Pets add joy and love to a household, but they can also increase the amount of wear and tear your home experiences. This is especially true if you have hardwood floors. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to maintain the beauty and integrity of your wood even with furry friends in the house. Here are a few tips to follow. 

How to Prevent Pets From Damaging Your Hardwood

1. Keep Their Nails Trimmed 

Many pets have long nails that will scratch hardwood floors as they run around the house. Having your pet’s nails trimmed regularly—usually every couple of months—can considerably reduce damage.

It also helps to put down rugs in the areas they frequent, as this will put a barrier between their nails and the wood. 

2. Clean Up Accidents Right Away 

Even well-trained pets can have accidents sometimes. Thus, you want to keep an eye out for puddles and clean them up immediately.

If urine remains on hardwood for too long, it can seep into the boards and leave behind stains and unpleasant odors. The acid in the urine may also ruin the finish. Simply wipe the area with a damp towel or mop and dry it thoroughly. 

3. Put a Mat Under Water Bowls & Near Doorways

Animals aren’t particularly graceful when drinking water. As such, it often ends up sloshing out of the bowl and onto the floor. If left for a long period, water can discolor hardwood floors and cause them to start cupping. This is easily preventable by placing a thick, breathable mat under their water bowl to keep the surrounding area dry.

You should also put protective covering near doorways so that people and animals don’t bring water in from outside if it has been raining or snowing.

If your hardwood floors have already suffered pet damage, reach out to Carl Bohlmeyer Floor Sanding for help making them look new again. They deliver high-quality refinishing services that will last for many years and breathe fresh life into your flooring. Backed by more than 50 years of experience, they have a long history of providing Lincoln, NE, homeowners with unmatched results. Call (402) 423-7225 to request a free estimate or visit them online for more information about their offerings.