The effects of weather on your flooring
If you have hardwood or laminate flooring then you may be surprised to hear that fluctuations in temperature can affect them.
These types of flooring are porous and expand and contract alongside changes in heat and humidity. If the weather is very warm we tend to turn on the air conditioning, if it is cold outside we tend to turn on the heating. Heat causes porous materials to expand, whilst cooler conditions cause them to contract.
Humidity can also adversely affect your hardwood and laminate floors. If the humidity levels in your home reach around sixty percent then moisture may seep into the floor boards and cause them to swell. In turn, this can result in boards warping, lifting, or cupping. When the humidity levels in your home decrease this swelling is then reduced. This cycle is repeated with each change in the seasons, causing repeated damaged as time goes on.
Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to protect your laminate and hardwood flooring from fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Make sure that you use minimal amounts of liquid when cleaning your flooring, and never mop hardwood or laminate floors with water. Also, don’t clean your floors with water-based products on a daily basis. All these steps will reduce the amount of humidity that your floors are exposed to.
Monitor the amount of humidity in your home. If humidity levels get to over sixty percent then use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to bring these levels down.
In general, the amount of moisture that your floors are subjected to, and the humidity in your home play an important role in keeping your hardwood and laminate floors looking their best. Keep both of these to a minimum and your flooring should look in tip top condition for many years to come.
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