Having your floors refinished can bring new life into your home, but incorrect aftercare can jeopardize the results. To safeguard your investment and keep your floors looking great, our team at Hayden’s Finishing Solutions suggests avoiding these typical post-refinishing mistakes.
- Walking on Floors Too Soon: One of the most typical mistakes is walking on the floor before it has completely cured. While the surface may feel dry, it’s important to wait at least 24 hours—48 is even better—to walk on your floors. This gives the floor time to fully cure.
- Arranging Furniture Too Early: Moving furniture back too quickly may result in dents, scratches, or uneven surfaces. It’s a good idea to wait at least 48 hours, and sometimes more depending on the finish that was used, before putting furniture back in the space. In addition, using felt padding and sliders will increase the life of your flooring.
- Avoiding Protective Measures: Newly refinished floors are prone to scratches and scuffs. Avoid wearing shoes with hard bottoms or heels indoors and consider using rugs in high-traffic areas following floor refinishing.
- Using the Wrong Cleaning Products: Harsh chemicals or oil-based cleaning products may dull or harm the finish. It’s better to stick to gentle, pH-neutral hardwood cleansers and avoid using too much water or a wet mop. Our floor refinishing team can explore options with you to ensure you’re using appropriate products.
- Ignoring the Temperature and Humidity Levels: You might not realize it, but hardwood flooring is susceptible to environmental changes. To avoid warping or cracking, use a humidifier in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer to keep indoor humidity levels steady.
- Neglecting Maintenance: You can extend the life of the floor refinishing process by maintaining your floors once it’s completed. For instance, avoid allowing dirt and debris to accumulate, as they can scratch the surface over time. Also, sweep or vacuum frequently using a hardwood-safe attachment.