One of the most valuable things about any home is its hardwood floors. Homeowners love them because they are naturally beautiful, last a long time, and never go out of style. But even the best hardwood floors will start to show signs of wear over time. Every day, people walk on your floors, pets run around on them, furniture moves around, and the weather affects how they look and how well they protect themselves.
The good news is? Sanding and refinishing can bring back the beauty of most hardwood floors. The most important thing is to see the warning signs before small problems turn into big ones. This guide will show you the most important signs that your hardwood floors need to be professionally refinished. This will help you protect your investment and keep your home looking beautiful.
Scratches and damage to the surface that can be seen
Hardwood floors will show signs of wear and tear over time. Pet claws clicking on the surface, furniture legs scraping when you move things around, and high heels all make scratches that build up over time. Toys, things that fall on the floor, and even sand or dirt that gets tracked in from outside can all hurt the surface.
Not all scratches need to be fixed right away. You can often buff out or fix minor surface scratches that only affect the top layer of finish. However, if the gouges go all the way through the finish and into the wood, it’s time to have a professional sand and refinish the wood.
You can check how deep the scratch is by running your fingernail over it. If your nail gets stuck in the groove, the scratch probably goes deeper into the wood and needs to be fixed by a pro. Refinishing can get rid of most scratches on the surface and make your floors look smooth and perfect again.
Fading and changing color
When sunlight comes in through windows, it makes the room look nice, but UV rays slowly bleach hardwood floors. Areas close to big windows, sliding doors, or skylights often show obvious color differences from the rest of the room that is in the shade.
Another common problem with color is water stains. Drinks, watering plants, or cleaning accidents can leave dark spots or rings on your floors. If you don’t clean up pet messes right away, they could leave stains that last forever. Over time, these different causes of discoloration make your floors look uneven and patchy, which takes away from their natural beauty.
Professional refinishing takes off the damaged top layer and adds new stain to bring back the same color throughout your space. This process can change rooms in a big way, bringing back the rich, even tones that make hardwood floors so beautiful.
Loss of Sheen or Wear on the Finish
The protective finish on hardwood floors makes them shine and keeps the wood safe from stains and moisture. When this finish starts to wear off, the floors look dull and lifeless, and no amount of cleaning can bring them back to life.
Finish wear usually shows up first in places with a lot of foot traffic, like hallways, kitchen walkways, and entryways. These areas may look very different from areas that aren’t used as much, which could cause your floors to have an uneven sheen pattern. The National Wood Flooring Association says that wood with a worn finish is more likely to get damaged by water and stains that won’t come out.
Your floors are at risk of every spill, tracked-in moisture, and change in humidity in the environment once the protective finish wears off. Refinishing these areas brings back the beautiful shine that makes hardwood floors shine and the protective barrier.
Stains or damage from water
One of the worst things for hardwood floors is water. Water can get into wood fibers through leaking appliances, sinks that are too full, or even too much mopping. The results can be anything from dark stains to more serious structural problems, like cupping, where the edges of the boards rise higher than the center.
Pet accidents need to be cleaned up right away, but even then, the smells and stains may last for a long time. Also, plant pots that don’t have good drainage protection can leave ring-shaped water marks that go deep into the wood.
The Environmental Protection Agency notes that moisture issues in homes should be fixed within 24 to 48 hours to keep them from getting worse. If your home has already been damaged by water, a professional can tell you if sanding and refinishing will fix the problem or if you need to replace the boards.
Rough or splintery texture
Hardwood floors that are smooth should feel nice to walk on and be safe to walk on barefoot. When the protective finish wears off or the wood fibers start to lift, the floors become rough and splintery, which can be dangerous.
This roughness is especially dangerous for kids and pets who play on the floor. The wood’s protective finish has worn off, and small splinters can hurt people.
Professional sanding gets rid of the damaged top layer and any fibers that are sticking out, leaving a perfectly smooth surface for the new finish to be applied. This process gets rid of safety risks and brings back the luxurious feel of well-kept hardwood floors.
Boards that squeak or are loose
Squeaky floors are a sign that the boards may have moved or come loose over time. Some squeaking may be caused by the wood expanding and contracting with the seasons, but if the noise keeps happening when you walk, it means there are structural problems that need to be fixed.
When boards are loose, they can leave spaces that collect dirt and other things, which makes cleaning harder. They could also mean that the subfloor or installation is having problems that could get worse if they aren’t fixed.
