- Wide coverage rage
With a litre of product being used on 10-12m² of floor surface you get to reduce the costs that go into the floor treatment process. This, coupled with the savings you make over the long haul from reduced maintenance costs due to the abrasion resistance provided by the treatment, contribute to lowering the overall building maintenance costs.
- Easy to work with
The personnel carrying out the application get a smoother time. For starters, the workability of the product enables one to spread out a uniform coat on the surface. It is also fast drying allowing the process to be carried out much quicker. For floors where the initial coats are not being sanded, then the recoating can be done within 3-6 hours, while for those where there will be sanding then the recoating can be done after 6 hours. It’s also safe to apply since you don’t have to worry about the indoor environment getting choked up with toxic fumes – another reason why such water based finishes are preferred over oil-based alternatives.