4 Things To Protect Flooring From in the Winter

Hardwood flooring is a beautiful investment for your home, but because it can be expensive, you want to take good care of this upgrade to extend its longevity. Unfortunately, winter weather often wreaks havoc on various elements of your home, including hardwood floors. Here are four things you need to protect your flooring from this winter if you want to keep it in good shape.

1. Ice and salt

During the winter, the roads in Brantford are often treated with salt to make them safer for travel. You’ll probably track ice and salt into your home on a regular basis, and although you may not think that they can damage your hardwood flooring if you make an effort to clean them up immediately, they often scratch your floorboards. The coarse material is notorious for leaving marks on hardwood flooring, so it is best to have a mat at every door of your home for people to wipe their feet before entering.

2. Gaps

It’s no secret that cold winter air is dry. However, you may not know that dry air affects the condition of your hardwood flooring. When the humidity drops, it strips the moisture out of your floorboards, which causes them to shrink. You may notice small gaps around the floorboards in your house. Running a humidifier can combat dry air, but remember that you may need to refill it frequently to combat the full effects of winter.

3. Water

Excess moisture causes the boards in hardwood flooring to warp. Standing water can cause significant damage to your hardwood flooring, so it is best to clean up any spills immediately when they happen. If the water is the result of melted snow, there is also a good chance that it contains some debris that could call your flooring to lose some of its shine. Mopping and sweeping your floors regularly is the best way to preserve the shine and minimize water damage.

4. Pets and Kids

If you have pets or kids, you are probably used to them tracking up your hardwood floors with mud and dirt during the spring and summer months. Fortunately, mud and dirt are easy to clean on hardwood flooring with a mop and a broom. However, in the winter, you have to worry about your kids and pets tracking snow into the house. When the snow melts, it could damage your hardwood flooring if it is not cleaned up quickly. Teach your kids to remove any excess snow that has accumulated on their shoes while they play outside. You can also make it a habit to let your pets out through a single door in your laundry room or garage if possible. Having a mat in front of each door also helps reduce the amount of snow that pets and kids track into your house.

Get Help Installing Hardwood Floors

Installing hardwood floors is not an easy project. You need certain tools to lay the flooring correctly, and you need the right experience if you want to ensure that you are happy with the final result. If you want to upgrade your home with new flooring, it’s best to call a professional for help. Handyman Connection has a team of craftsmen who have experience laying various types of flooring. In addition to tile and laminate floors, we also install hardwood flooring to help you achieve the beautiful, timeless aesthetic you want in your home. We perform jobs quickly and efficiently, and you never have to worry about us leaving before you are completely satisfied with the project.

Schedule a Consultation Today

If you’re interested in investing in new flooring in Brantford, Handyman Connection is ready to help make your vision come to life. Our expert craftsmen have the experience needed to lay beautiful hardwood flooring and help it last for many years. Contact us today to get an estimate on hardwood flooring in Brantford.