If you have hardwood flooring in Long Island, NY, then you probably already know what a challenge it can be to protect this kind of material in the winter. The cold season brings a winter wonderland and many fun holiday memories, but it also brings a lot of cold and a lot of moisture. It just so happens that both of these things can pose major problems for wood floors. The following tips will help you to protect your beautiful floors this winter season: • Invest in door mats: Much of the moisture that could cause harm to your floors will be tracked in from outside. One of the best things you can do for your floors is to put down absorbent mats right in the doorways. This will create a safe place for all of that damaging water and slush to go before it ever comes in contact with your floors. • Use an entry without wood floors: If possible, you and your family can protect your hardwood flooring in Long Island, NY, by using an entrance to the home that does not have wood floors. If there is an entry point that has tile or linoleum, then this is the ideal place to use as your main family entrance. This will allow all of you to remove any shoes and wet clothing that could drip on and damage the wood. • Get a seasonal sealant: There are some great products out there that can put a nice seal on your wood floors. This can help you avoid permanent damage from spills and scuffs. Most of these products are meant to last a few months, so putting on a good seal at the beginning of the season should last you until spring comes along. • Place area rugs in high traffic areas: You know the areas of your home that see the highest amount of traffic. With the holiday season, these areas will be under more strain than usual. Placing some decorative rugs in these areas will offer a protective buffer against this foot traffic. • Put padding under the Christmas tree: The holiday season offers a chance to put up beautiful decorations. If one of your traditions includes a Christmas tree, then you need to know that these can be very damaging to wood floors when not set up correctly. Make sure there is a good, thick padding placed under the tree, and never drag the tree across the floor. • Dry the floors every night: Before you head to bed at night, it would be wise to walk through the house and dry up any possible spots of moisture. This will only take a few minutes, but can be very helpful in ensuring no moisture sits on the wood overnight. • Choose a good temperature setting: The cold weather can cause wood to shrink. This change can lead to permanent damage if the shrinking and expanding happens every night. Set a temperature in the house that will be healthy for you and your floors. • Clean them regularly: The extra dirt and grime of the holiday season can be damaging to your floors. You will need to sweep and clean them more often during these cold months. While hardwood flooring in Long Island, NY, is very beautiful, it does require some maintenance to keep it looking that way. The work load will increase a bit in the winter months. By taking these tips seriously, you will be able to have gorgeous floors without worrying about any damage. The great thing about most of these tips is that they only have to be done once. In the end, the look and feel of this incredible flooring material is well worth the extra seasonal work.
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