Bay Area Hardwood Floor Restoration and Repair
Maybe your Bay Area hardwood floors got coated with grime after a boisterous family summer party. Or maybe the new home you just purchased needs quite a bit of repairs. In either case, here’s a thumbnail guide to help you care effectively for hardwood floors.
Step one: identify the nature of the sealant (if any). Dozens of chemicals, products, and treatments can be applied to wood, including: urethane, polyurethane, penetrating seals, oil finishes, shellacs, varnishes, lacquers, and beyond. The degree of treatment can also matter. Some floors are untreated or nearly so, while others contain thick heavy treatments.
If you don’t know whether your hardwood floors are sealed, smear your finger on the floor. If there is no smudge, you can be pretty sure that it’s sealed with polyacrylic, polyurethane or urethane. If a smudge appears, the floor was likely lacquered, varnish, shellacked or oil-finished.
Step two: pick appropriate products for the type of hardwood. Certain products — like highly basic or alkaline cleansers, waxes, oils, and furniture sprays — can create residues or even etch the wood itself. You could inadvertently create problems and damage the floor.
Step three: establish a cleaning process based on: the amount of wear and tear your floors get; the type of protection that’s been applied; how quickly debris, allergens, and dust settles; and your own personal cleanliness standards.
Step four: match the type of cleaning to the type of wood and finish used. For instance, if your floors are surface-filled with polyurethane or polyacrylic, use a damp mop to remove dirt and residue. But if your floors are shellacked, lacquered or oil treated, damp mopping can actually damage the wax!
Step five: consider getting your floors professionally cleaned (and potentially resurfaced or re-waxed) once or twice a year, depending on traffic conditions at your home and other factors.
Get in touch with the team here at Elegant Floors through our online contact form or by calling us at (650) 961-1339 today. We can help you manage your current cleaning needs and establish an excellent maintenance process.
