Do you know that the EPA has advised homeowners to make sure the relative humidity in their home is between 30% to 50% if they want to maintain quality indoor air?
And guess what? Any reputable wood flooring company will also tell you that this relative humidity level is good for your floors. Especially if you’re using hardwood floors in your home.
This is because, during winter, you may notice that your hardwood floors will begin to contract and form gaps between floorboards. That’s why you need the expert tips to help you prevent this from happening to your wood floors during winter.
Join us in this blog post, and let's explore the effects of winter on your hardwood floors. We’ll also show you some expert tips to keep them looking their best during the winter.
Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Key Highlights
- The cold weather can affect your wood floors.
- You should clean your wood floors every day and use mats at places where people usually move around. This will help to prevent salt and snow from entering inside your wood floors.
Understanding the Impact of Winter on Wood Floors
Winter comes with a lot of fun and celebrations, but it can also affect the durability of your hardwood flooring. This is because your hardwood floor is a natural material, and changes in temperature and humidity levels can affect it.
For instance, when there’s a low humidity level outside and heat inside, it makes your wood lose moisture. It doesn’t just stop there. This loss creates problems such as shrinkage, gaps, and cracks.
Did you know that even the road salt, snow, and ice you bring into your home can also damage the surface of your wood floors? The stain affects the luster of your wood floors and can also lead to costly repairs in the future.
We are not done yet. Let’s show you how a reputable wood flooring company explained all this.
How cold weather affects wood flooring
Your hardwood floors are hygroscopic. This means that they’ll naturally take in moisture and release it according to the temperature in your environment.
For instance, during winter, you’ll turn on your heating systems so that the air inside your home will be warm. This makes your hardwood floor lose moisture and begin to contract.
When your hardwood starts to contract, you’ll start noticing gaps in your planks, and this is not good for your solid hardwood flooring. All these are because of the difference between your indoor and outdoor humidity levels.
A reputable wood flooring company knows this. That’s why they provide homeowners with winter-proof tips and services to help them prevent their hardwood floors from expanding or contracting.
How Snow, Salt, and Moisture Damage Your Wood Floors
When people bring in snow, ice, and salt through their shoes and boots, it can affect how long your solid wood flooring lasts. Here’s something you should know: Salt, in particular, is abrasive.
This means that it can scratch your floor surface and ruin the appearance of the floor. That’s not all. You may also notice white marks and damage on your hard floor. This is because of the salt residue that wasn’t cleaned properly.
When snow and ice melt on your wood floor, the extra moisture goes into the wood. This is not good for your wood floors as it causes warping, buckling, and even mold growth. That’s why you should address these issues on time to prevent your floors from damaging in the future.
So, make sure you properly clean any spill or wet spots on your floor immediately. You should also ensure you use quality hard floor cleaners that are recommended by a reputable wood flooring company.
Don’t try to use strong chemicals for your hard floor cleaning. It makes your wood floors weak and affects its longevity.
Essential Winter Care for Wood Floors
You need to take care of your hardwood floors during winter so that it will last long. The process is very easy. You just need to be consistent with it.
With the right wood flooring company tips, you can prevent major issues on your floors and ensure they look their best year-round. Here are some important tips you should know:
Daily cleaning tips to remove salt and grit
Daily cleaning is the first line of defense against the damaging effects of winter on your hardwood floors.
If you regularly remove dirt, salt, and grime on your floor surface, you’ll prevent residues from building up on your floors. Implementing the following tips can make a world of difference:
- Sweep or vacuum regularly: You should start by sweeping with a broom or vacuuming areas in your home like entryways and hallways every day. This helps to remove salt, dirt, and other debris. When you want to use your vacuum, get a brush attachment or use the hard floor setting so that you won’t leave scratches.
- Use a dust mop: When you finish sweeping, use a dry mop or dust mop to remove any remaining dust and particle.
- Damp-mop sparingly: If you need a steam mop, make sure you use a cleaning solution that is good for your hardwood floors. Don’t pour water on your floors, as too much moisture can damage the wood.
The importance of mats and rugs
You can also decide to put mats and rugs in places that people usually walk on in your home. They’ll be like your winter floor protectors to prevent dirt, moisture, and salt brought in from outside from entering inside your clean hardwood floors.
When you want to buy a mat, make sure they are absorbent mats. These types of mats absorb melting snow and ice from shoes or boots.
You can also put rugs in areas where you feel that spills can occur. For instance, under your dining tables or in kitchens. This will add an extra layer of protection to your floors.
Selecting the right kind of floor sealant for winter
Do you know that floor sealants are one of the best ways to keep your hardwood floors safe from the harsher winter months?
When you use a sealant with high durability, it will provide an extra coat of finish to your wood floors. It also helps to prevent moisture, salt damage, and wear.
However, it’s not just about applying a high-quality floor sealant. You need to know the type of finish on your hardwood floors. This will help you to get the right sealant for your floors. Here’s a table to help you make an informed decision.
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Type of finish |
Recommended sealant types |
|
Surface finish |
Water-based polyurethane or oil-based polyurethane |
|
Penetrating finish |
Hardwax oil or finishing oil |
Get Advice From a Professional Wood Flooring Company
It’s also important to get advice from a reputable wood flooring company like Master of Floors. They’ll give you important tips that will help you ensure your hardwood floors survive the winter and last for years.
So, if you’re looking for a professional wood flooring company in Arizona, then, Master of Floors is the right choice for you.
We can also provide you with proper maintenance for your wood floors. Even if you want to put a new floor in your home, we’ll give you the best services at affordable rates. Reach out to us now.