Question 1

What humidity should I keep my house at for hardwood?

Accepted Answer

Maintain your home's relative humidity between 30-50% year-round to protect your hardwood floors. This range prevents the wood from expanding and contracting excessively, which can cause gaps, cupping, or crowning.

Winter humidity control is especially critical in Ottawa's climate. During our cold winters, heated indoor air becomes very dry, often dropping below 20% humidity. This causes hardwood to shrink and can create noticeable gaps between boards. Run a whole-home humidifier or portable un

Question 2

Does adding area rugs protect hardwood or trap moisture?

Accepted Answer

Area rugs generally protect hardwood floors when used properly, but they can trap moisture if not managed correctly. The key is choosing the right rugs and maintaining proper ventilation underneath.

Protection Benefits: Quality area rugs shield your hardwood from scratches, dents, and UV fading - especially valuable in high-traffic areas like entryways and living rooms. They're particularly effective at protecting floors from furniture legs, pet claws, and dropped objects. In Ottawa's climate w

Question 3

Can I use a Swiffer wet jet on hardwood floors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use a Swiffer WetJet on sealed hardwood floors, but with important precautions. The key is ensuring your hardwood has a proper polyurethane or similar protective finish and using the right technique.

Proper Use on Hardwood

The Swiffer WetJet is generally safe for sealed hardwood because it uses minimal moisture and the cleaning solution evaporates quickly. However, you should never allow any standing water to remain on hardwood surfaces. Always ensure the floor dries completely wi

Question 4

How do we properly clean salt residue off hardwood without damaging the finish?

Accepted Answer

Salt residue from winter road salt can damage hardwood finishes if not cleaned properly, but the right approach will safely remove it without harming your floors.

The key is using a diluted vinegar solution rather than harsh chemicals or excessive water. Mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water - this creates a mildly acidic solution that dissolves salt crystals without stripping your floor's protective finish. Never use straight vinegar, as it's too acidic and can dull or dam

Question 5

What's the best way to protect floors during winter with kids and wet boots?

Accepted Answer

The key is creating effective barrier zones at all entrances and choosing durable, water-resistant flooring materials that can handle Ottawa's harsh winter conditions.

Winter protection starts with strategic entrance management. Place large, absorbent mats both outside and inside every door - the rule is having at least 6-8 feet of matting to capture moisture and salt before it reaches your main flooring. Rubber-backed mats work best as they won't slip and can handle heavy moisture loads. Consi

Question 6

How often should hardwood be recoated in a high-traffic home?

Accepted Answer

Hardwood floors in high-traffic homes typically need recoating every 3-5 years, compared to 5-7 years for average-use homes. The exact timing depends on your floor's finish type, traffic patterns, and how well you maintain the floors.

Water-based polyurethane finishes generally show wear faster and may need recoating every 3-4 years in busy households with kids, pets, or heavy foot traffic through main areas like entryways, kitchens, and hallways. Oil-based polyurethane is more durable and can

Question 7

The area by our front door looks dull and worn from years of tracked-in salt — can that be spot-fixed or does the entire floor need refinishing?

Accepted Answer

Spot repairs are often possible for salt damage near entryways, but the success depends on how deeply the salt has penetrated the wood and whether you can achieve a color match with the rest of your floor.

Salt damage typically creates white or grayish stains where the salt has drawn moisture from the wood and left mineral deposits. If the damage is only surface-level discoloration, a professional can often sand just that area, apply matching stain, and blend the finish with the surrounding flo

Question 8

How do I remove winter salt stains from LVP?

Accepted Answer

Winter salt stains on LVP can be removed with a simple vinegar solution or specialized floor cleaner, but acting quickly prevents permanent damage to the protective wear layer.

Salt residue from winter boots creates white, chalky stains on luxury vinyl plank flooring that can dull the surface if left untreated. The key is using the right cleaning approach that won't damage LVP's protective coating while effectively dissolving the mineral deposits.

Start with a vinegar solution - mix one cup of

Question 9

The LVP near the entry constantly gets hit with salt and grit — how do we prevent long-term edge damage?

Accepted Answer

Luxury vinyl plank edges are vulnerable to salt and grit damage, but proper protection and maintenance can prevent long-term deterioration. The key is creating barriers and establishing cleaning routines that remove corrosive materials before they can penetrate seams or wear down the wear layer.

