cork

Cork floor maintenance is considerably easier than with some other flooring materials. This is because cork is so durable. If you drop a heavy item it is usually able to flex for the impact and bounce back into shape. Use a broom or vacuum to pick up loose dirt and debris and a damp but not soaking wet mop and water to clean general spills. When deep cleaning the floor, use a damp mop with a PH-balanced detergent. