A hardwood floor can increase the value and aesthetic appeal of a single-family rental property. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, require special maintenance if your rental property has them. Regular maintenance is essential. Frequently, occupants can be very rough on hardwood floors, accidentally or ignorantly scratching and gouging them.
Maintaining your Norman rental property’s hardwood flooring properly is one of the most efficient ways to keep them functional and aesthetically pleasing. However, it is essential to know how to maintain a hardwood floor effectively. The majority of hardwood floors, for instance, have surface coatings that help shield the wood from liquid spills, scratches, and other types of harm. Maintaining this polish is the greatest way to extend the life of your floor.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
On hardwood floors, avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners as they may damage the finish or remove the protective sealer. Use moderate, wood-safe, pH-neutral, or specially formulated cleaners for hardwood floors. Harsh cleaning agents or poor cleaning methods can damage hardwood. An expert-recommended soft microfiber mop or cloth should be used to brush dirt and dust off the floor. 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. In order to avoid spills causing damage to the wood, clean up all spills right away. Instead of saturating the floor with water, use a barely damp mop to clean it. Additionally, hardwood flooring color may fade if they receive too much direct sunshine. To avoid overexposure, block sunlight with drapes, blinds, or window coverings.
Regular Cleaning and Preventative Measures
Working with your tenants to maintain the hardwood flooring in your rental property is one of the best ways to preserve its pristine appearance. One of the first steps you should take is to instruct your tenant on the appropriate care and cleaning of the hardwood floors. By teaching them how to properly care for the hardwood, you can extend its life and preserve its elegance while also preventing damage.
Ask tenants to put rugs or mats down in the entrances and other high-traffic areas to prevent dirt and grit from being tracked into the hardwood floors. To prevent scratching or denting the surface when moving or rearranging goods, think about inserting felt pads or furniture coasters under the legs of furniture.
Periodic Maintenance
Even with meticulous preservation, hardwood floors require periodic or between-tenancy maintenance. The finish of a floor can deteriorate and gather scratches or other problems over time as a result of use and abuse. If that is all that is present, you probably won’t need to completely refinish the floor. 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 may be your only choice if your hardwood floor has become severely damaged, warped, has deep scratches, or has other problems. Refinishing a floor requires time, professional assistance, and specialized equipment.
Hardwood floor maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require additional planning and incentive for getting your tenant involved. However, if they maintain positive tenant relations, they are more likely to assist you in keeping your valuable hardwood floor in pristine condition.
Make managing your rental properties less stressful and time-consuming. At Real Property Management Elevate, we handle the lease paperwork, renter relations, professional vendors, and everything else! Contact us or call us at 405-876-7611 and talk to a professional Norman property manager today.
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