Simple Solutions for Summer Floors
As seasons change, wood floors do, too! Wood is a natural resource and alters at different points in the year. Throughout the year when temperatures reach highs and lows, wood floors need extra TLC. With summer upon us, it is essential for wood floor owners to be even more attentive so their floors stay in excellent condition. Here are some simple solutions for summer floor care.
Throughout the fluctuations in weather, wood expands and shrinks. The humidity in the summertime can cause wood to expand, and potentially makes the wood concave in, or cup. Cupping is the reaction a wood floor endures when exposed to a change in moisture content. Cupping results in permanent damage; sanding will not fix this issue. One preventative measure includes keeping the house cool with a steady air conditioner during the warmer months, to prevent building too much moisture. A dehumidifier is another appliance that extracts moisture from the air. Dehumidifiers not only keep wood floors healthy but also keep the home healthy by helping prevent mildew. A great tool for calculating humidity in the home is a hygrometer! Hygrometers are low-cost instruments used to measure the humidity or amount of water vapor residing in the air. Keeping wood floors looking beautiful only requires time and effort, and is very affordable when cared for correctly!
Moisture Testing Accuracy Tips
Another nuisance the summer brings along for wood floors is… more sand and dirt!!! Sand and dirty are pesky, difficult to clean, and can ultimately do damage to wood floors. We know this feeling all too well at Goodwin; being a sawmill, it is exceptionably easy to drag sand everywhere! We recommend vacuums with a soft brush, or even backpack vacuums to avoid scratches (we use one in our showroom!). Afterward, mopping with little water and proper wood floor cleaners gives off a rich, new appearance. A little goes a long way!
You can read more about seasonal changes in wood floors, here:
https://heartpine.com/seasonal-changes-in-wood-floors/
