A single-family rental house might benefit from the value and beauty of a hardwood floor. To preserve your rental property’s hardwood floors in good condition, you must take additional measures. Regular maintenance is essential. On hardwood floors, renters can be exceedingly rough, accidentally scratching and gouging them out of ignorance.
Proper hardwood floor maintenance is one of the most effective ways to preserve the functionality and aesthetic allure of the hardwood floors in your El Segundo rental property. Understanding how to maintain a hardwood floor is vital, though. The majority of hardwood floors, for instance, have surface coatings that help shield the wood from liquid spills, scratches, and other types of harm. Keep this finish intact for the best chance of extending 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 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. The use of a soft microfiber mop or cloth is advised for sweeping grime and dust off the floor. A hardwood floor can be scratched by a vacuum, and typical mops use excessive amounts of water that could also harm the surface of the floor.
Avoid Excessive Moisture or Sunlight
Due to the susceptibility of hardwood surfaces to damage from moisture, it is essential to avoid puddles of water and other liquids. Clean up any spillage immediately to prevent them from penetrating and damaging the wood. Instead of covering the floor in water, use a damp mop to clean it. Additionally, excessive direct sunlight can cause hardwood floors to lose their color. To prevent overexposure, use draperies, blinds, or window films to block sunlight.
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. Giving your tenant advice on how to properly care for and clean the hardwood floors should be one of your first actions. By educating them about proper maintenance, you may increase the hardwood’s lifespan and aesthetic appeal while simultaneously avoiding 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. Consider using felt cushions or furniture coasters under the legs of furniture to prevent scratching or denting the surface when rearranging or moving items.
Periodic Maintenance
Even with excellent maintenance, hardwood floors need a little extra care every few years or in between tenancies. The finish of a floor may deteriorate and gather scratches or other faults with continued use. You probably won’t need to completely refinish the floor if that’s all that there is, though. Typically, a screening, which roughens the current finish’s surface, and a new application of a finish are sufficient to restore a deteriorating hardwood floor. If your hardwood floor is severely damaged, deformed, has deep scratches, or has other problems, repairing and refinishing may be your only option. Refinishing a floor requires time, specialized devices, and the assistance of professionals.
Hardwood floor maintenance doesn’t have to be tough, but it does require some extra preparation and encouragement to get your tenant involved. They are more likely to assist you in maintaining the best possible condition for your priceless hardwood floor, so long as you maintain strong tenant relations.
Eliminate the stress and inconvenience of managing your rental properties. At Real Property Management California Coast, we handle the lease paperwork, renter relations, professional vendors, and everything else! Contact us or call us at 310-535-2150 and talk to a professional El Segundo property manager today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
