Fort Worth, TX - Building developers have found that they can successfully turn old abandoned warehouses and industrial facilities into lofts for offices.

Very often these old facilities have hardwood floors, which add to their charm. However, for cleaning contractors, maintaining those old hardwood floors pose some challenges, especially during the summer months.

This is why this month's Powr-Flite Troubleshooter focuses on wood floor care.

The key problem is that moisture and humidity, which tend to increase during the summer months, are natural enemies of hardwood flooring.

In some cases, the added moisture may cause small gaps to develop between boards or along walls. When this happens, avoid using a dust mop to clean the floor, as a dust mop can push debris and soil into these gaps. A backpack vacuum should be used instead.

Another problem humidity causes is buckling. This is when the floor pulls away from the subfloor. There may also be "cupping" or "crowning" of the floorboards.

Cupping is when the edges of the board are higher than the center of the board. Crowning is just the opposite: the center area is higher than the edges. In all of these cases, what is happening is the wood is swelling.

If the problem is minor and safety is not an issue, it is best to just accept it. In most cases, once the humidity falls the floorboards will return to normal.  Installing air movers at strategic locations can help these issues from becoming worse.

On a regular maintenance basis, cleaning professionals can take the following steps to keep hardwood floors clean, safe, and dry during the summer months:

Use a backpack vacuum cleaner instead of a dust mop.

Ensure that high-performance mats are installed at all entries to a wood floor including interior entries

Clean the floors using a recommended wood cleaning product.

Never use a damp mop on a wood floor.

Buff the floors regularly; buffing can add a shine and the weight of the machine may actually help keep the floor flat and even.

###  

The Powr-Flite Troubleshooter addresses some of the most common floor care problems cleaning professionals encounter ... and, most importantly, how to tackle them.

About Powr-Flite 

Established more than 40 years ago, Powr-Flite manufactures a full line of floor-care equipment and carpet extractors for the professional cleaning industry. Based in Fort Worth, TX, the company has over 20 patented designs and its products are recognized throughout the world for their innovation, durability, quality and performance. Their products are marketed directly to end-use customers as well as through distributors throughout the North America, Europe and the Far East.