A hardwood floor can increase the value and aesthetic appeal of a single-family rental property. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, require special maintenance if your rental property has them. Regular maintenance is essential. Frequently, tenants can be very rough on hardwood floors, gouging and scratching them unintentionally or out of ignorance.
Proper hardwood floor maintenance is one of the most effective methods for preserving the functionality and aesthetic allure of the hardwood floors in your Grand Rapids rental property. But it’s important to know how to take good care of a hardwood floor. 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. Keeping this finish intact is the greatest way to prolong the life of your floor.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Never use strong or abrasive cleansers on hardwood floors, as they could harm the finish or strip off the protective varnish. Use moderate, wood-safe, pH-neutral, or specially formulated cleaners for hardwood floors. Harsh cleaning agents or poor cleaning methods can damage hardwood. Use a gentle microfiber mop or towel to sweep dirt and dust off the floor, as advised by the professionals. 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 on hardwood floors since moisture can quickly destroy them. Remove any spills immediately to prevent them from damaging the wood. Instead of saturating the floor with water, use a barely damp mop to clean it. Furthermore, excessive direct sunlight can cause the color of wood surfaces to fade. To prevent overexposure, filter sunlight with draperies, blinds, or window films.
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. One of the first things you should do is provide your tenant with maintenance and cleaning instructions for the hardwood flooring. By teaching them how to properly care for the hardwood, you can extend its life and preserve its elegance while also preventing damage.
Suggest to tenants that they place mats or rugs in entryways and high-traffic areas to prevent grime and grit from being tracked onto a hardwood flooring. When moving or rearranging furniture, think about placing felt pads or furniture coasters under the legs to prevent denting or scratching the surface.
Periodic Maintenance
Even with regular maintenance, hardwood floors require additional care every few years or between tenants. The finish of a floor can deteriorate and gather scratches or other problems over time as a result of use and abuse. However, if that’s all there is, you probably won’t need to refinish the floor extensively. A screening—which roughens up the surface of the existing finish—and a fresh coat of finish is typically all that is needed to repair a worn-out hardwood floor. Repairing and refinishing may be your only choice if your hardwood floor has become severely damaged, warped, has deep scratches, or has other problems. It takes time to refinish a floor, and professional help and specialized tools are needed.
Taking care of hardwood floors does not have to be difficult, but it does require additional planning and encouragement to enlist your tenant’s assistance. However, by sustaining positive tenant relations, they are more likely to assist you in maintaining the best possible condition for your priceless hardwood floor.
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Originally Published on November 29, 2019
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