Being a fairly expensive investment for home owners, floors need to stay looking sharp for a very long time. We haven't come across too many people who have wanted to replace their three-year-old tile floor with a new one just for the fun of it. That would be ridiculous, and should never become a necessity. However, neglecting you floor can leave you with a surface that you may desperately want to replace and will shorten its life as well. To avoid that outcome, here are a few ways to make your floor last a very long, clean, beautiful life.
1. Clean, clean, clean!
We cannot stress this one enough! Not cleaning your floor will leave it vulnerable to grit that can wear it down the finish, produce scratches, and dull the sheen. Research what cleaning method will work best for the type of floor you have (we have plenty of articles for cleaning every type of floor you can imagine) and then be diligent about cleaning regularly.
2. Refinish your grout!
Because tile floors are often found in areas of the house where spills are inevitable, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways, many people don't think twice about the damage water might cause to these floors. While the tiles themselves might be fine, your grout is highly susceptible to water damage. Grout is a porous material that will soak up water and eventually affect the rest of your floor. To avoid these issues you should refinish your grout about once a year.
3. Rearrange your room!
Leaving all of your heavy furniture in the same place for too long puts a lot of pressure on your floor and encourages foot traffic to form in the same places. This can leave dents and wear on your floor, and will flatten your carpet padding over time. By rearranging your furniture often, you will wear down your floor in a more natural-looking, uniform fashion that will keep your floor nice and even.
4. Invest in rugs!
Carpets and area rugs aren't just statement pieces to make your room look fabulous! They also are champions at protecting your hard-surface flooring from dents, scratches, and wear. By adding a nice rug to your decor, you will not only enhance the presentation of your hardwood, vinyl, laminate, or tile, but will also ensure plenty of extra years of use from your floor.
5. Pay attention to your pet!
You love your pets, and they're just as much a part of your household as your floor is. Unfortunately, pets are the natural enemy of just about every kind of flooring. It is important that your pets are properly house trained, cleaned, and manicured to avoid damage from mess and their claws. If you need to reach out to a professional trainer, do it! Your floors will thank you!
6. Make Repairs Immediately!
To save time and money, repair any damage or trouble spots in your floor as soon as you find them. Waiting could worsen the damage and, as you might have guessed from the overall theme of this article, shorten the lifespan of your floor. Most problems are not as difficult to fix as they might look, so roll up your sleeves, do a bit of research, and get the job done to get your floor in tip-top shape!