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Care & Maintenance

Wood Floor Care Instructions – Pre-finished Floors

MOVING OF FURNITURE
FLOOR PROTECTORS
SWEEPING
MOPPING
WATER AND WOOD
SPECIAL CLEANING
WAX OR MURPHYS OIL SOAP
SCUFFS & SCRATCHES
HIGH-HEEL MARKS
EXPANSION CRACKS
CUPPING OF BOARDS
PROTECTION FROM OTHER SUBCONTRACTORS

MOVING OF FURNITURE

Place Furniture down, do not scoot or slide. When moving the Refrigerator onto finished Floor use quarter inch plywood or Masonite to protect floor, heavy Cardboard does not always allow enough protection.

FLOOR PROTECTORS

Villagio Madera has available “Scoot-N-Glides” made for wooden chair legs, to protect the wood flooring from being scratched. Also, available is a thick felt for other types of chair legs. “Scoot-n-Glides” need to rest flat on the floor for optimum protection. IF chair legs are cut at an angle, the glide can do damage to the floor.

SWEEPING

For maximum life and wear ability of floor finish, keep floor as clean as possible of all substances that can scratch floors such as sand, gravel, etc. This can be accomplished by daily sweeping with floor brush sweeper attachment, dust mopping or broom sweeping.

MOPPING

Harsh alkali cleaners may damage the finish and/or floor and should not be used. Clean floors with a slightly dampened mop using one gallon of lukewarm water with one cup white vinegar. A small area at a time wiped dry as you go will give the best results. Do not allow water to stand on floor and use little water as possible. The “water/vinegar solution” will remove accumulated grease and sticky substances not removed by dry dust mopping or vacuuming. Remove food spills and other various liquids as quickly as possible with a dry or a damp cloth

WATER AND WOOD

NEVER use excessive amounts of water on wood floors. Even though urethane products are very water resistant, water can sweep into open cracks, causing the finish to break loose from the wood, resulting in white spots, chipping or peeling. Remember, water is an enemy of wood flooring, do not use excessive amounts.

SPECIAL CLEANING

To remove grease, rubber heal marks or similar stubborn stains which might remain after a normal cleaning with “vinegar/water solution”, wipe with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Make sure that excessive amounts of fluid used for cleaning are not deposited on the floor. (Use rubber gloves)

WAX OR MURPHYS OIL SOAP

Do not wax floors-no paste wax- no endust- and no Murphys Oil Soap. Once the finish has been applied to the wood there is a protective coating over the wood, and these products will lie on the top of finish dulling the appearance and catching the dirt. They will keep an additional coat of finish from being applied should it ever be necessary.

SCUFFS & SCRATCHES

Bear in mind all surfaces even concrete will scratch. Toenails on dogs can have a scratching effect on the finish, be careful to keep the toenails trimmed.

HIGH-HEEL MARKS

Since wood is a product of mother nature, a high degree of pressure from a concentrated point like a high heel can crush the wood fibers leaving a “small indention” in the floor. The quality of the finish has no bearing as far as strengthening the wood fibers.

EXPANSION CRACKS

The weather plays a part in this area. Since the wood is susceptible to the humidity in the air, natural wood fibers will pull moisture causing the wood to expand in spring and summer months. During the winter months when the house is dry, there will be “shrinking” effect in the width of the boards. A humidifier will help stabilize this condition. Wood floors need to be able expand and contract with temperature and humidity. “Expansion-Cracks” from summer to winter are a natural trait of wood floors.

CUPPING OF BOARDS

Should the individual boards “Cup” at the edges, this is a sign of water damage from an outside source such as leaking sink, back door threshold, refrigerator water line, etc. The floor will appear to have a “washboard” effect. Although you may not see visible signs of water, the wood will act as a sponge and will soak moisture up in a capillary manner through the grain.

Severe Cases of Water Damage: Boards must be replaced, area resanded and finished.
Average Water Damage: Boards allowed drying for 4 to 5 weeks, re-sand and refinish
Slight Water Damage: Area allowed drying, cupping may receed.

PROTECTION FROM OTHER SUBCONTRACTORS

After floor has been finished should a painter or other subcontractor do any touch-up work, be sure to have him put down drop cloths.

Should you have any questions regarding the above information, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

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