How to Care for Your Wood Flooring in a Warm Climate

Although it can get cold in the winter, the Los Angeles, CA, area is generally considered a warm climate. Los Angeles area homeowners with wood flooring may wonder about the best practices to maintain and care for their floors to protect them from damage. At Hernandez Wholesale Flooring, we’ve provided reliable flooring products and services for homeowners in the region since 1970. Here are some helpful wood flooring maintenance tips to keep your floors looking beautiful and new, regardless of the temperature.

How Heat and Humidity Affect Wood Flooring

Heat and humidity can impact your wood flooring in several ways. When wood flooring is exposed to extreme humidity level changes and temperature fluctuations, it can affect your floors over time.

• Expansion and contraction: Since wood is a natural material, it absorbs moisture from the air, causing it to expand in humid conditions. When the air is dry, the wood contracts. These humidity changes make the expanding and contracting wood floors swell and shrink, leading to unsightly gaps between boards and other issues.
• Cupping: Your wood floors may expand unevenly when exposed to high levels of humidity. This may cause the middle of the plank to curve downward, resulting in a “cupped” appearance.
• Buckling: If the humidity is extremely high, wood planks that expand eventually push against each other. They start to force each other upward and lift off the subfloor, causing “buckling.”
• Gaps: You may notice gaps between wood boards during periods of low humidity when the planks shrink and create obvious spaces between them.
• Temperature-related issues: Although heat alone doesn’t necessarily damage your wood floors, warm temperatures can contribute to higher humidity levels. When this happens, the flooring begins to expand and contract, leading to the issues mentioned above.

Best Practices for Caring for Wood Flooring in a Warm Climate

Caring for hardwood floors the right way is already important to protect your investment and keep them in good condition. However, there are some best practices that homeowners should use to help prevent wood floor damage in a warm climate.

• Clean spills immediately: Liquid is the enemy of wood floors, so it’s important to blot spills as soon as they occur. If water or other liquids sit on your floors, it can leave staining or warping behind.
• Use proper cleaning methods: Always use pH-neutral, nontoxic, and biodegradable hardwood floor cleaning products. Vinegar and harsh chemical cleaners can damage the finish. Wipe your floors with a microfiber pad, and if you must use a broom, make sure it has angled, soft bristles to prevent scratches and damage.
• Use dehumidifiers: During periods of extremely high heat and humidity, a dehumidifier helps to lower the moisture in the air and protect your wood floors from expanding and contracting.
• Take precautions: If your wood floors get scratched, they become vulnerable to damage from moisture and heat. Fortunately, you can prevent scratches by keeping pet nails trimmed, using protective furniture leg pads, avoiding wearing high heels inside your home, and placing area rugs over high-traffic areas.
• Refinish: Ideally, you should re-finish your wood floors every five years if you want to protect them from heat and humidity. Adding a new layer of finish protects them from moisture and damage.
• Dust often: Keep your wood floors safe by dusting them at least once a week using a mop with a microfiber head to prevent scratches from dirt and debris.

Choosing the Right Finish to Protect Your Wood Floors

Choosing the right finish is an essential part of protecting wood floors from heat and humidity. You should also consider other factors like how much foot traffic your floors get, the look you want to achieve, and how much maintenance you’re able to do.

• Water-based polyurethane: This low-odor and low-VOC finish has a smooth, shiny look with no yellow. However, if you apply a high-gloss, water-based polyurethane finish, it may show every scratch and scrape on your wood floors.
• Oil-based polyurethane: This glossy flooring finish consists of synthetic resins, plasticizers, and linseed oil, making it a strong and durable option for homes with a lot of foot traffic. You won’t need to refinish your floors as often with this option due to its rugged durability and ease of maintenance. However, oil-based polyurethane finishes tend to turn yellow much faster than other options, so it’s a concern for homeowners with light-colored wood floors.
• Wax: If you want a matte, low-sheen finish, wax is a good option. It’s easy to apply and protects wood floors from moisture, but it does require re-application more often than other finishes.
• Shellac: This finish is great if you want a natural, sustainable product with little VOCs that dries quickly. Shellac is easy to repair or touch up and adheres well to oily, tropical woods. However, shellac is very flammable and less durable than many other options, and it must be freshly mixed before application.

Preventing Moisture Damage and Warping

One way to keep your floors in great shape is to choose the best flooring for hot climates, such as oak, maple, and hickory. Here are some more tips to protect your wood floors from mixture damage and warping.

• Monitor and control humidity: Use a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels and adjust with a dehumidifier as needed. An ideal humidity level is between 35% and 55%.
  Apply a sealant: Consider applying a high-quality sealant to your wood floors as an extra layer of protection against moisture and humidity.
  Practice regular maintenance: Clean your floors weekly, wipe up spills immediately, and periodically reseal and refinish them to keep them looking new. Avoid using wet mops, and use a damp microfiber cloth with a wood floor cleaner instead.
  Allow new floors to acclimate: Allow your new wood floors to acclimate to the temperature inside your home and the humidity levels before you install them. Once they’re installed, ensure proper ventilation in areas of your home where moisture can build up, like kitchens and bathrooms.
  Check your plumbing: Regularly inspect your plumbing for any leaks in the pipes and appliances that could get your floors wet.

Contact Hernandez Wholesale Flooring: Your Trusted Wood Flooring Experts

Hernandez Wholesale Flooring is a knowledgeable provider of high-quality wood flooring solutions for homeowners and businesses in the Los Angeles area. We provide exceptional products, fair prices, and professional services to give your home a fabulous upgrade. If you want to learn more or you’re ready to start your next flooring project, contact us today!