Limit Salt and Sand Exposure

When snowy or icy conditions exist, salt and sand magically appear on our roads and sidewalks. (Actually, it’s not magic, but you get the idea.) The problem with salt and sand is that they come into the house on our boots and shoes and corrode and scratch hardwood floors. You can limit this issue by putting hefty floor mats at every entrance–or better yet, leave the shoes at the door and wear comfy slippers inside.

Wipe Up Melting Snow and Ice

If someone comes in from the snow and tracks snow, ice, or even mud on the floor (i.e., they don’t take their boots off at the door like a good guest should), the moisture can damage the floors. If there is any salt mixed in with it, the floors can become corroded from it. Have paper towels or cloths on hand to wipe these messes up before they dry. (Same thing if your dog goes outside and tracks snow in before you can wipe its paws.)

Place Runners or Area Rugs in High Traffic Areas

With the holidays comes company—family, friends, gatherings, etc. It can be difficult to control incoming dirt coming in on so many feet, not to mention the occasional spill of something-or-other. To limit damage and create more peace of mind, try temporarily placing area rugs or runners over high-traffic areas of your home.

Create Extra Protection Around Christmas Trees and Fireplaces

Don’t forget—falling sap and needles from live Christmas trees can be murder on wood floors. So can the metal feet of artificial trees. Make sure you protect your floors by laying protective mats under your tree and limiting needle fallout when bringing your tree in and out. Additionally, we use our fireplaces more frequently during the colder months, so don’t forget to lay down a hearth pad or fire-resistant rug to catch stray embers.

Run a Humidifier

Finally, furnaces kicking into high gear during these colder months can dry out the air—and your hardwood floors along with it. An easy way to prevent this from happening is to run a humidifier in your home. This creates atmospheric moisture that will protect the wood from drying out and possibly cracking. (It will make you more comfortable, as well.)

By taking these extra precautions, you’ll have greater peace of mind during the holidays and beyond knowing that your floors are effectively safeguarded from winter. Meanwhile, if you’re thinking of installing wood floors in your home, Renaissance is here to help. For a complimentary estimate in Tulsa, Catoosa, Broken Arrow, Claremore, or other parts of Green Country, give us a call at 918-298-4477.

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How Salt and Sand Can Damage Your Floors

Why is it so important to guard hardwood floors against salt and sand? These elements can damage your floors in a couple of different ways:

• The coarse grains can scratch the floor. When we leave salt or sand on the floor, the grains can scratch the wood and/or the finish when people step on them.
• The chemicals are corrosive. The salts we use on roads have a natural high pH similar to the chemicals we might use to strip a floor of its finish. Ice melt products may also have other chemicals that can cause damage.

Take Steps to Protect the Wood

Most of the time, we can stop salt or sand damage before it ever starts just by taking a few proactive steps. To keep your hardwood floors safe, try the following:

• Leave boots and shoes in a tiled foyer or mudroom. The best way to keep salt from damaging the floor is never to let it get there in the first place. Have family and visitors remove footwear at the entrances to your home, especially in snowy or icy weather.
• Place floor mats at entrances. If removing shoes isn’t your thing, floor mats are the next best thing. They can trap and keep most salt and sand grains before they enter the room. Similarly, try using runners and rugs to cover high traffic areas for more protection.
• Clean floors regularly. If you see sand or salt particles on the floor, get them up quickly with a vacuum or hand vacuum. (You can also use a broom, but be cautious because broom brushes can also grind the salt into the wood.) If snow melt gets on the floors, dab it up with an absorbent cloth or towel.

Cleaning Salt or Ice Melt Stains/Film

If you miss an opportunity to remove salt or ice melt, you may notice a film on the floor when the moisture dries. This generally means the chemical has interacted with the finish and left an alkaline residue. To prevent further damage, try using a slightly moist cloth to clean the residue. If the film returns when the floor dries, try neutralizing the alkaline residue with vinegar mixed with water (one cup of vinegar per gallon). Apply the solution gently using a circular motion, then buff it dry immediately to keep the moisture from seeping into the wood. Always test on an inconspicuous corner first to make sure the vinegar won’t discolor the wood.

If you notice salt damage to your wood floors and have concerns about how to prevent further damage, Renaissance Hardwood Floors can offer solutions. Give us a call at 918-298-4477 or leave us a message here.

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