To a single-family rental home, a hardwood floor can add beauty and value. However, if your rental home has hardwood floors, you must take particular care to maintain their condition. Regular maintenance is essential. Frequently, tenants can be very rough on hardwood floors, gouging and scratching them unintentionally or out of ignorance.
Proper hardwood floor maintenance is one of the most effective methods for preserving the functionality and aesthetic allure of the hardwood floors in your Manchester rental property. However, it is necessary to comprehend proper hardwood floor maintenance. For instance, the majority of hardwood floors include surface coatings that help safeguard the wood against liquid spills, scratches, and other types of harm. Maintaining this condition is the most effective way to extend the life of your floor.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoid using abrasive or aggressive cleaners on hardwood floors as they may harm the finish or remove the sealer that serves as protection. Utilize pH-neutral or specially formulated cleaners that are safe for wood surfaces and pH-neutral for hardwood floors. Harsh cleaning chemicals and improper cleaning methods can damage hardwood. Experts advise using a soft microfiber mop or towel to sweep dirt and dust off the floor. Normal mops use too much water, which also has the potential to damage a hardwood floor, and vacuum cleaners can scratch the surface.
Avoid Excessive Moisture or Sunlight
Due to the susceptibility of hardwood surfaces to damage from moisture, it is essential to avoid puddles of water and other liquids. Any spills should be cleaned up right away to stop them from harming the wood by soaking in. Instead of saturating the floor with water, use a barely damp mop to clean it. Additionally, excessive direct sunlight can cause hardwood floors to lose their color. To prevent overexposure, filter sunlight with draperies, blinds, or window films.
Regular Cleaning and Preventative Measures
Working with your tenants to maintain the hardwood flooring in your rental property is one of the best ways to preserve its pristine appearance. One of the first steps you should take is to instruct your tenant on the appropriate care and cleaning of the hardwood floors. By teaching them how to properly care for the hardwood, you can extend its life and preserve its elegance while also preventing damage.
Ask tenants to put rugs or mats down in the entrances and other high-traffic areas to prevent dirt and grit from being tracked into the hardwood floors. Consider using felt cushions or furniture coasters under the legs of furniture to prevent scratching or denting the surface when rearranging or moving items.
Periodic Maintenance
Even with meticulous preservation, hardwood floors require periodic or between-tenancy maintenance. Over time, wear and stress can cause the finish of a floor to deteriorate and acquire scratches and other flaws. You probably won’t need to completely refinish the floor if that’s all that there is, though. The majority of the time, a screening, which roughens the surface of the existing finish, and a new application of finish are sufficient to restore a fading hardwood floor. Repairing and refinishing may be your only option if your hardwood floor has become severely damaged, warped, has deep scratches, or has other problems. Refinishing a floor requires time, specialized devices, and the assistance of professionals.
Taking care of hardwood floors does not have to be difficult, but it does require additional planning and encouragement to enlist your tenant’s assistance. However, by sustaining positive tenant relations, they are more likely to assist you in maintaining the best possible condition for your priceless hardwood floor.
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