For commercial hardwood floors, you have two options to restore their original appearance: scrub and recoat or strip and wax. Both are effective but should be used at different times.

Knowing which one is best for your situation will save you labor hours and money. Read on to find out more about hardwood recoating.

Times to do a scrub and recoat

A scrub and recoat is best in most cases and is performed before a strip and wax. This is a less time-intensive procedure that’s also less expensive. That said, a scrub and recoat is effective only if it’s done regularly.

Periodic care for your floor should be done whenever foot traffic has caused wear and tear to the floor’s finish. For a business with average foot traffic, a scrub and recoat should be done at least twice per year. Your budget, the amount of traffic and other factors will come into play when considering how often to have a scrub and recoat.

When you should do a strip and wax

At some point, the floor will require more care. If you don’t do a scrub and recoat, then you should have a strip and wax done at least annually. Your floors may require strip and wax more often than this depending on a range of factors such as your budget, available resources and time.

As we noted earlier, a scrub and recoat is only good a certain number of times to restore a floor’s shine. At some point, you will need a full strip and wax to restore the floor’s original appearance. That’s because contaminants are embedded in the floor’s finish, so following a hardwood recoating, it will look shiny but not clean.

If you’re noticing that a new coat of finish isn’t getting the job done, then it’s time for a strip and wax. The same goes for tile waxing. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can increase the amount of shine the floor has. If you want brilliant, distinctive floors, you will need to do a strip and finish more often.

Amount of finish on the floor

The level of finish left on the floor will also be a factor in whether you need a strip and wax. You may be wondering how you determine how much finish is on the floor. One simple way is the key test.

Take a key, and scratch through the finish in an area that experiences high traffic. If you don’t remove any finish, then you should consider having a strip and wax done. It’s important to maintain a healthy amount of finish on the floors, as this is meant to protect the floors from scratches, spills, dirt and damage.

Do you need hardwood recoating or tile waxing? For more than seven decades, Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center has been a trusted name in everything from carpet services to tile and hardwood cleaning, buffing and waxing. We offer a level of attention to detail that our competitors don’t. Contact us right now to learn more and request a free quote.

Hardwood flooring is a durable material, and a great choice for most homeowners—it gives you a sleek, modern look that’s simultaneously homey and comfortable. It’s become a desirable feature that buyers have sought out for years now, and installing it or taking care of existing hardwood flooring is a great way to ensure your home remains a sound investment for years.

However, problems with these materials can arise if the proper maintenance and care steps aren’t taken. For example, wood floor warping in South Amboy, NJ is something homeowners encounter on a regular basis, but the good news is that there are some easy things you can watch out for to help you nip any warping problems in the bud.

What is moisture content?

One of the things that most commonly causes wood flooring to warp is the moisture content of the wood that’s being used. Most hardwood installers know they should monitor this number as they’re installing, but what’s less well known is that homeowners should also keep an eye on it if they want their floors to always look their best. When you’re looking at warping wood floors in South Amboy, NJ, you can rest assured that the material’s moisture content is probably to blame, at least to some extent—wood can expand or contract as it absorbs or loses moisture, causing it to lose its consistency.

What’s a moisture meter?

One tool all flooring contractors will have in their bag, and one that homeowners can also choose to invest in, is a wood moisture meter. These tools, as their name suggests, help you keep an eye on the water content of all of the woods you’re working with. Since wood that’s gotten wet or absorbed water from the atmosphere around it can expand and ultimately warp, understanding and being able to measure the moisture content is vitally important information. Wood that’s to be used for hardwood flooring needs to meet an “equilibrium moisture content” that minimizes any chance of wood floor warping in South Amboy, NJ by removing the variable of changing moisture content.

What types of warping can occur?

Two types of wood floor warping in South Amboy, NJ tend to happen more often than others. The first is “cupping,” which is when a moisture imbalance starts at the bottom of the floor and moves to the top—this uneven moisture in the flooring means that each plank will have raised edges and a concave center.

On the other hand, “crowning” is a problem that’s basically the opposite of cupping. Crowning means that the center of the board is convex, and the edges are lower than the middle. This can also be attributed, in all likelihood, to moisture imbalance in the wood.

Here at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center, we strive to be your one-stop shop for flooring materials and any questions regarding care and maintenance techniques. If you’re in the market for hardwood or carpet installation, we’re the local team you can rely on. We’ve been in business since 1948, so we know a thing or two about flooring—let us get to work for you and get your home looking more beautiful than ever before!

