Do you live with a pet dog? If you do, you are well aware of the damage your lovely pet can cause on the hardwood floor, especially when running around the house. However, letting a pet dog and a hardwood floor co-exist is possible; you must figure out how to protect the delicate surface from ugly scratches. Here is what you should do:

• Place a rug
  If your dog has a favourite spot on the hardwood floor, the signs of ageing there will no doubt appear. To protect that particular floor area, you can place a rug for your dog to spend time on. While rugs and small carpets work wonders to preserve the surface beneath scratch-free, they might come with the downside of not being a match for your interior. But given all the negative impact scratches have on the wooden floor, consider looking for the right rug that will align with your décor – the variety of colours and patterns rugs ensure is greater than you imagine.

• Vacuum daily
  Vacuuming the hardwood floor daily is always a good idea, and when living with a pet dog, this cleaning method becomes even more effective. Pet hair and dirt from the outside are the leading cause of scratches on the wooden surface, so try sticking to a regular vacuum cleaning routine. Sweep or vacuum clean the floor daily to pick up dirt, and don't forget to set the vacuum cleaner to the right feature. The beater bar is what you should never opt for, as this might seriously damage the surface.

• Purchase dog nail covers
  Sometimes, it is not even necessary for your dog to run around the house so that ugly scratches appear on the wooden floor. Since dogs' nails always stay exposed, walking on the wooden floor might lead to scratching, especially for large, heavy breeds. To prevent scratches, you can purchase specially designed dog nail covers. These items are pretty cheap, and they come in various sizes; pick the size that is a perfect fit for your pet.

• Trim the nails
  Your dog's nails grow fast, which is why you should trim them regularly. Short, non-sharp nails minimise the floor's scratching, so take your time to check on your dog's paws often. If the time has come for trimming, be patient and carefully tackle the task without causing distress to your beloved pet. Don't cut it too short, as you might hurt your dog's skin. If you believe trimming the nails is too complicated to handle on your own, take the dog to a pet groomer. Allow the pros to safely take care of the dog's nails to keep the hardwood floor scratch-free and your four-legged friend happy. Another way to maintain the dog's claws short enough is to take it for a walk as often as possible. In addition to the health benefits regular walks provide, they are also a great way to prevent your pet's overgrown nails naturally.

• Wax the floor
  Waxing the hardwood floor ensures a better grip for your dog while running around, thus minimising the need to use its nails for better balance. If scratches still appear, waxing limits their depth, allowing you to cover the damage by re-waxing easily. To prolong the lifespan of your hardwood floor while living with a pet dog, wax the surface every couple of years. Research to figure out the right product for your type of floor, and contact the wooden floor manufacturer for instructions on how to wax the surface by yourself properly.

Dogs are amazing pets, and with the help of these tips, you can let your furry friend and the beautiful hardwood floor co-exist for a long time.

©FK Floor Sanding

Just like any other flooring solution, wooden alternatives have their flaws. Although natural wood is durable and never goes out of style, you should realise that problems with the floors are possible to appear. If you consider getting rid of your carpet in the name of a shiny wooden surface, keep on reading. Before you make your decision final, get to know the most typical issues you may have to deal with when opting for hardwood floors:

• Staining - a hardwood floor or not, the sooner you clean liquid messes, the greater chance you have to save the surface from permanent damage. Although stains are a problem for any type of floor, with a wooden floor you should be even more careful. When untended for hours, the spillage may enter through wood's finish and ruin the structure of the material. In such cases, pricey repairs become necessary, which is why you should be cautious if you live with small children or pets. The presence of kids and animals increases the possibility for accidents and you should be aware of that fact when installing a hardwood floor.

• Daily wear and tear - you can say with no doubt that hardwood floors are a durable solution. They take advantage of a protective finish that preserves them in top shape for a long time. Even so, your daily routine would leave marks on the wooden floor. Dents and scratches are likely to appear unless you take precautions and delay the process of wear and tear. Using area rugs to balance extreme foot traffic and keeping your shoes off the hardwood floor are reasonable measures you should consider.

• Fading - frequent exposure to sunlight is something wooden floors usually don't tolerate. Despite their protective finish, when constantly exposed to sunlight hardwood surfaces start looking dull. Of course, this process wouldn't happen overnight and you can take actions to prevent it from happening at all. You should know that the higher quality hardwood floor you install, the more sunlight it can handle. But if you are on a tight budget and the best wooden floors are not an option, think about installing blinds or thick curtains.

