Do you know what can harm your hardwood floors? No matter where you live, you always want to do your best to prevent lasting damage.
Do you know what can harm your hardwood floors? No matter where you live, you always want to do your best to prevent lasting damage. As the seasons change, it can be hard to tell how your wood floors will react. After it can be hot one day and then cold the next. Here’s a look at what can damage your hardwood.
Excessive Moisture
First of all, too much moisture in your home can affect your hardwood. Water is the enemy of wood. Kitchens, bathrooms, and basements are three places where you can expect a lot of moisture. That’s why most of the time you will see these rooms furnished with other flooring types. But that doesn’t mean you can’t put hardwood floors there; you just need to be more careful. Warping and cupping can ruin your floors, and repairing or replacing them can be more expensive than you will want to afford. That’s why playing it safe is a good idea.
Too Dry
Unfortunately, if your hardwood dries out, then it can also be a huge problem. Too much dryness is a problem, especially when your wood’s natural oils are gone. When wood is too dry, it starts to shrink. Although it will expand again, this leads to another problem – the development of gapping. The gaps in the floors can trip anyone who walks by, and this can cause embarrassing falls and accidental injuries. Plus, insects, rats, mice, mold, and mildew have somewhere to hide and thrive while out of sight.
Foot Traffic
Believe it or not, your floors can be damaged by people walking on them. It’s not as likely if everyone wears socks or slippers while they are inside. Even if they go barefoot, this won’t be as much of a problem. It’s when everyone insists on walking around with shoes on top of your floors that the problem becomes more apparent. Given enough time, all of that pressure can affect the integrity of your floorboards. If the planks supporting the floors start to buckle, then that’s a bad sign.
Bugs and Insects
Finally, you’ll have to keep an eye out for the presence of bugs, insects, and other pests. Termites love to eat wood, but they aren’t the only threat you need to be ready for this season. Other insects can turn your home into a hotel, so don’t let them. It’s time to call the exterminators.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? Trust John K Eareckson & Co.
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co., Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information, visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also look for us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.