Hardwood Floor Care
Hardwood floors are an expensive investment and will last many years. The following is a general guide to assist you in the care of and to prolong the life of your new floor. As wear and tear on a new floor depends on the amount of and type of use, judgement is required to assess how often the floor should be maintained. By following a few simple rules today, you can minimize the need for repair and refinishing tomorrow: Dirt, grit and sand act like sandpaper to scratch, dent and dull hardwood floors. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt. Sweep, vacuum or dust mop at least weekly.

Initial Protection
Barrier matting should be provided at all external entrances. In public buildings the matting should be laid necessitating people entering the premises to take at least two steps before walking on other floor finishes and should also be designed to remove grit and moisture.

Sealing and Maintenance

For the first twelve months of the life of a new floor it is recommended that Granwax sealers be used. This material penetrates the wood to help to repel dirt and it also allows the timber to "move" whilst it becomes acclimatised to the surrounding atmosphere. The following chart indicates the types of sites which may require more than two coats of sealer on completion of laying and also indicates the frequency of resealing.

* Living Rooms, Dining Rooms, Bedrooms, Gymnasiums & Sports floors used for sports only: 2/3 coats of Seal or similar and reseal approx every year depending on use.

* Domestic kitchens, Galleries, Libraries, Schools, Community Centres and Multi-use sports floors: 2/3 coats of Seal or similar and reseal approx 1-2 years.

* Shops, Restaurants, Bars, Dance floors, Reception areas, Hairdressing salons: 2/3 coats of Seal or similar and reseal approx every 6-12 months.

Check doorways and heavy traffic areas regularly for signs of wear usually indicated by a dulling of the surface and a grey appearance. At this stage it is necessary to apply a maintenance coat of sealer.

Cleaning
Shake out/vacuum entrance matting to prevent soil build-up. Worn mats are ineffective - CHANGE. Sweeping - Brooms with fine, exploded ends trap dust and grit effectively.

Vaccuming - Use a brush attachment. Do not a vacuum with beater bars because this can cause dents in your floor's finish. Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust. Vacuum and sweep your floor as often as required to eliminate dust and debris from your floor. This may have to be done on a daily basis; depending on the amount of traffic in your home.

Dust Mopping - Use a dust mop with a 12-to-18-inch cotton head. Check with the flooring manufacturer if a mop treatment is to be used.

Water - and other standing liquids can damage a floor's finish. Standing water can warp a finished floor. Starting at the edge and working toward the center, wipe up spills, pet accidents and other mishaps when they happen.

Furniture - should be moved by lifting, not dragging. Felt contacts under furniture legs are a good idea to help prevent scratches in routine use.

Sunlight - can cause discoloration over time. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect a hardwood floor from intense UV rays.

Try to maintain an average humidity level of 45% in order to minimize the expansion and contraction in your floor.

Shoes - with exposed nails and heel supports will dent any floor. You can also Minimize surface scratches by keeping your pets nails trimmed. Black rubber scuff marks are easily removable with a little white spirit on a cloth.