• Buckling - buckling is one of the most serious problems you may face with your hardwood floor. Whether the wooden floor has suffered a flood or another moisture-related accident, moisture is always the cause for buckling. In rare cases, the proven specialist can fix the damaged boards, but typically you would have to replace the affected parts of the floor. Don't forget that before dealing with this problem, you should make sure that moisture is gone. Otherwise, you risk your brand-new floor buckling again.

• Poor finish - with a hardwood floor it is certain that over time its glossy finish would start peeling off. Usually, this process takes years to begin, but if the finish has been applied improperly, it can deteriorate much earlier. The good news is you can restore the beauty of your floor by sanding and then reapplying the finish. Let experts take care of the renovation so that you can rest assured the new finish would last for a long time.

• Limited cleaning methods - as you already know, extreme moisture is a dangerous enemy to any hardwood floor. For that reason, you shouldn't depend on cleaning techniques that involve water application, which makes your number of solutions rather limited. You are allowed to mop the floor, as long as you steer clear of the great amount of water and harsh detergents. While sweeping the floor you should also be careful, otherwise ugly scratches are likely to appear.

Despite these negative features, a hardwood floor remains a wonderful alternative for homeowners who want to add class and cosiness to their places. With the right maintenance and a few protective measures, your beautiful hardwood floor would stay in top condition for many years.

©FK Floor Sanding

Installing a hardwood floor is a classy, sophisticated way to go when you decorate your home. This is a type of flooring that looks great and never goes out of style. It’s maintenance, however, may turn out to be a deal-breaker for you. As time goes by wooden floors tend to lose their initial glow and start looking dull. Yet you should know that you are not powerless against an outworn wooden floor and you can make things right. Don’t give up on a stylish hardwood floor, but find out why it looks dull and learn tips on preventing damages.

• You use a wrong cleaning product – disinfecting wooden floors the wrong way is a common issue that can easily ruin wood’s shine. When you are not careful with the detergent you apply, you may get confused and use ammonia or bleach-containing products that are harmful to hardwood floors. In case such an accident happens, evaluate the damage, but in most cases, you should reseal the surface. To avoid that scenario, just don’t hurry and read the label of the detergent first. Also, stick to the instructions for a proper application given by the cleanser's manufacturer.

• You don’t clean the right way – you believe that mopping is all you have to do to keep a hardwood floor fresh and shiny. In fact, this way of thinking means nothing but a dirty floor. You should always vacuum clean or sweep the floor before you start with the mopping task. Otherwise, you simply reshuffle grime and it remains stuck to the floor. Besides, don’t forget to clean your mop after each application, so that you can eliminate any chance of spreading dirt around.

• You forget to dry the floor – perhaps you know that water is wood’s real enemy and if not properly used, it can make your hardwood floor look dull in no time. Of course, you need water to mop the floor, but be careful with the level of moisture. You should also buff the floor right after you are done mopping. This way you can keep it shiny and prevent the surface from ugly streaks. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff the hardwood floor with.

• You don’t protect it enough – there are many factors in your lifestyle that affect the way your hardwood floor looks. Habits like wearing high heels in the house or not placing area rugs often lead to scratches and scratches mean a dull wooden floor. You should change some of your routines so that you can prevent dullness from happening. Put doormats in front of your door and benefit from area rugs to protect zones with the highest foot traffic. If you have pets, keep them groomed and have their scratchy nails regularly clipped. Generally, try to realise which of your habits are harmful to the hardwood floor and make the effort to replace them with more appropriate, wood-friendly behaviour.

• It’s time for a new finish – no matter how attentive you are, the truth is hardwood floors eventually have to be refinished. It is clear that the more you try to preserve the surface, the later refinishing would be required. It should take years for a quality wooden floor to need a new finish, but when this moment arrives, fear not. The most common types of hardwood floors can be resealed at least several times. Refinishing and resealing your floor is the most secure way to eliminate a dull appearance. Take advantage of this method to restore the amazing appearance of your wooden floors.

A dull hardwood floor is something you can deal with, as soon as you figure out what causes the loss of shine. If you are a fan of a glossy wooden floor, keep it in an excellent condition by eliminating all factors that are harmful to its perfect look.

© FK Floor Sanding