Designing With Reclaimed
Return To Blog
Tips on Protecting Your Hardwood Floors for the Holidays
December 5th, 2018
The closer to the holiday season that we get, the more guests we can expect to be staying in our homes. It’s an exciting time of year to spend with family and friends, and your home is likely going to have a lot more traffic than normal. In most places, this time of year is the snowiest and wettest time of the year, which brings the potential for severe damage to your floors. However, there are a few precautions you may take in order to protect your beautiful hardwood from damage.
Utilize Area Rugs and Door Mats
Hardwood flooring is especially susceptible to water damage, as it is a naturally sourced product and will respond to changes in the environment more than other flooring materials. This means it is especially important to have rugs in any areas that might potentially be exposed to water damage; for example, by the sink, in bathrooms, under the dining room table for the accidental spill, and at any entry way to help trap the moisture brought in from outside. Another issue is dirt and debris that may scratch the surface of the finish, so area rugs and runners in high traffic areas are beneficial to prevent any damage to the floors. When placing area rugs, runners, or door mats, be sure to use rugs with a natural backing such as felt, as the rubber-backed rugs may cause discoloration on the surface of the floor.
Ask Guests to Remove Shoes and Place a Boot Tray at the Door
By kindly asking your guests to remove shoes upon entering your home, you will not only prevent dirt and debris from being tracked onto the floor, but you will also prevent any damage from high heeled shoes, or shoes with hard enough soles to damage the flooring. A boot tray is beneficial as it helps prevent wet or snowy shoes from getting water on the floor as they sit to dry. If you don’t want to ask people directly to remove their shoes, you can also consider hanging a polite sign by the boot tray as a friendly reminder.
Prevent Holiday Spill Damage
If you plan on setting up a real, live Christmas tree, ensure that you have a large enough and deep enough water tray underneath to accommodate any spills. There are also various water barriers that can be placed between the water tray and floor as an added layer of protection. Be sure to have plenty of surfaces available at parties to set drinks and plates as accidents are more likely to happen if people have nowhere to set their plates or drinks. If there is a spill, be sure to have a specific hardwood floor mop, rag or paper towels available to quickly clean up any messes.
Be Mindful of Pets
Many people will travel with their animals, and if they are brought into your home on the hardwood floors, there is potential for damaging them. Have towels available by the entrance on snowy or rainy days to wipe off muddy paws and be sure to ask guests to trim their pet’s nails before they visit to prevent any scratches to the flooring. It can also help to have a separate area in a “wet room†that has tile or laminate for guests to keep their pets while they stay.
If your floors suffered damage from the holiday season, Ward Hardwood Flooring can help restore them to their original beauty. Located in Evergreen, Colorado, we specialize in everything related to hardwood flooring; refinishing, wide plank and rustic new installation, and damage repair. Give us a call today at 303-674-6966 and schedule a free estimate, or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com!Â
Utilize Area Rugs and Door Mats
Hardwood flooring is especially susceptible to water damage, as it is a naturally sourced product and will respond to changes in the environment more than other flooring materials. This means it is especially important to have rugs in any areas that might potentially be exposed to water damage; for example, by the sink, in bathrooms, under the dining room table for the accidental spill, and at any entry way to help trap the moisture brought in from outside. Another issue is dirt and debris that may scratch the surface of the finish, so area rugs and runners in high traffic areas are beneficial to prevent any damage to the floors. When placing area rugs, runners, or door mats, be sure to use rugs with a natural backing such as felt, as the rubber-backed rugs may cause discoloration on the surface of the floor.
Ask Guests to Remove Shoes and Place a Boot Tray at the Door
By kindly asking your guests to remove shoes upon entering your home, you will not only prevent dirt and debris from being tracked onto the floor, but you will also prevent any damage from high heeled shoes, or shoes with hard enough soles to damage the flooring. A boot tray is beneficial as it helps prevent wet or snowy shoes from getting water on the floor as they sit to dry. If you don’t want to ask people directly to remove their shoes, you can also consider hanging a polite sign by the boot tray as a friendly reminder.
Prevent Holiday Spill Damage
If you plan on setting up a real, live Christmas tree, ensure that you have a large enough and deep enough water tray underneath to accommodate any spills. There are also various water barriers that can be placed between the water tray and floor as an added layer of protection. Be sure to have plenty of surfaces available at parties to set drinks and plates as accidents are more likely to happen if people have nowhere to set their plates or drinks. If there is a spill, be sure to have a specific hardwood floor mop, rag or paper towels available to quickly clean up any messes.
Be Mindful of Pets
Many people will travel with their animals, and if they are brought into your home on the hardwood floors, there is potential for damaging them. Have towels available by the entrance on snowy or rainy days to wipe off muddy paws and be sure to ask guests to trim their pet’s nails before they visit to prevent any scratches to the flooring. It can also help to have a separate area in a “wet room†that has tile or laminate for guests to keep their pets while they stay.
If your floors suffered damage from the holiday season, Ward Hardwood Flooring can help restore them to their original beauty. Located in Evergreen, Colorado, we specialize in everything related to hardwood flooring; refinishing, wide plank and rustic new installation, and damage repair. Give us a call today at 303-674-6966 and schedule a free estimate, or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com!Â