Winter can be troublesome times for hardwood floor owners. But, don’t let winter get you too stressed out and worried. Most of the changes that you’ll see in the wintertime are normal and will correct themselves come springtime. However, there are some winter woes that you need to prepare yourself for so that you don’t cause permanent damage to your hardwood floors.
Winter woes for hardwood floors
When winter comes, so do cool dry temperatures. Just like our skin needs a bit more moisture and chapstick to get through the winter months, our floors are going to need a little help, as well. You will also need to make sure that you aren’t dragging in too many contaminants that can cause damage to your floors. Winter boots are the main culprits in dragging in dirt, snow, salt, and sand that can spell trouble for your floors.
Gaps in your hardwood floors
As the air gets cooler and dryer, so do our hardwood floors. Hardwood is a natural material that will have natural reactions to changes in temperature. Think about how little it takes for your lips to get cracked, contracted, and dry during the winter. Your floors will have the same reaction. When the floors dry out and contract you may see larger gaps between each floorboard. However, don’t panic. This is totally normal, and if you manage to maintain a fairly consistent indoor climate the gaps will fill out again once springtime rolls around. The trick is to not let the indoor air become so cold and dry that you cause permanent damage to your floors.
Dirt, snow, salt, and sand
Gaps in your floors is a natural phenomenon in the wintertime and not one that you should worry about too much. What you do need to be mindful of are all the dangerous elements that are easily brought into your home during the winter. Snow in your shoes and boots not only turns into damaging puddles of water once it melts, but it can contain sand, debris, and salt that can scratch and dent your hardwood floors. Make sure you prepare for winter boots by having a dedicated area for wet boots and clothing. Placing rugs or keeping your shoes outside will prevent winter damage to hardwood floors.
To correct winter damage to your hardwood floors, talk to a hardwood flooring installation expert at T&G Flooring in Denver about your options.