GENERAL CARE & MAINTENANCE
Flooring should be one of the last items installed in a project. In order to protect the floors while other trades are finishing their work prior to final cleanup and turnover to the owner, use a breathable protective covering such as Ram Board. Do not use Red Rosin paper, as it may discolor the finish, and do not use polyfilm or other non-breathing coverings as they can cause the floor to become damaged from humidity buildup. Clean the floor thoroughly before laying the covering to ensure that no debris is trapped underneath. Tape pieces of protective covering together but do not tape them to the wood flooring.
Place walk-off mats at all entrances to help collect dirt and debris that could damage or dull the flooring finish.
Install felt floor protectors underneath all furniture.
In areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and spaces where food service occurs, top-coating a urethane-coated floor will help prevent against moisture damage. In heavy food service areas such as restaurants, two to three top-coats may be required. Contact Integrity Floors for advice on how to top-coat the specific flooring product you have selected.
Do not allow people to wear spiked heels on the floor, which will damage even the hardest wood floors and finishes.
Pet claws should be properly trimmed at all times.
Work boots and shoes that may have pebbles lodged in the soles should be removed prior to entering.
Sweep or vacuum frequently.
All mats or rugs should be cleaned on a regular basis. They should also be moved occasionally to allow natural color changes caused by light to occur evenly in all areas.
Never wet-mop your floor, and always clean up spills and standing water as soon as possible. With water or any other cleaning agent, be sure to thoroughly ring out the applicator or mop prior to applying it to the floor. A damp mop is fine as long as the moisture is limited to an amount that will evaporate almost immediately. Moisture that is allowed to seep into the seams between the planks may cause damage to your flooring. Do not allow soiled mats or rugs to stay on the floor as they can trap moisture on the surface.