Refinishing projects are a great time to fix loose boards and other small structural problems. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors says that if squeaks don’t go away after refinishing, you should hire a professional to look for problems that may be causing them.
Hardship Cleaning the Floors
If you use the right products and methods, cleaning well-kept hardwood floors shouldn’t be too hard. If dirt and grime seem to get stuck in the wood even after you clean it regularly, it usually means the finish has failed.
When the protective finish wears off, dirt can get stuck in the wood grain, making it almost impossible to clean thoroughly. This dirt that is stuck in the floor makes it look dirty all the time, which takes away from the natural beauty of the floors.
A fresh finish makes a surface that is sealed and keeps dirt and moisture out, which makes regular cleaning much easier. Most spills and dirt that gets tracked in will wipe away easily after refinishing, so your floors will stay looking great with little effort.
How old the current finish is
Even floors that look good may need to be refinished just because they are old. Most finishes for hardwood floors last between 7 and 10 years with normal use, but this can change depending on how many people walk on them, how well they are cared for, and the weather.
Checking older floors on a regular basis can help you spot signs of wear before they become big problems. Refinishing your floors before they get too bad is often cheaper than waiting until they do, and it also helps your floors last longer.
Based on your specific situation and how you use your floors, professional floor contractors can look at the condition of your floors and suggest the best time to refinish them.
The advantages of refinishing hardwood floors
There are many good reasons to refinish hardwood floors instead of replacing them. It usually costs 25% to 50% less than putting in new flooring, so it’s a good choice for homeowners on a tight budget.
The change in appearance can be very big. Refinishing floors that looked old and worn can make them look brand new. Realtor.com says that quality hardwood floors are still one of the most sought-after features in a home, and this improvement often raises the value of the home by a lot.
Refinishing is also good for the environment. Restoring old materials cuts down on waste and keeps the environment safe from the effects of cutting down new trees. This eco-friendly approach fits with the fact that more and more people are becoming aware of their environmental responsibilities.
When to Get Help from the Pros
If you notice these warning signs early, you can fix problems before they get worse. If you take care of scratches, water damage, and finish wear right away, you can avoid more serious damage that might need board replacement instead of just refinishing.
Don’t let small problems turn into big ones. Rapid Dry can help you figure out the best way to handle your situation, whether that means spot treatment, full refinishing, or more extensive repairs.
Rapid Dry has the tools, knowledge, and experience to get results that DIY methods can’t. They can also find problems that homeowners might not be able to see, which helps them come up with long-lasting, all-encompassing solutions.
About Rapid Dry
We are committed to giving our community the best cleaning services.
We offer the best cleaning, water, fire, and mold restoration services to people in Buffalo whose lives have been changed by emergencies. We know how stressful these situations can be for our clients, so we offer them helpful, caring services when they need them most.
When you call Rapid Dry, you’ve reached the best water removal experts in New York. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to build this reputation. We take pride in our customer service and only hire technicians who have been background-checked and completed their extensive training with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Our emergency crews are ready to help at any time of day or night.
Call Rapid Dry today for professional hardwood floor refinishing services. Our skilled team can look at the state of your floors and suggest the best way to fix them up and protect your investment.
A fire in your home can mean tragedy for many reasons. Your home is filled with the most important things in your life; your memories, pets, and most importantly, your family.Preventing a fire can be as easy as making sure your stove is turned off. Sometimes nothing can be done to prevent a fire, but with a few tips, you may be able to stop something horrible from happening.
Turn Your Stove Off – A small accident can send your home up in flames in a matter of minutes. By checking to make sure you turned your stove off everytime you leave your house, you will be able to have peace of mind that your house will be okay.
Unplug – Make sure that when you are done with your curling iron, that you turn it off, or better yet, pull the plug out of the wall. This will make it easier to remember that you turned it off because it takes a more active thought to pull something out of the wall than it does to remember if you turned it off.
Blow Out The Candles – Having a good smelling house is a great feeling, but leaving a candle lit when you leave the house is a bad idea. It just takes one small event to happen to potentially catch something else on fire and come home from work to a house that is burned to the ground.
Pay attention to the items in your home. If it is something that gets hot, make sure it is turned off or blown out before you leave. If you do end up having a fire and need someone to help get your home back to normal, give Performance Plus a call at 585-252-5929.
