Environmentally Friendly Provider
May 19, 2010
Bay Flooring Service purchases wood flooring only from manufacturers who work within and follow the Environmental and Forestry laws of their government as well as The Lacey Act of the United States.
We purchase from suppliers who legally obtain wood and have all necessary legal documentation to prove it. We do not practice a policy of purchasing from the least expensive manufacturers as this can lead to potential compromises in legal and ethical raw material procurement. Illegally harvested wood can be less expensive due to avoidance of legal procedures. Unlawful and unethical practices are not acceptable to Bay Flooring Service.
We also offer FSC certified woods. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 1993 to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Its main tools for achieving this are standard setting, independent certification and labeling of forest products. This offers customers around the world the ability to choose products from socially and environmentally responsible forestry. You may learn more by visiting their website http://www.fscus.org
Hardwood Photo-sensitivity and finish selection
May 19, 2010
Wood is a photosensitive product of nature. Over time, depending on the species, the color may change by either darkening or lightening. Proper species selection and finish is critical for long term aesthetics.
During the first year, move or rotate area rugs to help darken floors evenly throughout your home. Over time, lighter unexposed areas will blend in with darker areas and a consistent color will be achieved within the entire room.
Quick Repairs on Wood Flooring
May 19, 2010
How can scratches or stains on wood flooring be repaired?
First aid for wood floors depends on the type of surface. In the following chart, solutions in the middle column are for floors finished with wax or penetrating stains. Solutions in the right-hand column are for floors finished with polyurethane or other surface finishes.
Note: When removing stains from any wood floor, always begin at the outer edge of the stain and work toward the middle. Always use the wood flooring manufacturer’s cleaning, repair and finish products when known.
| Problem | Solution: Wax or Penetrating Stain | Solution: Surface Finish |
| Scratches | Wax the affected area. | Repair with a touch-up kit for urethane finishes, available from any wood flooring retailer. |
| Dried milk or food stains | Gently rub with a damp cloth, then rub dry and wax. | Use a cleaner developed specifically for urethane finishes. For stubborn spots, scrub using the urethane cleaner and a scrub pad made for urethane floors. |
| Water stains or white spots | Rub the spot with #000 steel wool and wax. If this fails, lightly sand with fine sandpaper and clean the area using #00 steel wool and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner. Allow the floor to dry, then stain, wax, and hand buff. | Follow instructions for dried milk or food stains. |
| Heel scuffs | Rub in a small amount of wax with fine steel wool and hand buff to a shine. | Follow instructions for dried milk or food stains. |
| Mold or mildew | Rub with a wood cleaner. | Use a cleaner developed for urethane finishes. If the mold or mildew lies underneath the surface finish, sand and refinish the area. |
| Chewing gum, crayon, or candle wax | Apply a plastic bag filled with ice until the deposit is brittle enough to crumble off. (Solvent-based wax can also be applied to loosen the deposit.) Remove crayon or candle wax by placing an ink blotter on the wax and applying a hot pressing iron to the top of the blotter. | Apply a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the deposit until it is brittle enough to crumble off. Clean the area with a product made for urethane finishes. |
| Oil and grease stains | First rub area with kitchen soap having a high lye content or saturate cotton with hydrogen peroxide and place over the stain. Then saturate a second layer of cotton with ammonia and place over the first. Repeat until stain is removed. Let the area dry and then hand buff. | Follow instructions for dried milk or food stains. |
| Dark spots and ink stains | Try the water spots treatment. If the spot remains, apply a household bleach or vinegar and allow it to soak for an hour. Rinse with a damp cloth, wipe dry and smooth with fine sandpaper. Stain, wax and hand buff. | Follow direction for dried milk or food stains. |
| Wax buildup | Strip the old wax away with odorless mineral spirits or a wood floor product made for stripping wax. Use cloth and fine steel wool to remove all residue. After the floor is dry, wax and buff. | Not applicable. |
| High Heel Shoe Dents | 1/4 inch spike heels will cause dents that require professional repair. | 1/4 inch spike heels will cause dents that require professional repair. |
Hardwood Flooring and Pets
May 19, 2010
Hardwood Flooring and Pets
Is One Flooring Healthier than the other for you and your pets?
Pets are primary source of indoor allergies. Cats and dogs, especially those with long hair, harbor all kinds of potential allergens (like dander and saliva). Carpets and rugs trap these particles, which can be difficult to vacuum. Hardwood floors are the best option for pet owners because the hair does not bind to them.
If you take care of your flooring and replace it when necessary, there’s nothing to strongly suggest that either hardwood or carpet is a significantly healthier option. However, homeowners who like the comfortable feel of carpet should be aware that proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to keep it as healthy and attractive as possible.
It should be noted that some have made a case for hardwood being healthier on a global scale. When sustainably grown and harvested, wood flooring is a very environmentally friendly product whose long life expectancy suggests that it won’t be taking up landfill space any time soon!
What to expect when installing or refinishing your wood floor
May 19, 2010
Once you’ve decided to install or refinish a wood floor, you may wonder what will happen next. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after the work takes place will help ensure a high-quality job.
Before work begins, remove all furnishings, draperies, paintings, and other items from the room. Flooring professionals typically are not insured against damages to these items, so removal will be your responsibility. For new installations, the wood will need to acclimate, which will vary from two days to two weeks.
If your floors are being sanded, finished or refinished, be prepared for some noise and disruption. Dust containment systems can minimize debris, but no system is 100% effective, so cover any items that you want to keep dust-free.
When the finish is applied, stay off your floors until it has dried. The time required will vary depending on the type of finish used.
After the top coat finish has dried, generally wait 24 hours to walk on the floors and 72 hours to replace furniture. Put felt pads on the bottoms of any furniture to minimize scratches and dents.
Place scatter rugs at all entrances, avoiding those with rubber backs, which can discolor your floor. Wait 2 weeks before placing any rugs directly on a finished floor. Avoid walking on your floors with cleats or high heels in disrepair.
Keep in mind that no two floor boards will be identical. Variations in appearance are completely normal. As your floor ages, some color change can occur. This also is normal, but can be minimized by limiting exposure to direct sunlight, and periodically moving furniture and rugs. Cracks are normal as well, and will appear and disappear between floor boards during seasons of high and low humidity. Generally, anything less than the width of a dime is considered normal, and will correct itself as seasons change.
Flooring inspectors recommend inspecting the floor from a standing position in normal lighting to identify irregularities.
Finally, keep your wood floors looking their best by properly maintaining them. Use a cleaning product recommended for your floors and use it regularly to keep them looking beautiful for years to come.