A cared for
hardwood floor will withstand the rigors of use and gracefully
patina over time. Proper cleaning and recoating are key components
of your floors longevity. We make available both the service of deep
cleaning and re-coating (Normally a 1 day service) and the products
which clean without harming and protect against avoidable damage.
Wear Signs:
Dull section of floor area
Exposed or bare wood
Visible discoloration or damage
Non-responsive to normal cleaning
2-3 years in high traffic area since last urethane coating
Warping or water staining
By recognizing the early signs of wear, we can replenish your
floors protective urethane coating through its one day deep cleaning
and recoating service and put back your floors original shine.
Hardwood
floors are among the easiest to keep clean. Protect their warmth and
character with simple, everyday cleaning techniques.
It’s important to know
how to prevent damage to your solid hardwood floors.
Prevention
Dirt & Grit :
Dirt, grit and sand
are your hardwood floor’s worst enemies.
They act like sandpaper
on the finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling. Place floor
mats at entrances to trap dirt and prevent damage.
Water and other spills
:Standing
water can warp a poorly finished hardwood floor and can damage the
finish. Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.
Hard Cleaners :
Avoid oil soaps.
They can build up and create problems when it’s time to put a
maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made
specifically for wood floors are recommended.
Furniture :
Lift the furniture to
move it, avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help
prevent scratches.
Dents :
Vacuum with a brush
attachment, don’t use vacuums with beater bars.
Sun :
Direct sun can discolor
your hardwood floors. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes
to protect from the sun’s intense UV rays.
Regular Care
Sweep :
Brooms with fine,
exploded ends trap dust and grit effectively.
Vacuum :
Canister vacuums with
special bare floor attachments are the surest way to get rid of all
the dirt and dust.
Dust Mop :
Use a good dust mop,
one with a 12- to 18- inch cotton head and a special dust mop
treatment. Spray the treatment onto the mop head 12 to 24 hours
before dust mopping.
Surface Finishes:
(pre-finished floors, polyurethane, water-based urethane and
catalyzed)
Nearly all floors
installed today have surface finishes, mostly polyurethane. They are
often glossy and may look like a layer of clear plastic on top of
the wood. A small amount of paint remover in an inconspicuous area
of the floor will cause the surface finish to bubble (unless it is a
water-based urethane, in which case there will be no reaction).
Surface finishes shield floors from harm by forming a protective
layer on top of the wood.
Penetrating Seals:
(acrylics,
oils and waxes)
Oils and waxes usually
have a satin or matte finish. If you can feel the wood grain when
you run your hand across the surface, it's most likely a penetrating
seal. Paint remover will have no effect on a penetrating seal, but
wax stripper or ammonia will soften and whiten the surface. Oils and
waxes penetrate the surface of the floor protecting the wood from
within.
American Hardwoods: Renewing, Abundant and
Sustainable: American hardwoods have entered their fourth century of
providing beauty and authenticity, warmth and integrity, lasting aesthetic and
functional value to interiors. For floors, furniture, moldings, millwork,
cabinetry and built-ins, they are quintessentially green materials in abundant
and self-renewing supply. Read More
