About Parkay Flooring
Parkay floors can be a beautiful addition to your home, potentially even increasing its value. But, parkay flooring needs very regular care and maintenance to continue to look beautiful and there are a few things you may want to know about parkay flooring in order to know how to clean and protect it.
Spills
If you have any liquid spills on your parkay floor, it is important to clean it up straight away. Dampness is wood’s biggest enemy and the thing about parkay flooring is that it will start to warp, split and crack if the dampness remains. Once this happens, there will be no other alternative than to replace the broken pieces of your floor, which can be costly and very difficult.
Traffic
Parkay flooring scratches easily. It is important to ask people to remove their shoes before stepping on your floor, and this is particularly important for those people who wear shoes with any kind of heel. Certain heavy shoes or shoes with high heels can actually cause a gash in your floor. Many people who have dogs may also choose to have knitted socks placed on their paws. In very high traffic areas, it is advisable to lay some runners or rugs, but please do remember to clean these regularly as dirt trapped underneath the rugs can also scratch the floor.
Furniture
Here are some tips about parkay flooring and furniture:
- Always ensure that furniture is fitted with pads or gliders, so that any movement that takes place does not scratch the floor.
- If at all possible, move any furniture by picking it up rather than dragging it across the floor, even if you have gliders installed.
Cleaning
Parkay flooring needs to be cleaned correctly. It is best to use soft bristled brooms to regularly sweep the floor, or use dust or dry rope mops. Do not use hard bristled brooms or wet mops as these can cause scratches and warping. For very persistent spots of dirt, use a non abrasive cleaner. Vacuuming should be done no more than twice a week and you need to make sure that your vacuum does not have any pieces of dirt attached to it, which may cause the floor to get scratched. It is best to use the soft brush attachment on your Hoover if at all possible.
Maintenance
Your manufacturer should have told you all about parkay flooring and how to maintain it. Many kinds of parkay flooring need regular buffing or waxing. However, it is important to check whether this is the case with your specific floor, as using wax or buffering on wood that does not require it can actually damage the floor. The manufacturer should also have given you instructions on what to do in case of scratches or changes of colour. If necessary, you may have to reapply finish to the wood, but again only if this has been recommended.
Having parkay flooring in your home can be an incredibly beautiful addition to your house, but you do need to know about parkay flooring and how to care and maintain it.
