Everything You Need to Know About Cleaning Hardwood Flooring

There are many benefits to installing (or uncovering) hardwood floors in your home- from its longevity to its durability; it’s hard to go wrong with hardwoods. Refinishing your flooring is inevitable with how long hardwood floors can last. So, whether you’re facing that project now or later, we’ve got the details on refinishing hardwood flooring (and we’re here to share them with you). It can be daunting, so we’ve broken the process up into various steps for you below.

Cleaning and Set-up

Before you begin, it’s important to check the entire floor first. If there are any gaps in the floor where nails are visible, don’t bother trying to refinish it at all. You’ll also want to take a look at the thickness of the wood. Some newer hardwood floors are only about ¼ inch thick. If you have a floor like this, it can’t be sanded at all or you might wear through the whole floor!

First thing’s first- if you’re removing carpeting or another flooring on top of your hardwoods you’ll want to cut the flooring into sections to remove it. Then clean the floor thoroughly, removing as much dirt and debris as possible. Make sure there are no protruding nail heads that could tear the sandpaper.

Sanding

Cover up any doors or areas of the house that dust could fly into while you’re sanding. Then, attach a 20-grit sandpaper to your sander and begin sanding the entire floor thoroughly. Then, go over your work again with the edge sander, and finally with a power buffer. After you’ve sanded the entire floor three times, use an industrial-grade vacuum to get rid of the dust particles.

The Finish

Now that you’re done sanding and cleaning, it’s time for the big finish. Choose whatever sealant you prefer for the job, and start applying it all around the perimeter of the room. When the perimeter is finished, apply the sealant to the rest of the floor. Allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours, buff it with the power buffer, vacuum, and then finally, apply a second coat of sealant with the same procedure as before. Wa-la! You’re done!

While DIY’s can often be effective and save you money, it’s also important to remember that no one can do the job quite like The Steam Team!

An In-Depth Guide to Properly Refinishing Your Hardwood Floor

With hardwood floors coming back in style, you might be thinking about having it refinished. If so, follow this guide and your hardwood floor will look better than ever!

Set-up And Materials

Before you begin, it’s important to check the entire floor first. If there are any gaps in the floor where nails are visible, don’t bother trying to refinish it at all. You’ll also want to take a look at the thickness of the wood. Some newer hardwood floors are only about ¼ inch thick. If you have a floor like this, it can’t be sanded at all or you might wear through the whole floor!

Refinishing an entire hardwood floor is a big job, and you’ll need a lot of materials. We won’t list them all here, but be sure to do a quick internet search and write down a list of all the materials you’ll need.

Cleaning And Sanding

First, cut the flooring into sections to remove the top layer of flooring, revealing the hardwood underneath. Then clean the floor thoroughly, removing as much dirt and debris as possible. Make sure there are no protruding nail heads that could tear the sandpaper. Cover up any doors or areas of the house that dust could fly into while you’re sanding. Then, attach a 20-grit sandpaper to your sander and begin sanding the entire floor thoroughly. Then, go over your work again with the edge sander, and finally with a power buffer. After you’ve sanded the entire floor three times, use an industrial-grade vacuum to get rid of the dust particles.

The Finish

Now that you’re done sanding and cleaning, it’s time for the big finish. Choose whatever sealant you prefer for the job, and start applying it all around the perimeter of the room. When the perimeter is finished, apply the sealant to the rest of the floor. Allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours, buff it with the power buffer, vacuum, and then finally, apply a second coat of sealant with the same procedure as before, and then you’re done!

While DIY’s can often be effective and save you money, it’s also important to remember that no one can do the job quite like The Steam Team!

The Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a main choice among homeowners for its aesthetic appeal, and other benefits. We’ll go over hardwood floorings pros and cons to help you decide which type of flooring you’d like installed in your own home!

The Pro’s:

Maintenance

For the most part, it’s pretty easy to care for hardwood flooring. They’re durable and can last a long time if cared for properly. And typically proper care means sweeping vacuuming, and polishing with a wood cleaner. Easy peasy!

Value

Did you know that homes with hardwood floors tend to sell faster and easier than homes with carpeting? It’s true! Buyers are willing to pay the most for homes with hardwood flooring installed.

Style Options

Hardwood flooring looks great with all types of decorating, and matches any color scheme! Hardwood floor is also available in many different styles itself, from oak, to cherry, and others. You’ll have no problem finding a style you adore for your home.

The Con’s:

Noise

Simply put, hardwood floor can unfortunately be very noisy. This is especially true if you’re on the second or third floor of an apartment, living with a pet! But don’t worry; there are things we can do to muffle the sound. Place area rugs around your home; these are especially helpful for changing the look of a room, or providing cushioning to family members who are prone to falling (like children).

Cost

Well friends, unfortunately, installing wood flooring is a costly option. And it’s no project to DIY; often it involves the help of professionals, so labor costs will increase your overall bill.

Requires Occasional Refinishing

Occasionally, floors will need to be refinished. Once they’ve been scuffed or scratched, or have started to fade, they’re ready for a refinishing! This is also a con because hiring a professional company to refinish your hardwood floors could be costly.

Contact The Steam Team for all of your hardwood flooring needs! We have all of the right equipment needed for the job, and you’ll love our results!

Why Should You Refinish Your Hardwood Floors?

Do you think it may be time to refinish your hardwood flooring? Are there scratches, discoloration, or warped boards? Some boards may need to be replaced in certain cases, but ultimately, refinishing your hardwood floors can have a lot of perks! Come on, you know you want to keep reading!

