To a single-family rental home, a hardwood floor can add beauty and value. To safeguard the state of the hardwood floors in your rental home, you must take extra precautions. Regular maintenance is essential. On hardwood floors, renters can be exceedingly rough, accidentally scratching and gouging them out of ignorance.
Maintaining your rental property’s hardwood flooring properly is one of the most efficient ways to keep them functional and aesthetically pleasing. However, it is necessary to comprehend proper hardwood floor maintenance. For instance, the majority of hardwood floors are treated on the surface to help shield the wood from liquid spills, scratches, and other types of damage. The ideal method for extending the life of your floor is to maintain this finish.
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 wood floor cleaners that are gentle and nonabrasive. Harsh cleaning chemicals and improper cleaning methods can damage hardwood. An expert-recommended soft microfiber mop or cloth should be used to brush dirt and dust off the floor. Vacuum cleaners can scratch a hardwood floor, and standard mops use too much water, which can also cause damage.
Avoid Excessive Moisture or Sunlight
It’s crucial to prevent substantial water or liquid spills since hardwood floors are readily ruined by moisture. Immediately clean up any spillage to prevent them from penetrating the wood and causing damage. Use a moist mop to wipe the floor rather than soaking it in water. Furthermore, excessive direct sunlight can cause the color of wood surfaces to fade. Use curtains, blinds, or window coatings to filter sunlight to prevent overexposure.
Regular Cleaning and Preventative Measures
While a landlord has numerous alternatives, one of the best ways to keep a rental property looking immaculate is to work with your tenants to preserve the hardwood flooring. Giving your tenant advice on how to properly care for and clean the hardwood floors should be one of your first actions. By instructing them on correct maintenance, you can increase the lifespan and aesthetic appeal of the hardwood while also avoiding damage.
Encourage tenants to place mats or rugs in the entrances and busy areas so that grit and dirt won’t be tracked onto the hardwood floors. To prevent denting or scratching surfaces when moving or rearranging furniture, think about placing felt pads or furniture coasters under the legs.
Periodic Maintenance
Even with meticulous preservation, hardwood floors require periodic or between-tenancy maintenance. Wear and strain can cause a floor’s finish to degrade and acquire scratches and other flaws over time. 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. If your hardwood floor is severely damaged, warped, or has significant scratches or other problems, repairing and refinishing may be the only option. A floor needs to be refinished, which involves time, expertise, and specific tools.
Hardwood floor maintenance doesn’t have to be tough, but it does require some extra preparation and encouragement to get your tenant involved. However, if they maintain positive tenant relations, they are more likely to assist you in keeping your valuable hardwood floor in pristine condition.
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