The last thing you want to deal with when you are out of town on a trip is a call that your house is flooded. Believe it or not, this happens all the time and can destroy everything in your home. There are several things you can do to make sure that this does not happen to you. By being proactive about your home’s potential for water damage, you can keep it from happening at all with these tips.
Before you leave your home for an extended amount of time, take a look around. Walk into all your bathrooms and look under the sink to see if there is any water damage or even leaking water dripping. This is an easy way to make sure you aren’t leaving when a pipe is planning on bursting soon. If you find yourself with a leaking pipe, call a plumber out right away. It is better to run a little late for your trip than come home to a flooded home.
Something really easy you can do is let a trusted friend, family or neighbor know that you will be leaving for a few days. This will let them know that they need to check on your home every so often to make sure that everything looks okay. That way at least if something decides to go wrong, they will notice it and be able to call someone out to fix it before it becomes a major problem that could destroy your home.
Turn your water off before you leave for a few days. If you know that no one is going to be at your house while you are gone, find the on/off switch and turn it to off. This will give you peace of mind that no water will be coming on or bursting while you are off doing your own thing.
Water damage can destroy a home but, if you are careful, maybe it can be prevented. If it cannot be prevented and you find yourself in a situation where you need help cleaning up, call Performance Plus at (585) 308-2264 and we will take the best care of you and your home that we can.
If a flash flood is coming your way or an appliance has overflowed, one of the first things you want to do is protect your belongings. While this is a normal instinct, sometimes there isn’t enough time. But if the area you live in is prone to floods, compiling an inventory of your belongings and waterproofing/making copies of your documents is essential. However, for situations where there isn’t sufficient time, there are tips on how to protect your belongings when there is a flood.
Move Items
If you live in a two-story home or have areas in your home that are higher off the ground, move important belongings or electronics to those areas. This can include furniture, antiques, TVs, rugs, and other items that are worth a lot.
Cover Up Belongings
For furniture or other belongings that are too heavy or you don’t have the time to move, consider covering up these items with plastic wrap. If you don’t have plastic wrap, you can try using another waterproof material.
Backup Computer
If you have important photos, documents, or other things on your computer you want to save, either back up your computer or save it to a flash drive and keep it with you.
These are just a few ways on how to protect your belongings when there is a flood. If you’ve experienced a flood in your home or business and need flood restoration in Rochester or Buffalo, NY, call the expert flood restoration technicians at Performance Plus. You can reach us at 585-252-5929. and we will come immediately. WIth our restoration services, we can get your property back in great shape.
In all likelihood, your home represents your largest investment. If it lies in the path of a major storm, you’ll want to do everything to can to secure your home against damage. Thanks to modern weather reporting, we normally have some time to prepare for major disasters like hurricanes. The next time you find yourself in the path of a dangerous storm, practice these hurricane preparation tips.
Review Your Insurance
Before the storm hits, make sure that your insurance will cover the full cost of a rebuild. Many policies will compensate for the value of the home, which may or may not cover the actual cost to rebuild. Next, take an inventory of your property to determine what you own and its total value. You can also take the opportunity to consider additional flood insurance.
Secure Your Roof
Your roof presents the biggest vulnerability throughout a storm. If it becomes compromised or fails, your home will suffer major damage. If possible, schedule an inspection before the storm to review and repair any weak spots such as missing shingles or previous wind damage.
Seal Windows and Doors
Your windows and doors have seals to prevent the intrusion of wind and rain. These can deteriorate over time, however, and should get checked before a major storm. You can likely reinforce the seals yourself to prevent sideways rain from entering your home.
These are just a few suggestions for hurricane preparation. You may also want to clear your lawn of any furniture or loose objects, secure your carport and porches, and reinforce your garage door. After the storm, if you live near Rochester or Buffalo, NY, you can count on Performance Plus for all disaster-related repairs. Feel free to call us at 585-252-5929 with any questions.
No one wants his or her business to sustain water damage. Aside from costing a lot in losses, this can also result in huge repair costs. The trick to minimizing the damage caused by water in your business is to act upon the problem as quickly as possible.
When you find that your business has water damage, you need to mitigate the situation ASAP. Here are some steps you should take when your business has water damage:
Turn off the water – If the damage is caused by a burst pipe or broken water source on site, the first thing you need to do is find the water main and to turn it off. This will stop the situation from getting worse.
Turn off power – Turning off your electricity will avoid the danger of electrocution and help prevent fires if wires and other electrical items become submerged in water.