Hardwood Floor Refinishing:

Changes the Look of the Room

Obviously broken boards and discolored areas are going to become eyesores. But when you refinish your hardwood flooring, these eyesores disappear, and you’re left with a better looking flooring. This has the potential to change the look and aesthetic of the entire room! So if you’re in need of a change, consider having your floors refinished… it could do you a lot of good!

Restores Flooring

Hardwood floor refinishing helps to restore your flooring to its original condition, and it can all be done by the professionals! You don’t have to DIY this project or even lift a finger (unless you’re lifting your finger to call The Steam Team….). Once that initial call is made, you’re on your way to a better looking flooring- and room!

Elongates the Flooring’s Lifespan

Hardwood floor refinishing helps your floors to last longer, since refinishing essentially revamps your flooring! You’ll be surprised at the results of a professional cleaning and restoration company. We can restore your flooring to its original condition (or change it entirely), and help elongate its lifespan! You’ll be so happy that you reached out to a professional, because you’ll have professional results.

Ready for your floors to be refinished? Contact The Steam Team for all of your hardwood flooring needs! We can help refinish your hardwood, replace warped or broken boards, and ultimately restore it to its original condition! We’re only a phone call away; give The Steam Team a call today! You won’t regret it, that’s for sure!

How Does Cleaning Effect Hardwood Flooring?

Do you have hardwood flooring in your home? Perhaps it’s cleaning day, and you’re wondering which method you should use! While we usually promote steam cleaning as the number one method of cleaning, we won’t be doing that this time around! In fact, hardwood flooring is a naturally absorbent material, and since steam cleaning uses a lot of water, it can cause a lot of damage. Let’s take a look at what exactly happens when we steam clean hardwood floors.

What is Steam Cleaning?

First, let’s explain how steam cleaning, or hot water extraction, is used to tidy up our homes. It uses nothing but hot water and extreme pressure to eradicate dirt, dust, grime- you name it! It extracts these nasty materials from many different types of flooring and surfaces- carpet, natural stone, tile, and even the infamous, hard-to-reach grout! It’s completely safe for the environment and won’t leave behind any residue at all. This is why we typically encourage you to steam clean your home!

How Does Steam Cleaning Effect Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is simply too absorbent! A steam cleaner’s vapor can reach deep down into cracks and crevices of flooring, but when it’s used on hardwood flooring, it can cause many problems in the future, such as warping, molding, or plumping. We certainly don’t want your beautiful hardwood floors to be damaged, so it’s wise to use a different method (and yes- even try to avoid steam cleaners that are “safe,” for hardwood floors; you just never know!).

If your floors are looking dull and your normal cleaning routine is no longer cutting it, contact The Steam Team! We have the best products available to clean and restore your hardwood floors to their original condition without harming them. So don’t hesitate- give us a call today!

The Pros and Cons of Hardwood Floors Austin Texas

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

There are a variety of pros and cons when it comes to all types of flooring, but today, we’re talking about hardwood floors. They’re a beautiful and practical addition to a home and, unlike other flooring, they last for decades upon decades. Like other flooring, however, they do require a bit of TLC over the years to keep them looking as brilliant as they did in the beginning. That’s what we’re here for -- the experts on cleaning all types of flooring -- we have a few tips up our sleeves for keeping those hardwoods clean and cared for over the years and when you may need to refinish them.

Occasional Spills and Other Every Day Messes

Messes cannot be avoided altogether; they’re inevitable- but it’s critical (especially for hardwood floors) that they be cleaned up immediately. The longer they’re left, the harder they will be to clean up and the higher the chance of damage to the flooring.

When it comes to dirt, dust, and other grime, it’s best to try and eliminate as much as you can as often as you can. Sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting are great options for cleaning these particles up on a regular basis.

Wear, Tear, and Damage With Age

With such a long lifetime, hardwood floors can take a lot of wear and tear over the years. Furniture can cause damage to the flooring if it’s moved improperly or heavy objects are dropped or dragged across the floor -- even though it’s incredibly durable, it will start to show damage the longer the wood lasts. In more extreme cases, it may be time to refinish your hardwood flooring depending on the type of damage it’s undergone.

If you have any questions or just want to speak to a flooring expert about your floors, don’t hesitate to give us a call here at The Steam Team! For expert hardwood floor cleaning call The Steam Team today. 

How Effective is Steam Cleaning?

Rug Cleaning

Maybe you’ve heard about the impressive qualities of a steam cleaner, and the even more outstanding results that it delivers. But you may be wondering… Just how effective is steam cleaning? What’s so special about it? It’s normal to feel skeptical about changing your routine! That’s why we’re going to review a few of steam cleaning’s most impressive qualities, and why it may be beneficial to have your home professionally cleaned.

1. Deep Cleaning

If you or another member of your household has allergies or asthma, you’ll appreciate the power and intensity of a thorough steam cleaning. The process easily removes dust mites and allergens from your home, allowing you to breathe easier, and live healthier!

1. Chemical-Free

Other household cleaning products may leave behind residue that lingers in our environment, potentially harming our health. However, steam cleaning will thoroughly remove dust and debris from your carpet and/or furniture without the use of chemicals! You won’t find any leftover residue or markings.

1. Knocks Out Mold

Mold- it spawns, it spreads, it destroys everything in its path! When handling a mold issue, the most important thing you can do is to act quickly. Once you’ve contacted your local cleaning and restoration company, the rest is up to the professionals. With intense heat and high pressure, a steam cleaner is the perfect tool for removing mold from your home.

Steam cleaning can be effective in many different situations. It’s perfect for dealing with pesky, stubborn stains, removing unwanted odors, or regular, routine deep cleaning. Choose steam cleaning over dry mopping for a thorough cleaning that you can trust.

And remember, if you’re looking for a professional touch, be sure to give The Steam Team a call today! We have all of the right tools and equipment to help your home look brand new again!