A & T Hardwood Flooring

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Floor Care Tips

 How to Care for Hardwood Floors

Knowing how to clean hardwood floors is very important. Gravel and dirt is the bane of hardwood floors. Even fine dirt such as indoor plant soil can scratch and mark the floor if not removed promptly. Hardwood floor care may be more work but if someone in your household has allergies, then hardwood floors makes life much more breathable. Therefore, sweeping and dusting is a regular once a week routine, or after any event that leaves dirt and grit behind.


What Not To Do:
  1. Use regular household dusting and cleaning products. They will cause permanent damage. Use only products specifically designed for hardwood.
  2. Use water to mop the floors, this will definitely cause permanent damage. You can use a damp cloth to wipe up spills but never pour water directly on the floor to mop the floor.
  3. Don't use ammonia
  4. Never use wax on a floor with a urethane or other glossy finish.
  5. Don't drag furniture when moving it - use felt contacts under furniture legs to prevent scratches and gouges.
  6. DO NOT USE PINSOL OR MURPHY"S OIL ON YOUR FLOORS ! ! !

Prevent & Protect Hardwood Floors

  1. Vacuuming is preferable to sweeping because it allows the dirt and dust to be pulled from between the boards. Use a vacuum with a bare floor attachment, not a vacuum beater bar, which can damage the wood.
  2. Use sheers or blinds to protect your floors from the discoloration caused by direct sun rays.
  3. Keep high-heeled shoes in good repair and avoid using stiletto heels or just remember to always remove shoes at the front door. Keep a pair of slippers so that you can easily walk from the front door to another room.
  4. Keep nails trimmed on pets.
  5. Use cotton area rugs and mats in high traffic areas and sites of frequent spills. Move the rugs frequently so that these areas of the floor remain the same color as the exposed floor.
  6. Rubber and vinyl mats and rugs trap water under them.
  7. Clean up spills immediately with a paper towel or dry cloth. A damp cloth can be used for sticky spills, but dry the spot immediately afterwards.

 

Types of Surface Finishes

Oil-modified polyurethane is easy to apply solvent-base polyurethane that dries in about eight hours. Gives wood floors depth and richness; protects them from heavy traffic, dirt and spills 4 Can be used over stain, sealer or alone for a natural look 4 Durable and transparent; available in satin, gloss or semi-gloss 4 Easy to maintain.

Water-based urethane finishes are clear and non-yellowing. They have a milder odor and dry in about two to three hours. A quick drying water-based floor finish can be re-coated in one to two hours.
4 Won`t yellow over time; ideal for white, pastel or bleached floors 4 Low odor 4 Complies with strict environmental air quality regulations 4 Available in gloss and satin.

Conversion varnish dries clear to slight amber and is durable. These finishes have an extremely strong odor and should be applied by the highly skilled flooring professional.

Stain and Wax - This finish soaks into the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin sheen. It is generally maintained with solvent-based (never water-based) waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning liquids (specifically made for wax-finished wood floors and an additional thin application of wax as needed.

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