Flooring Maintenance & Longevity: Tips to Extend the Life of Your Floors

If you’re looking for ways to prolong the life of the flooring in your home, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips for what you can do to avoid the need for a flooring replacement:

• Protect your floors. Oftentimes, the best way to extend the life of your flooring is to prevent it from becoming damaged in the first place. There are many ways to accomplish this. For example, dirt, dust, and other debris can scratch your floors, so consider placing door mats at your entranceways to keep it from being tracked inside. You should also think about placing rugs in high-traffic areas and pads under furniture legs.
• Clean your floors. As was noted above, debris can damage the surface of your floors, so be sure to keep up with cleaning (depending on the type of flooring you have installed, this might include sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping). But take care to avoid using too much water, since excess moisture can damage certain flooring materials.
• Maintain your floors. Flooring typically requires regular maintenance—for example, hardwood floors often need to be refinished. Follow any manufacturer-specific instructions to help keep your floors looking their best.

What if Your Floors Can’t Be Saved?

While the tips outlined above can often help extend the life of a floor, in some cases, flooring simply needs to be replaced. For example, if you’re experiencing any of the following, you should consider having new floors installed:

• Deep scratches or cracks – While it’s normal to have some scuffs, dents, or light scratches after many years of wear and tear, any deeper marks could signal the need for new flooring. That’s because openings in your floor could allow for water damage, rotting, and pest infestations. Plus, cracked flooring could become a tripping hazard.
• Stains and other discoloration – If your flooring is stained, you may think that it’s simply an eyesore, but it could potentially lead to rotting, unpleasant odors, and other issues. Plus, discoloration could be a sign of mold growth, which could in turn mean that your flooring sustained water damage (also be sure to look for warping).
• Loud creaking – It’s normal for floors to occasionally squeak, especially when there are high humidity levels. But if your flooring is constantly creaking, it could be a sign of more serious issues such as unstable joists, improper fasteners, or an uneven subfloor.

Luckily, if you’re in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or the surrounding area, you can turn to Pittsburgh’s Best Remodeling for all of your flooring installation needs. We’re the area’s premier design/build home remodeler, and because we understand that every homeowner is different, we carry a wide selection of flooring options to suit all of our customers’ needs. Choose from hardwood, tile, and vinyl plank, and if you’re unsure which material is most appropriate for your home, we can supply you with personalized recommendations.

Contact Pittsburgh’s Best Remodeling today to learn more about the flooring installation services we offer in the greater Pittsburgh area. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and schedule a free design consultation..