A single-family rental house might benefit from the value and beauty of a hardwood floor. To maintain the condition of the hardwood floors in your rental home, you must take special care. Regular maintenance is essential. On hardwood floors, renters can be exceedingly rough, accidentally scratching and gouging them out of ignorance.
One of the best ways to keep the hardwood floors in your rental property functional and aesthetically pleasing is through regular hardwood floor maintenance. But it’s important to know how to maintain a hardwood floor correctly. 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. Maintaining this condition is the most effective way to extend the life of your floor.
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 gentle, safe for wood surfaces, pH-neutral, or specially formulated hardwood floor cleaners. 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.
In order to avoid dirt and grit from being tracked onto the hardwood floor, suggest to tenants that they place mats or rugs in high-traffic areas and entryways. Consider using felt cushions or furniture coasters under the legs of furniture to prevent scratching or denting the surface when rearranging or moving items.
Periodic Maintenance
Hardwood flooring still need a little extra care every few years or in between renters, even with excellent maintenance. Over time, wear and stress can cause the finish of a floor to deteriorate and acquire scratches and other flaws. You probably won’t need to completely refinish the floor if that’s all that there is, though. Typically, a screening, which roughens the current finish’s surface, and a new application of a finish are sufficient to restore a deteriorating hardwood floor. Repairing and refinishing your hardwood floor may be your only option if it has become significantly damaged, warped, has deep scratches, or has other problems. 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 you keep up strong relations with your tenants, they’ll be more inclined to assist you in preserving the quality of your priceless hardwood floor.
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