No matter what time of year it is, your hardwood flooring is always at risk.
Every season brings its own set of hazards. No matter what time of year it is, your hardwood floors are always at risk. Winter especially can ruin your floors, especially if you don’t maintain them. Here are some of winter’s effects on your hardwood flooring.
Wood is Absorbent
Believe it or not, wood is absorbent. Pour some liquid on your floors and watch it carefully. After a little while, whatever doesn’t evaporate will seep into the wood. It all depends on the amount of humidity in the air around the hardwood flooring. Now, humidity isn’t ordinarily an issue during the long, cold, dry Maryland winters. Dry wood, even the wood in your floors, will shrink a little bit. Then it will expand again. This property will eventually lead to other problems you won’t be able to spot right away, such as gaps.
Gapping Problems
Gapping problems become far more apparent when the seasons change to colder weather. Although you can still expect plenty of rain and condensation in the winter, typically you’ll be putting up with frost, dust, snow, ice, and road salt accumulating on your hardwood floors. Although moisture is generally seen as the enemy of your hardwood, they do need to have some moisture in them so that gaps don’t open up. A humidifier is a good idea for maintaining a little bit of humidity, especially if you are worried about how your hardwood flooring will acclimate to your home’s environment.
Acclimation Issues
One simple way to avoid any problems with gapping is to make sure that your hardwood floors are properly acclimated. What exactly does this mean? It has to do with the seasoning on the wood and letting it grow used to the humidity in the room. Some rooms will naturally feel more humid sometimes – namely the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room – anywhere you can expect a high concentration of steam. Acclimating your floors decreases the severity of the gapping, along with other concerns such as cupping and crowning. However, in this case, it might be better to let the acclimating process occur under controlled conditions away from your home because conditions could be much different in spring and summer than in fall and winter.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? You Can Trust John K Eareckson & Co.!
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also look for us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.