Document the damage – Take pictures, take videos, and make a list of items that were damaged or destroyed by the deluge. Documenting your loss will help you maximize your insurance claim.
Contact your insurance provider – Calling your insurance company as soon as you discover water damage at your business is a must. You will need to file a claim for water damage to get the compensation you need for repairs and restoration, and this will help move your claim forward faster.
Remove as much water as possible – You should try to remove as much water from the area as possible. Although your insurance adjuster needs to see your place of business as it is to enable them to come to an accurate estimation of the damage, leaving standing water around will only cause more damage. Drying the area as much as possible can help save you money in repairs and restoration.
Contact Performance Plus for help – To ensure that you repair and restore your place of business the right way and without too much stress on your part, contacting a reliable restoration company should be on your list of things to do. In Rochester and Buffalo, NY, the company to contact is Performance Plus.
Get the help you need for commercial restoration for water damage by contacting an expert on remediation and restoration work. Performance Plus is a company that specializes in a variety of restoration and remediation work, both for residential and commercial. We have water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and content restoration in our list of services.
To get the help you need, don’t hesitate to contact us at 585-252-5929 today to schedule your appointment.
Mold is a naturally occurring substance in nature. It helps with the decomposition of dead substances, as well as serving as the source of penicillin, a useful medicine.
However, molds that enter your home pose a threat to individuals who are exposed to them. Not only can molds cause serious illnesses and respiratory ailments in humans, but they can also inflict structural damage to your home. To help you understand why you should take mold remediation in your home seriously, here are some of the effects molds can have when left to fester in your home:
Structural issues – Molds grow due to the presence of moisture. They also decompose and speed up the deterioration of porous materials. If molds attach themselves to wood and grow rapidly, the wood can become its food and the wood will get destroyed.
That will create serious structural issues in your home. Wood beams, walls, ceilings, and other parts of your home will need to be removed and replaced when molds take a hold of them and damage them beyond repair.
Health issues – Molds can also cause a long list of health woes in your home. Molds produce spores, which are released into the air and can cause health issues when they are inhaled or land on your skin. These can also land on your food, which can cause spoilage and possible health issues.
Those who are allergic to molds can experience itching, rashes, and other similar skin problems. Inhaling these spores can also result in health issues such as respiratory ailments, sore throat, and even headaches. These can also result in watery eyes, nasal problems, and in worse cases, lung infections.
Preventing Mold Growth in Your Home
The best solution to a mold problem is actually to prevent it from occurring in the first place. To do this, you need to know which parts of your home are prone to dampness and to address this problem head-on. For example, bathrooms are known to become very damp and can be very humid. This can bring about the growth of molds in places that you can’t see, like in the ceiling and in cracks and crevices in your bathroom. To prevent these, you need to do the following:
Dehumidify – In areas of your home that are prone to excess moisture, you need to use a dehumidifier. You can also have an exhaust fan installed for this purpose.
Dry wet areas – Areas in your home that are exposed to constant moisture like countertops and floors should be dried off whenever possible. If moisture is left on these areas, molds can grow in cracks, crevices, and in the grout.
What to Do When Mold Growth Happens
When you find mold in your home, you need to call in an expert to help remove it. Letting a professional handle this for you will ensure that not only will these growths be removed, but preventive measures will be enacted to help stop them from coming back.
Aside from getting rid of mold growth for you, we can also help you with water damage restoration, content restoration, and fire damage restoration. To get the help you need for these issues, do not hesitate to contact us at 585-252-5929 today.
Water damage can happen for a number of different reasons. It can happen to homes, offices, commercial facilities, and other establishments. It can damage not only floors but also walls, ceilings, furniture, and appliances.
Water damage is not something you should take lightly. It can even cause structural damage, which can cost you a lot in repairs. To help you handle this the right way, here are some dos and don’ts that you should remember when it comes to water damage:
DOs
Do remember to find the source of the water damage and stop the flow, if possible
Do remove as many items standing in the water as you can to prevent additional damages. These can include furniture, décor, plants, and appliances.
Do get the bottoms of drapes, curtains, and blinds out of the water if the water is deep enough to reach the bottoms of these window coverings.
Do turn off your circuit breaker if the flooding can affect electrical outlets, electrical wires in the walls and floors, or appliances that are sitting in the water.
Do try to remove as much water as you can from the area with a mop and rags.
Do try to remove any floor coverings that can be taken off the floor, such as area rugs and floor mats.
