Tips to Protect Wooden Floors during Rainy Season

08/14/2019

Wooden floors are popular all over the world for their unique aesthetic appeal and the ability to blend perfectly with different accessories in the house. However, unfortunately, such a thing of beauty is extremely susceptible to changes in environmental conditions. Therefore, be prepared to take extra measures to protect wooden floors, if you really love them. Out of all seasons, the rainy season is probably the most problematic time of the year for maintaining wooden floors.

The primary cause of concern during the monsoon is that wood tends to expand by absorbing moisture. I am sure all of you are familiar with wooden windows and doors that refuse to close properly during the monsoon. The wooden floors also face the same problem because of exposure to extreme moisture. Moreover, wooden floors may even develop stains when moisture penetrates deep into it.

If you really want your wooden floor to retain its lustre for years, you need to put a little effort into it and be extremely cautious about a few things. During the next rainy season, implement these simple tips to keep your wooden floors unaffected.

• The first important task for you is to ensure regular checking and rectification of water leakage. As far as wooden floors are concerned, water is undoubtedly the biggest nemesis. Once there is a water spillage, restoration of the beauty of the floor can be extremely difficult. Therefore, please ensure that your entire house has no water leakage whatsoever. One of the common sources of water leakage is a terrace floor with cracks. Therefore, please ensure that all the water from your terrace is drained out completely. Before the start of the rainy season, have your roof and terrace examined thoroughly by an expert. If you have attached bathrooms in the vicinity of wooden floors, there should be no plumbing issues. Also, keep all your electrical appliances in optimal working condition because any issues related to the washing machine, air conditioner, or refrigerator may cause pooling of water on the floor. Perform a detailed safety check each year, just before the onset of monsoon.
• Having wet footwear is common during the rainy days, but they are extremely harmful for the health of your wooden floor. The same can also be said about dripping clothing, umbrellas, and raincoats. Therefore, always make it a point to remove them before entering a room that has wooden flooring. Some houses have wooden flooring even in the entryway. In such cases, super absorbent mats should be placed over the floors so that people can properly wipe their feet before entering the room. These mats also help keep mud and dirt away from wooden floors. Make use of coat hangers so that you can keep all the wet stuff outside the room.
• Please remember that rugs and carpets are never a good idea for wooden floors because they are sometimes responsible for creating stubborn stains. Instead, use super absorbent mats with backings made of non-slip rubber. The fibres present in these mats are extremely efficient in capturing moisture. If you have many guests arriving on a rainy day, try your best to keep the mat dry. If the mat gets soaked by any chance, remove it immediately. Avoid using carpet tapes because a sticky residue is left by them on the floor.
• If there is any liquid spillage or mud puddle, wipe it using a dry cloth/mop without any delay whatsoever. A microfiber cloth or damp cloth is also fine, but avoid using drippy wet cloth at any cost. Cleaners can be used, but they should not be too harsh for a wooden surface. In this regards, you may seek recommendation from the company that installed your wood floor because they know what is best for the floor.
• There is a common perception that all the windows and doors must remain closed during the rainy season. However, the fact is that fresh air is extremely essential for wooden floors. You should certainly keep the widows shut while it rains, but open them as soon as the rain stops. This will allow the dampness and moisture to escape. If there is any spillage of water caused by the rain and wind, allow the water to evaporate or dry-up immediately.
• Instead of worrying too much about your wooden floor, enhance its protection by reinforcing the sealants periodically. Reinforcement using polyurethane sealants once in three to four years will keep the floor properly sealed and provide sound protection each year from the onslaught of rains. With extraordinary adhesion properties, these sealants can provide the perfect moisture cure for your wooden floor.

If you have any other questions about the maintenance of your wooden floor, please contact us at Enoak. We also offer a wide range of flooring products and world-class installation support to our customers. Please book your free consultation today and experience the best in class wooden flooring in Australia.