A hardwood floor can increase the value and aesthetic appeal of a single-family rental property. To maintain the condition of the hardwood floors in your rental home, you must take special care. Regular maintenance is essential. Tenants are frequently very rough with hardwood floors, accidentally scratching and gouging them out of ignorance.
One of the best ways to keep the hardwood floors in your Appleton rental property functional and aesthetically pleasing is through regular hardwood floor maintenance. However, it is essential to know how to maintain a hardwood floor effectively. For instance, the majority of hardwood floors are treated on the surface to help shield the wood from liquid spills, scratches, and other types of damage. Keep this finish intact for the best chance of extending the life of your floor.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleansers on hardwood floors, as they may damage the finish or strip away the protective sealant. Use mild, wood surface-safe cleaning solutions made for wooden surfaces that are pH-neutral or specially formulated. Hardwood can be damaged by harsh cleaning agents or poor cleaning methods. Use a gentle microfiber mop or towel to sweep dirt and dust off the floor, as advised by the professionals. Vacuum cleaners can scratch a hardwood floor, and standard mops use too much water, which can also cause damage.
Avoid Excessive Moisture or Sunlight
Due to the susceptibility of hardwood surfaces to moisture damage, it is essential to avoid significant water or liquid spills. Immediately clean up any spillage to prevent them from penetrating the wood and causing damage. Clean the floor using a slightly moist mop as opposed to saturating it in water. Furthermore, excessive direct sunlight can cause the color of wood surfaces to fade. To avoid overexposure, use window films, blinds, or drapes to block the sun.
Regular Cleaning and Preventative Measures
Working with your tenants to maintain the hardwood flooring in your rental property is one of the most effective ways to preserve its pristine appearance. One of the first things you should do is provide your tenant with maintenance and cleaning instructions for the hardwood flooring. By educating them about proper maintenance, you may increase the hardwood’s lifespan and aesthetic appeal while simultaneously avoiding damage.
In order to avoid dirt and grit from being tracked onto the hardwood floor, suggest to tenants that they place mats or rugs in high-traffic areas and entryways. To prevent denting or scratching surfaces when moving or rearranging furniture, think about placing felt pads or furniture coasters under the legs.
Periodic Maintenance
Even with outstanding maintenance, hardwood floors need a little extra care every few years or in between tenancies. Wear and strain can cause a floor’s finish to degrade and acquire scratches and other flaws over time. However, if that’s all there is, you probably won’t need to refinish the floor extensively. A screening—which roughens up the surface of the existing finish—and a fresh coat of finish are typically all that are needed to repair a worn-out hardwood floor. Repairing and refinishing your hardwood floor may be your only option if it has become significantly damaged, warped, has deep scratches, or has other problems. It takes time, skilled assistance, and specific tools to refinish a floor.
Taking care of hardwood floors does not have to be difficult, but enlisting your tenant’s assistance requires additional planning and encouragement. However, if you keep up strong relations with your tenants, they’ll be more inclined to assist you in preserving the quality of your priceless hardwood floor.
Make managing your rental properties less stressful and time-consuming. At Real Property Management Lakeshore, we handle the lease paperwork, renter relations, professional vendors, and everything else! Contact us or call us at 920-305-7077 and talk to a professional Appleton property manager today.
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