Entry mats are your first line of defense - place both exterior and interior mats to capture salt and debris before it reaches your LVP. Use a coarse outdoor mat for initial scraping and an absorbent in

Question 10

How do we prevent furniture dents on vinyl plank?

Accepted Answer

Furniture dents on vinyl plank flooring are preventable with the right protective measures and proper installation techniques. While vinyl plank is more resilient than hardwood, heavy furniture can still create permanent indentations, especially on softer vinyl products.

Furniture pads are your first line of defense. Use felt pads under all furniture legs, choosing pads that are slightly larger than the furniture foot. For heavy items like pianos, refrigerators, or sectional sofas, upgrade to f

Question 11

Is it true that laminate cannot be refinished? What happens when it gets scratched?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's absolutely true - laminate flooring cannot be refinished like hardwood. Laminate has a protective wear layer on top of a photographic image, so sanding would destroy the floor's appearance entirely.

When laminate gets scratched, your repair options depend on the severity of the damage. Minor surface scratches can often be addressed with laminate repair kits that include color-matched putty or markers - these work well for small scratches and scuffs that don't go through the wear layer

Question 12

My old subfloor has some soft spots - should I repair or replace it before installing new floors?

Accepted Answer

You absolutely need to address those soft spots before installing any new flooring. Soft spots indicate moisture damage, rot, or structural weakness that will only get worse and could cause your new floors to fail prematurely.

Identifying the extent of damage is the first step. Soft spots in subfloor are typically caused by water damage from leaks, poor ventilation, or moisture infiltration. A licensed contractor should inspect the affected areas to determine if the damage is surface-level or e

Question 13

My dog has scratched up my hardwood - will luxury vinyl plank (LVP) hold up better with large dogs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, luxury vinyl plank will definitely hold up much better with large dogs than traditional hardwood flooring. LVP is specifically engineered to resist scratches, dents, and moisture damage that pets commonly cause.

Scratch and Dent Resistance: LVP has a protective wear layer (typically 12-20 mil for residential) that's much more resistant to pet claws than hardwood's surface finish. Even large dogs running and playing won't easily scratch quality LVP. The rigid core construction also resists

Question 14

What flooring shows the least dust, pet hair, and dirt between cleanings?

Accepted Answer

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and sheet vinyl show the least dust, pet hair, and dirt between cleanings due to their completely smooth, non-porous surfaces that don't trap particles like textured or grouted floors do.

Smooth vinyl flooring is the clear winner for hiding everyday mess. The seamless surface means dust and pet hair sit on top rather than settling into grooves or texture, making them less visible until your next cleaning. Unlike laminate with its beveled edges or tile with grout lines,

Question 15

My floors have deep scratches and dents - will refinishing fix them all?

Accepted Answer

Refinishing can fix most scratches and many dents, but not all damage. The key factor is whether the damage goes through the wood or just affects the finish layer.

Surface scratches that only go through the polyurethane finish will completely disappear during refinishing. These are the white or light-colored marks you see that don't catch your fingernail when you run it across them. Deeper scratches that go into the wood itself will be significantly reduced but may still be faintly visible afte

Question 16

My stairs creak under the carpet. Will replacing the carpet fix the noise?

Accepted Answer

Replacing the carpet alone will not fix creaking stairs - the noise is coming from the stair structure underneath, not the carpet itself. The carpet is actually helping to muffle the creaks that would be even more noticeable on bare wood.

Stair creaks are typically caused by loose connections between the stair treads (the horizontal part you step on) and the risers (vertical back part), or between the treads and the stringers (side supports). Over time, the nails or screws holding these compone

Question 17

We have small kids and a messy household - what floor is easiest to clean?

Accepted Answer

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or waterproof laminate are your best friends with small kids - they're 100% waterproof, scratch-resistant, and can handle spills, muddy shoes, and toy drops without permanent damage.

Luxury vinyl plank tops the list for busy families because it's completely waterproof, not just water-resistant. Juice spills, potty training accidents, and tracked-in snow won't penetrate the surface or seep into seams. Modern LVP looks incredibly realistic - many guests can't tell the dif

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