Hardwood floors are one of the most desirable and attractive features a home can have. While they’re not necessarily the right stylistic or aesthetic fit for every house, they look great in the vast majority of spaces, adding a touch of warmth, interest and comfort to any home. Keeping them clean and polished after installation is a key part of any contractor’s job, which is why floor polishing in South Amboy, NJ is usually the finishing touch that gives your floors that last bit of extra appeal and durability.

Our team at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center are experts in installing and caring for all types of flooring, and hardwood is no different. Below, we’re happy to provide some insight into what polishing usually entails.

Use a pole sander

Once a floor has been sanded and edged, it will look wonderfully smooth and uniform, but there are actually some secret scratches that might be immediately apparent to the naked eye. Scratches in the main field of the floor and invisible “pig-tailed” curved scratches can run all around the perimeter of the room and can really compromise the quality of the job. Using a pole sander is a great way to finish off floor polishing in South Amboy, NJ, but you need to be thorough. Use it on every inch of the surface and be sure you’re not missing anything, because the finish will ultimately reveal any lingering scratches.

Clean it thoroughly

After you’ve completed that pole sanding task, there’s still quite a bit to do. Next, you need to clean the entire floor—vacuum every inch of it and anywhere else sawdust might have settled. This includes baseboards and windowsills, since sawdust here can easily be knocked back onto the floor later and contribute to ruined finishes. Next, you’re going to want to tack the floor, which basically involves using a “tack cloth” to run along the entire surface and pick up any and all lingering dust or other residue. This will prepare the floor for the final finish, which you’re going to apply next.

Apply the finish

Finally, you can apply the finish of your choice. Wrapping up floor polishing in South Amboy, NJ means that you now have some options—you can decide whether or not you want to use a stain, or just keep a natural look and let the color of the wood speak for itself. You can also decide on the sheen of the final coating that you’re going to put on. This is entirely a matter of personal preference, but our team would be happy to offer some advice on this front.

When customers wonder how to polish floors in South Amboy, NJ, we assure them that there is indeed a recommended process they can follow that will likely lead to good results. Once your floor is installed and looking great, remember that Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center offers waxing and buffing services that can help keep all hard flooring surfaces looking like new for years to come. Reach out to us today to learn more.

Hardwood floors have become a treasure in many homes. They look sophisticated, beautiful and when messes happen, the floors are so easy to clean. However, to keep your hardwood floors looking natural and pleasing, you’ll have to wax and buff your floors.

If you’re in a newer home, your floors are newer, and are most likely covered in an oil-based finish. Those floors you don’t want to wax or buff. If you’re living in an older home, you might have to wax and buff your floors several times a year, since the floors are coated, but not in the way new floors are. The following is a step-by-step process outlining how to properly go about waxing and buffing in South Amboy, NJ:

• Gather your equipment: To successfully wax and buff your floors, you need the right equipment. You’ll need a type of wood restorer, paste wax, rubber gloves, and old towels or socks. Waxing and buffing can be a dirty process, so don’t use cleaning supplies that are new or cloth you’re afraid of getting dirty. In addition to those items, you’ll also need a floor buffer. If you don’t have one or choose not to use one, be ready to use your muscles.
• Test your wood: You’ll need to know if your floors have the coating that’s been developed in recent years or if your floors have an older coating. If your floor has an older coating, you’ll need to use the traditional wax and buffing method. To see if you have an older finish, put a drop of water the size of a small coin on the floor. If it soaks right in or creates a white spot on the floor, you have an older finish on your floors. If the water stays put and doesn’t create a spot, that’s a good sign you have a recent, modern finish.
• Wipe your floor: Once you know you have an older finish on your floors, use the wood restorer and wipe the floor down using an old cloth. The wood restorer is the first step to making your floors look shiny again. Leave the wood restorer to dry for an hour.
• Wax it: Put a layer of wax paste on the floor. Make sure the coat is not to heavy; you don’t want to plainly see the wax on the floor. Rub the wax into the floor and let it dry for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Buff it: Use your floor buffer, or your hands if you don’t have an automatic buffer. The floor buffer will polish your floors with a rotating pad. If you choose to use your hands to buff in a circular motion, make sure you use a thicker towel and a lot of elbow grease to pick up all of that dirt.

You have hardwood floors for a reason, so make sure you take full advantage of them! Doing so means making sure you clean your waxed floors regularly. For more information or for waxing and buffing in South Amboy, NJ, visit Love ‘N Kare Carpet Center.