Reddy Kancharla Shares Flooring Tips

Hardwood flooring is not only beautiful and practical, but it can also increase the market value of your home as long as it is in good condition. Dings, dents, and scratches can detract from their attractiveness and diminish their value. It is best to repair scratched hardwood floors before listing your home on the market, but you must know how to do it properly or risk making matters worse. Although it is generally best to hire a professional to repair significant scratches or deep, wide gouges, Reddy Kancharla shares a few beneficial basics that anyone can master below.

 

Scratches

Filling in scratches or sanding the wood floor down to eliminate any marks are two common methods for removing scratches. Reddy Kancharla suggests rubbing along the length of the scratch with the grain since rubbing against the grain can result in more scratches that you'll have to patch later. After sanding, rub the area with mineral spirits until the scratch is no longer visible and the wood is smooth.

 

Gouges or Deeper Scratches

Some scratches are more difficult to treat and demand considerable effort. Additional supplies will be necessary for deeper scratches or gouges on your hardwood floor. Allow around 24 hours for complete removal.

 

Dent Removal

You can eliminate most dents by combining heat and moisture to restore the original shape of the wood. Scars occur when a heavy object impacts the wood. Reddy Kancharla recommends examining the dent carefully to ensure that no wood has been lost from the damage. If you're certain there's no missing or splintered wood in the dent, you can start heating it to swell it back into place.

 

Keeping Your Hardwood Floor in Good Shape

1.    Vacuum, sweep, and dust your floors. Then, attach a hard floor adapter to your vacuum to avoid harming the finish of your wood.

2.    Reddy Kancharla recommends using the appropriate cloth when cleaning your floors. You must avoid scouring powders and abrasive cleaners to prevent further damage.

3.    Use the appropriate cleansers. The finish of your hardwood determines the best cleaning solution, not the wood itself. Oil-based wax, polish, or strong ammoniated treatments might dull the finish of your floor.

Immediately wipe up any spilled water. You should dry any standing water as quickly as possible since water can destroy even surface-treated hardwood.

 

Reddy Kancharla: How to Deal with Molds in Your Home

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Molds are microorganisms that can propagate almost anywhere given the right conditions. Mold can take the form of hairy growths, black spots, or particles of black, white, orange, green, or brown. Mold proliferates on wet surfaces inside your home, such as bathroom walls and window trim. Reddy Kancharla advises addressing mold-related issues expediently to avoid the many negative repercussions they can bring.

 

Possible Causes

Mold is more likely to grow in a home with more people living in it because of the amount of moisture released from breathing. Reddy Kancharla explains that storing damp firewood, using too much water on plants, and storing too many vegetables like potatoes and squash can further exacerbate mold proliferation.

 

Preventing Mold Growth:

Inside the house:

·      Lessen moisture in the air using dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid conditions.

·      Keep the interior humidity below 60%. A hygrometer can be used to measure relative humidity.

·      Clean the air conditioner drip pans. Ensure that the drainpipes are clear and flowing correctly.

·      Reduce condensation by adding insulation to cold surfaces such outside walls, floors, and windows.

·      To avoid mold growth, dry damp surfaces within 24 to 48 hours.

·      Have a heating and conditioning contractor inspect your system to ensure it is appropriately sized and running to eliminate humidity. Request that the contractor inspects your duct system for air leaks and proper airflow to each room.

·      Increase circulation by opening doors between your rooms, which will carry heat to cold surfaces. In addition, you can use fans and move furniture away from wall corners to improve air circulation.

 

In the kitchen:

·      When cooking, dishwashing, or cleaning, use exhaust fans to transport moisture outside.

·      Examine the kitchen sink, refrigerator ice makers, and other water sources for leaks. If required, make repairs.

·      Empty and clean the refrigerator drip pans regularly.