Timber flooring is an asset to any property & your timber floor will benefit greatly from regular care in order to get the most out of your investment, keep your floor looking its best & wearing well.
The frequency of care will depend on your selected coating & the regularity & severity of the areas use, however, the below routine maintenance measures are recommended to assist in keeping timber floors in pristine condition.
JOB SITE STORAGE
Timber is a reasonably resilient material, but bad handling & poorly organised storage on job sites could potentially lead to damage & wastage.
In order to maintain correct moisture content, physical appearance & discourage any splitting, decaying or discolouration, it is important to store timber products correctly prior to construction.
The packaging around Timber products is designed to protect it during transport only. Store timber products under adequate cover that not only protects the product from weather but is also well ventilated to prevent condensation.
You must always stack timber on a solid, flat surface with even supports & level packers to prevent warping, bowing, sagging, or touching the ground.
MAINTENANCE
EXCESS WEAR & SCRATCHING
- Softwood decking & flooring is more susceptible to dents & scratches than denser hardwood alternatives. Therefore grit, sand & dirt that can act like sandpaper is one of its enemies. Placing mats both outside & inside of external doors provides a simple & effective means of significantly reducing grit from entering your house, thus reducing the chances of excess wear & scratching to your timber floor surface. Similarly, in high wear areas, small rugs & hall runners are also helpful.
- Fit protective felt pads to furniture legs to reduce the risk of scuffing the floor when moved.
- Pets with long nails or claws can scratch & dull the floor finish, make sure pets nails or claws are trimmed regularly & kept blunt.
- Remove shoes that have exposed heels with sharp points to avoid potential damage to a hardwood timber floor.
HEAT & MOISTURE
- Water can significantly damage timber flooring so any spills should be mopped up immediately & any leaks investigated without delay.
- In areas where extreme temperature changes or moisture variation are common, gaps or cupping may appear in the floor. Maintain an ambient temperature to avoid dryness that may cause gaps, & moisture increases that may cause cupping.
- Direct & intense sunlight can contribute to gapping & possible cupping of boards. Timber board finishes also fade, darken or changes shade over time & sunlight will increases this process. Where possible you can filter sunlight through sheer curtains or blinds as a means to slow this colour change process & effectively control gap size & possible cupping. Alternatively, using floor rugs & rotating them periodically can help to protect your floor.
CLEANING
- Regularly sweep high traffic areas with an antistatic mop. These provide the most gentle & effective means of collecting grit & dust. Where vacuum cleaners are used, you should regularly inspect & confirm the ongoing softness of the bristles. Steam mops are not recommended.
- Timber floor cleaners are available to remove scuff marks & stubborn stains, however you should always give preference to the cleaner recommended by the coating manufacturer.
- You should always avoid, harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners, steam mops & over wetting a floor when cleaning.
- A monthly damp mopping of your timber floor using a PH neutral floor cleaner or product recommended by the finish manufacturer, provides an effective, deep clean. Make sure that after wetting the mop, you wring it out until it is moist only.
