A: The Hardwood flooring products we use in Phoenix are an excellent choice for easy maintenance and long-lasting beauty.
- Cleaning your hardwood floor is simple – dirt and dust are easily removed with a vacuum featuring a hard-surface attachment, beater bar turned off or a broom. Grit control is your best defense to keep a wood floor looking great for many years.
- For more difficult-to-remove soil, use a cloth moistened very lightly with plain water. Then wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth. Under no circumstances should the floor EVER be wet-mopped.
- Heavier stains, such as crayon, felt-tip markers, etc., may be removed with a standard wood floor cleaner designed for urethane finished products.
- The Hardwood flooring needs no special treatment. Never use soap solutions, sealers, polishes, or any abrasive materials.
- Protect the flooring in high traffic areas and from excessive tracking of outside dirt and soil with walk-off mats at all entrances. Rubber mats are to be avoided as they may oxidize the finish which could result in discoloration.
- Hardwood is a natural product that is affected by light. Rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to help minimize the effect that sunlight and direct lighting can have on the color of the hardwood floor.
- Use quality floor protectors, such as felt pads, beneath furniture legs to help protect the flooring surface. Rolling wheels are to be avoided or be a minimum of 1” wide and be of a soft material. Hard plastic, metal or domed wheels will damage any wood floor.
- The Hardwood fFooring we use is best maintained in a balanced room climate with 30-50% relative humidity at normal room temperature (60-80 degree Fahrenheit).
- Chemical spills such as acids, alkalis or petrochemicals should be removed. The floor should then be cleaned with a wood cleaner and dried with a soft absorbent cloth to prevent any residue from remaining on the flooring surface.
Q: What do I do to remove scratches in my wood floor
A: This really depends on the type of wood floor you have, the finish you have and how deep the scratches are in the top layer. For small minor scratches in a urethane finish you should be able to order a touch-up kit from the store you purchased the flooring from. Be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended finish products and test first by applying a small amount in an out of the way area. For deep scratches you will probably have to have a professional do a screen and recoat. This is where they use special sanding screens to lightly abrade the floor’s finish to help the new urethane bond better to the existing finish. With some wood floors you may be able to just replace the damaged boards. It is best to leave the sand and recoat, or board replacement to a professional flooring installer, or refinisher.
Q: Can I install a hardwood floor if I have pets?
A: Although many homeowners have pets, hardwood flooring is not designed for the abuse a dog or cat can cause on a floor. Urine may permanently discolor the finish of the wood floor and large dogs’ claws will probably leave scratches in the finish. The type of wood floor you buy, the color and the finish will also be factor in how much punishment the floor’s finish can withstand before showing scratches and excessive wear.
Q: Can I use throw rugs on my hardwood floor?
A: Before using any throw rugs on your wood floor you should know the type of finish you have on the floor. All rugs should be non-staining, meaning the colored dyes will not bleed. Generally in the presence of moisture, some dyes used in rugs may bleed through onto your floor and discolor the wood floors surface. Also, be sure the rug does not have a rough backing material that may scratch the surface of the floor. Clean dirt and debris from under the rug regularly. To prevent possible shading of the wood underneath the rug, move the rug occasionally.
