The Citizen, 2019-10-24, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019. PAGE 15.
MS – Wood floors are a
worthwhile investment that can
improve the beauty and function of
just about any room in a home. Even
though wood floors are durable, and
new protective treatments help seal
out many of the things that may have
damaged floors in the past,
homeowners still need to prioritize
protecting their hardwood floors.
Certain seasons of the year can be
more harsh on wood floors than
others. For example, seasons
characterized by moisture and
precipitation, particularly the early
spring, winter and fall, can be hard
on wood floors. The experts at
ServiceMaster Clean say that cold,
snowy days can damage wood
floors, and Lumber Liquidators
agrees that winter weather can be
harsh on flooring.
Homeowners need not give up on
hardwood if they live in an area that
sees all four seasons. They just need
to take a few steps to keep floors
looking beautiful.
• Clean up the salt: Salt that
keeps sidewalks and streets clear of
snow and ice inadvertently gets
tracked inside a home. Hard chunks
of salt can scratch wood floors, and,
if left to sit, that salt can eventually
cause white marks and other stains.
Routinely vacuuming and sweeping
up salt is necessary to protect wood
floors.
• Invest in shoe storage: Wet or
snowy boots can create puddles
around the house. Have a special mat
or tray by the front door where wet
shoes can be kept. A nice bench in
the entryway makes it easy for
residents and guests to remove their
shoes until it's time to go back
outside.
• Use water-wicking mats:
Homeowners will probably need a
few extra mats around to tame errant
drips and wipe shoes. Any entrance
that might be used by people or pets
should be protected. Try to avoid
petroleum-based, rubber-backed
mats, as they could discolor the
wood floor.
• Control humidity indoors:
Cold, dry air in a home can be
problematic because the moisture in
the wood can eventually evaporate
into the air. The heat will suck that
moisture from the flooring, causing
it to shrink, creak and splinter and
become more brittle.
Think about investing in an in-line
humidifier for the home’s HVAC
system that can keep a moderate
amount of humidity in the home.
Hardwood floorboards are installed
to accommodate minor temperature
and humidity fluctuations.
• Use the right cleaning
products: Avoid excessive water to
clean wood floors, and select soaps
that are specially designed for wood
flooring. Consult with the flooring
manufacturer for a list of detergents
that are safe to use.
With proper care, hardwood
flooring can survive rain, snow and
cold weather.
Wood floor care crucial to their longevity
Winter is
coming;
prepare
your deck
When purchasing appliances at our store,
you will receive a 2nd year warranty
ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Our P e a c e o f M ind Pr
o
m
i
s
e
Signature
we provide our customers with
an added peace of mind
Our “Signature Service program” is available on select Major Appliances. We will extend the
manufacturer’s warranty on select Major Appliances to 2 years from the date of purchase if the
manufacturer’s warranty is less than 2 years. See store for details
“SIGNATURE SERVICE
PROGRAM” ADVANTAGE!
Get the
MS – Homeowners often take
steps to winterize the interior of
their homes in the weeks before
winter’s arrival, but such efforts
should extend to the outside of a
home as well.
Decks make for great gathering
places when the weather permits.
Decks are where many people spend
their free time and eat their meals
come spring and summer, when the
temperatures climb and the sun sets
well into the evening. But as
summer turns to fall, homeowners
must take measures to protect their
decks from potentially harsh winter
weather.
• Inspect the deck for problems:
Decks tend to be used more often in
summer than any other time of year.
That makes fall and early winter an
ideal time to inspect for wear and
tear and any additional issues that
may have cropped up throughout the
summer. Damaged boards and loose
handrails should be fixed before
winter arrives, especially for
homeowners who plan to use their
decks in winter. Fixing such issues
in winter and even into spring may
be difficult thanks to harsh
conditions, so make good use of the
relatively calm autumn weather to
fix any issues on the deck.
• Clear the deck of potted
plants: Even homeowners who
intend to use their decks in winter
should remove potted plants from
the deck in the fall. The home
improvement experts at HGTV note
that moisture can get trapped
between deck boards and plastic,
wood or ceramic containers in cold
weather, and that can contribute to
mildew, discoloration or decay.
• Store unnecessary furniture:
Homeowners who like to sit on their
decks in winter will no doubt want
to leave some furniture out over the
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