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Real Estate Advertorial How to protect wood floors from inclement weather Wood floors are a worthwhile investment that can improve the beauty and function of just about any room in a home. Even though wood floors are durable, and new protective treatments help seal out many of the things that may have damaged floors in the past, homeowners still need to prioritize protect- ing their hardwood floors. Certain seasons of the year can be more harsh on wood floors than others. For exam- ple, seasons characterized by moisture and precipitation, particularly the early spring, winter and fall, can be hard on wood floors. The experts at ServiceMaster Clean say that cold, snowy days can damage wood floors, and Lumber Liquidators agrees that winter weather can be harsh on flooring. Homeowners need not give up on hard- wood if they live in an area that sees all four seasons. They just need to take a few steps to keep floors looking beautiful. • Clean up the salt. Salt that keeps side- walks and streets clear of snow and ice inad- vertently gets tracked inside a home. Hard chunks of salt can scratch wood floors, and, if left to sit, that salt can eventually cause white marks and other stains. Routinely vacuuming and sweeping up salt is necessary to protect wood floors. • Invest in shoe storage. Wet or snowy boots can create puddles around the house. Have a special mat or tray by the front door where wet shoes can be kept. A nice bench in the entryway makes it easy for residents and guests to remove their shoes until it's time to go back outside. • Use water-wicking mats. Homeowners will probably need a few extra mats around to tame errant drips and wipe shoes. Any entrance that might be used by people or pets should be protected. Try to avoid petroleum-based, rubber-backed mats, as they could discolour the wood floor. • Control humidity indoors. Cold, dry air in a home can be problematic because the moisture in the wood can eventually evaporate into the air. The heat will suck that moisture from the flooring, causing it to shrink, creak and splinter and become more brittle. Think about investing in an in-line humidifier for the home's HVAC system that can keep a moderate amount of humid- ity in the home. Hardwood floorboards are installed to accommodate minor tempera- ture and humidity fluctuations. This is typi- cally a range of between 15 and 26 degrees C with a relative humidity range of 35 to 55 per cent, advises ServiceMaster. • Use the right cleaning products. Avoid excessive water to clean wood floors, and select soaps that are specially designed for wood flooring. Consult with the flooring manufacturer for a list of detergents that are safe to use. With proper care, hardwood flooring can survive rain, snow and cold weather. MCC 19 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,O ctober 7,2021 insidehalton.com #2102 - 2170Marine Drive, Oakville For Lease Luxurious renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom & den condo, 1681 sq ft with stunning views of Lake Ontario Matt Sullivan SaleS RepReSentative 905-580-9196 matt@sullivanrealestate.ca anita Sullivan BRokeR 905-466-4900 anita@sullivanrealestate.ca AWARD NOMINEE 2021 for nominating us for Best Broker and Best Real Estate Team Thank You Luxury at its finest! Heathwood Home detached 4 bed, 2.5 bath plus a brand new professionally finished 2 bed, 1 bath legal basement apartment with a seperate entrance, spacious living roomandmodern kitchen.Upgraded throughout,main floor office,hardwood stairs and flooring throughout.Open concept floor plan with 9ft smooth ceilings, large great room with vaulted ceilings, gas fireplace and stone feature wall. Sleek kitchen with high end appliances, landscaped lot with stone patio and walkway. Luxurious finishes and attention to detail undoubtedly set this home apart! Contact Katherine to view this stunning property. Katherine Barnett Broker 905-858-3434 cell 416-856-5161 www.katherinebarnett.com sales@katherinebarnett.com REALTY SPECIALISTS INC.,BROKERAGE so ld New Listings • 1532 Mineral Springs Road, Ancaster This beautifully finished bungalow has spectacular panoramic views. Set on an incredible lot surrounded by nature, this is a must see! As you approach the home, you will see the spacious front porch with a stone backdrop. The home features large windows to take in the view, a wood fireplace and two sunrooms for extra living space. Designer finishes make this home a buyer's dream. A large driveway, spacious double garage, huge back deck and fire pit are ideal for outdoor living. For more pictures and a virtual tour, visit John's Featured Listings at johnschlett.com. Join us at our open house or call/email to book a private showing! MLS #H4118503 John Schlett REALTOR® Phone:905-575-5478 Cell:905-515-4100 johnschlett@remaxescarpment.com johnschlett.com Op en Ho us e Sa tur da y & Su nd ay 2 - 4 p .m . As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we will be making some changes to our website and newsletter. In regards to Canada's federal government advising against all unnecessary travel, we will not be promoting any flights, travel deals and travel packages until further notice. But, just because our travel deals have been put on hold, our team is dedicated to providing YOU, our amazing subscribers, with inspiring and informative blog content during this time! If you haven't done so yet, please sign up for our weekly newsletter so we can keep you up to date! Stay Inside. Stay Informed. Please Visit Travelalerts.ca for fresh travel content, exclusive tips and more!