Do open doors and windows to help with the drying process. If you can, use fans to help with this as well.
Do contact Performance Plus for professional help with water damage restoration and the proper drying of the flooded area.
DON’Ts
Don’t try to suck up water with your vacuum, even if it is a wet/dry vac.
Don’t operate any electrical equipment if you are unsure of the extent of the water damage that you are experiencing.
Don’t use newspapers and other printed paper materials to absorb the water on carpets or bare floors. The ink can stain your carpets and your floors.
Don’t walk on the wet areas of your floor if you can help it. You might risk electrocution or step into contaminated water that can make you sick.
Don’t forget to contact Performance Plus as soon as possible to remedy the situation.
In Rochester and Buffalo, NY, the company you can trust to help you with your water damage restoration needs is Performance Plus. With years of experience and certified restoration specialists on hand to help, you can rest assured that your water damage problems will be dealt with properly in no time.
Aside from dealing with water damage, we also handle other restoration work that you might have. These include fire damage restoration and content restoration. We also take care of mold growth via our mold remediation services. No restoration job is too big or too small for us, so contact us at 585-252-5929 to get the help you need today.
When you notice signs of water damage in your home but choose to ignore them, you are creating the possibility of even worse damage. Not getting to the bottom of such a problem immediately can lead to even bigger issues, which will cost you more.
Failure to take action on water damage as soon as you see it can lead to:
Mold growth – Molds thrive on moisture and if you leave damp spots alone, molds will grow on them. Along with the musty smell and unsightly spots that come with mold growth is the health hazard they bring. Mold spores can trigger respiratory ailments, allergic reactions, rashes, and even more serious diseases.
Electrical issues – Water damage on your floor, ceiling, or wall could lead to an electrical fire. Excess water could also ruin appliances because of short-circuiting or cause electrocution if the water damage reaches your wiring.
Bacterial growth – When you see water damage on your floor, this may be hiding a bigger problem underneath. If a puddle has formed underneath your floorboards, it can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and parasites. This can put you and your family at risk for serious illnesses, particularly if the cause of such water damage is dirty sewer water or toilet overflow.
Structural damage – This is one of the worst results of neglected water damage. Ignoring a leak or signs of a leak n your home may result in the weakening of some of your home’s walls, floors, roof, and even its foundation.
What to Do When You Notice Water Damage
As soon as you see signs of a leak or drip that can lead to water damage, get to the bottom of this problem immediately. Turn off your water main, investigate where the water damage comes from, and contact Performance Plus as soon as possible. We are the company to trust for water damage solutions to homes in Rochester and Buffalo, NY.
Aside from water damage restoration, we can also help you with mold remediation and content restoration. We can also help you take care of basement flooding, dehumidification, and sewage removal. All you need to do is to contact us at 585-252-5929 and schedule a free estimate for your repair and restoration needs.
Have you Ever Experienced a Water Emergency At Home?This includes burst pipes, overflown toilets or sinks, leaking washing machines, and any sort of indoor flooding. Do you know that there are a few steps you can take to minimize the damage until a repair and cleanup crew can arrive?Today we will discuss a few ways you can handle some basic home water emergencies.
Turn Off The Water
If you experience a water emergency that happens due to a plumbing mishap, it is essential that you remember to shut off the source of the water. If you have a sink, toilet, or appliance flooding, chances are that you can turn off the water with a valve located near the area. turning off this valve should stop the water, but allow you to use water in other areas of the house. If a main line has burst, or if you have a broken pipe elsewhere, you will likely need to shut off the water to the house. Your main water line valve is locate outside the home, either close to the side of your home, or even out close to the curb. Turning this off will stop all water flow into your home, which can prevent further flooding.
Begin Drying Immediately
Once the source of water has been stopped, give us a call at 585-252-5929, and set to work drying what you can. Look for any furniture that has been affected, as well as any areas that aren’t completely flooded. Often, serious water damage is caused by allowing the water to sit for too long, so drying up any areas that you can with blankets and towels will minimize the damage.
Move What You Can
Knowing that your help is on the way, you may also want to move items if you have a flooded area. Moving furniture out of the room can save it from unnecessary damage, as well as make cleanup easier later on.
Water emergencies are never fun, but when life throws you a curve ball, staying calm and working fast can help you avoid major damages.If you find yourself faced with a water emergency, give us a call at 585-252-5929 for fast and affordable cleanup solutions!
