HARD
SURFACE FLOORING
Caring for your Hardwood or Laminate Flooring:
If you have hardwood or laminate flooring here are some
suggestions to help you maintain your investment.
Never clean your hardwood floor with water.
Do not use any wax or cleaner that needs to be mixed with
water. Water can dull the surface and permanently damage
your floor. Use a floor cleaner and mop specifically designed
for hardwood floors.
Before putting furniture on hardwood floors, attach adequate
floor protection (felt pads) to the feet of all furniture
to reduce scratches and dents.
It is very important to maintain relative air humidity levels
in the house of 45% – 55% throughout the year. A humidifier
is needed to prevent excessive shrinkage in floors in winter
time when homes are heated and air is dry. A dehumidifier,
or air conditioner, is recommended to prevent expanding
and, therefore, cupping of wood floors.
Laminate floors do not require such strict humidity control
but extreme variations in humidity levels increases the
stress on the joints and can lead to joint failure, producing
gaps. Although most laminates today have some form of moisture
guard, water is its worst enemy. Mop up any spills promptly.
Exposure to sunlight can slightly change the shade of your
floors. Rearrange your rugs and furniture periodically to
avoid shade variations on your floors.
Use area rugs in heavily travelled areas, especially if
you have a large family. Place rugs at all entrances, as
well as by the kitchen sink and dishwasher. Avoid using
rubber, or foam back carpets as they may discolour the floor.
Use a special underlay made for slip resistance to protect
your floors from the carpet backing.
Never place potted plants directly in contact with hardwood
floors, even if they are put in waterproof saucers. Condensation
can develop under these containers and damage your floor.
To avoid this, place your plants on stands that will allow
air to circulate underneath.
Sweep or vacuum (with brush attachment only) as often as
required to remove lose dirt or grit before it can scratch
and damage your floor. Wipe up spills as soon as possible
before they get sticky or dry. Remove dried spills with
a cloth dampened with wood floor cleaner. Wood and water
do not mix so never wet mop a wood floor.
Dents, scratches etc., are unfortunately something that
all hard surfaces suffer from. There are scratch removers
available to disguise regular wear and tear. Stain pens,
available at do-it-yourself centres, are very handy as well.
Should a board be damaged beyond repair Harmony can replace
damaged boards if matching material is available. It is
always helpful to keep a few leftover boards.
With a little care and maintenance your investment will
age gracefully. Please feel free to contact Harmony should
you have any questions not addressed in this maintenance
overview.
