Minneapolis Hardwood Flooring

Minneapolis Flooring specializes in hardwood repair and installation. We can give you the hardwood floors you've been dreaming of at a great price. Hardwood floors are very durable and a very nice way to add personality and value to your home.

Hardwood flooring can be vulnerable in a few ways. Minneapolis Flooring recommends these guidelines in order to keep your floor looking fantastic for many years.

Humidity

Wood floors will respond to humidity level changes in the home. This is especially true in the winter. A humidifier could help but will not be a permanent solution. Even with a humidifier, noticeable changes will take place.

New Wood Floors

Wood floors will show the following traits:

• While new, small splinters of wood will show; dimples or scratches can occur while moving furniture, or dropping heavy or sharp objects.
• Shrinkage or warping can occur; primarily near heat vents, heaters, or appliances that get hot.
• Warping will occur if the floor repeatedly gets wet or is thoroughly soaked once.
• High traffic areas will likely lead to a dulling of the finish; a white, filmy appearance is caused by moisture (often by wet shoes or boots).

Preventative maintenance should be the primary goal for the daily care of hardwood floors.

Spills

Spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible, while using a dry cloth. Use a vinegar and warm water solution for tough food spills.

Shoes

Minneapolis Flooring recommends that you don't wear high heals on your hardwood floors. Heels that are missing their protective cap can exert over 8,000 pounds of pressure per square inch on the floor.

Mats

Use protective mats by doors that lead to the outside in order to prevent sand and grit from getting on the floor.

Yellowing and Warping

Yellowing and warping can be caused by the rubber backing on area rugs and mats.

Furniture Legs

Install proper floor protectors on furniture used on hardwood floors. These will allow chairs to move easily without scuffing. Make sure to keep the protectors clean in order to remove any grit that may accumulate.

Cleaning

Hardwood floors should be swept on a daily basis as needed. It is not advised to wet mop a hardwood floor. Excessive water makes wood expand, which could damage the wood. If the floor gets wet, mop it with a mixture of one cup vinegar to one gallon of water. As you mop, make sure to remove excess water from the mop.

Waxing

We do not encourage waxing or using products like Murphy's Oil. Soap is also not recommended. Once a polyurethane finished floor is waxed, it is very hard to re-coat it, because the new finish will not bond to the wax. Also, if wax is used, you must keep on waxing the floor. Instead, we encourage preventative cleaning and annual screening in order to maintain the desired level of luster.

Recoating

Recoating is much less expensive and easier to do than re-sanding. Recoating removes minor surface scratches and dirt that has fallen deep into the surface of the finish. If areas have been neglected too long and the finish is worn, then resanding is required. Floors should be recoated every year or every ten years (depending on wear). We recommend recoating start at 10 years for one person and subtract two years for each additional person or large pet living in the house.

Gapping

Minnesota is not an easy state for hardwood floors, because the humidity dramatically rises in the summer and steeply falls in the winter. Minor gaps in your hardwood will appear in the winter and the floor might swell in the summer. It is normal for this to happen.

Call us today for more information.