Timber floorings add a touch of elegance, warmth, and sophistication to any home or office. Widely available in various styles and varieties, timber floors go well with just about any interior scheme. Plus, they’re also durable, hygienic, and easy to clean. With proper maintenance, a timber floor can be enjoyed by more than one generation of your family.
To ensure that this statement piece will retain its functional integrity and aesthetic appeal for a long time, you need to be consistent in giving it the care it needs. How often do you need to clean your floors, and when is the best time to find a company that specialises in timber floor polishing in Melbourne? Here’s a detailed guide on how you should maintain your timber floors.
Working with New Timber Flooring
Pre-finished timber floors don’t require special treatment post-installation. However, floors that are coated on-site will need a resting time of at least 48 hours, with some lasting to a few weeks, depending on the coating and weather conditions. Allowing the coat to fully harden before use minimises the instance of scuffing and scratching.
After the coat has cured, you can begin putting rugs and other floor elements, but avoid rugs with rubber backing as these can stain the coating. Protective pads should be attached to the feet of light furniture such as dining chairs. Moving around heavy furniture like sofas and fridges should also be done carefully for the same reason. If the furniture is light enough, move it by lifting it instead of dragging it; if dealing with heavy furniture, move it across the room by putting it on sheets of MDF in between lifting it. Avoid putting furniture directly on the floor, as this can result in scratches.
Regular Cleaning
It’s important to sweep daily. This gets rid of abrasive materials like sand and grit, which can damage timber floors. Vacuum your floor every week to get rid of the dust beneath your rugs and furniture, as well as the debris trapped between the wheels of moving furniture. Every other week or once a month, you can also mop the floor using a mop dampened with a pH neutral wood floor cleaner. If your floor has a glossy finish, you may need to dry it using a towel to avoid water marks.
Clean up spills as soon as possible, especially if there’s broken glass on the floor. Aside from causing injury, this material can also damage both coating and timber. At the same time, avoid walking around the room while wearing stiletto heels or sports shoes. It’s best to leave your shoes in the doorway and use indoor slippers. Finally, steam cleaning should be avoided as this can cause some coating types to peel, further damaging your floor.
Periodic Thorough Maintenance
Regardless of how well you take care of your timber flooring, you’ll need to have it sanded and polished periodically to keep it looking its best. These require the use of a floor sander and reapplication of floor finishes. Some people prefer to do their own sanding and polishing, but because it’s easy to make a mistake while carrying out these tasks, most people leave it to professionals who have their own equipment and tools.
How you maintain your timber floors is dependent on the coating. Oil coatings are more prone to scratches, but they are also easily reparable. Solvent and water-based polyurethanes are more resistant to damage, but they also can’t be patch-coated. Oil-based coating should be patch-coated 1 to 3 times a year, while polyurethane coating need to be recoated every 3 years or so.
Without doubt, installing timber flooring in your home is an investment. But with enough care and periodic maintenance, this investment will pay for itself by beautifying your home and improving the value of your property for many years.