Your hardwood floors are an investment, so maintaining them year-round should be a priority. Here are some tips for protecting wood floors from the cold, wet conditions we so often see during Nashville winters.
1. Keep Them Clean
The best way to guarantee your hardwood floors’ longevity and appearance is to clean them regularly. Wood floor protection starts with proper cleaning, so it’s not only important to clean consistently but also to clean correctly. Sweeping to remove dirt, bits of dried leaves, and other abrasive elements from outside will help keep your floors protected. If your floors get wet from shoes or pets, dry them first, and then go ahead with the cleaning. Hardwood floors react to moisture, so it’s important to use small amounts of water or hardwood cleaning solutions when cleaning so they dry quickly. You can help your floors dry quicker from a wet cleaning by using fans or turning the heat on after you finish up. Don’t use all-purpose cleaners or bleach on hardwood; instead, use only cleaners that are formulated specifically for hardwood. You can also prevent water damage by being proactive. If you can, ask guests to take their shoes off at the entrance. Use floor mats or have people enter the home in a room without a wood floor, if possible.
2. Maintain Consistent Temperatures
One of the biggest cold weather issues homeowners see is wood floor gaps in the winter. Wood is fairly reactive to changes in temperature, and that means that when it’s warm, it can expand, and when it’s cold, it will contract. In a properly ventilated home, this shouldn’t be an issue, but sometimes extreme cold can catch you off guard. The best way to keep your wood flooring from contracting is to keep temperatures more consistent. If you’re tempted to keep the heat up high, don’t. Higher temperatures are harder to keep at the same level, meaning the constant fluctuations can actually cause bigger hardwood floor gaps in winter. For the sake of your utility bill and your hardwood flooring, try to maintain steady temperatures all year. Gaps can further exacerbate other issues, too, such as moisture penetration. With space between boards, water can get deeper into the wood, causing warping and mold buildup if not properly monitored. As for how cold is too cold for wood floors, it’s best to keep temperatures in all parts of your home above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. About 62 and up is safer, as fluctuations can easily dip below 60 if that’s the bottom of your goal.
3. Keep an Eye on Humidity
The winter season is generally quite a bit drier than summer or spring in Nashville, but that doesn’t mean moisture can’t linger in the air and cause problems. Homes with high humidity levels allow moisture to soak into hardwoods gradually. This penetration can lead to swelling of the boards, which can damage them and lead to cracking and other physical deformities. When you keep temperatures in your home consistent, this can also keep humidity in check. Follow the steps above for your thermostat, but monitor the humidity of your home, too. If things get above 55%, you may need to consider a dehumidifier for the home. Remaining aware of the conditions of the air inside your home is how you protect wood floors in the winter.
Don’t Neglect Hardwoods in the Winter
The winter is a great time to check in on your hardwood flooring and make sure that your home is in the right condition to keep it protected. Want to learn more about how Ozburn-Hessey installs and maintains hardwoods in the winter? Reach out on our website or give us a call for a free consultation and estimate for any of your hardwood needs.
