Pools, ponds and lakes have no problem remaining well-populated during Michigan summers. It's too toasty outside not to be tempted by the cooling effect of these bodies of water. And as if a swim wasn't fantastic already, you also get to enjoy the delicious exhaustion that comes with a day spent in the wind, sun, sand and water. Nothing quite beats that feeling when it's finally time to head home.
We absolutely love knowing that water activities are still a popular pastime with everyone. But we do feel the need to shed a little light on why you have to be diligent in keeping the excess water that is tracked into the house off your floors. Allowing water to sit on them can cause all kinds of damage whether you have hardwood, vinyl, tile, linoleum or carpet. Here are some examples:
1) Hardwood Floors
Being a naturally porous material, wood is able to soak up moisture in places we may not even think about. It can even absorb moisture from the humidity in the air, which can cause the wood to expand and warp. Just imagine how much more damage can be done with direct contact with water. It can cause something as small as a water stain or something as drastic as mold or rot in your wood. The fix can be expensive, so think ahead and dry your floors thoroughly after a day at the beach.
2) Tile Floors
Tile is not easily thwarted by water damage. That's why we see it in so many bathrooms and kitchens. But while the tiles themselves hold up to moisture, you have to watch out for the grout in between them.
Grout is notoriously porous and will soak up water if left unsealed. When the grout is compromised it can either create a breeding ground for bacteria, loosen tiles it's connected to, or even damage the subfloor. These issues can make for complicated fixes, so pay close attention to make sure your grout is not exposed to water for too long.
3) Carpeting
Carpeting basically works like a giant rag and will absorb water almost immediately. Sure, this seems to make for easy cleanup, but it can be dangerous if your carpet is not given the right circumstances to dry properly. Often unseen by the naked eye, mildew and bacteria can build up in the deepest layers of your carpet and remain trapped there even if you vacuum the floor. You might not even realize the problem exists until you start to smell it. Yuck!
4) Linoleum/Vinyl
While these types of floors seem like they would be fine getting a little wet, that is simply not the case. If left unchecked, they might start to stain, bubble, mold, show some discoloration, curl, or detach from the subfloor. It's not a pretty sight.
Moral of the story, ALWAYS DRY YOUR FLOORS! If you do that, then you can rest easy and enjoy that beautiful poolside escape all the more!
Happy Flooring!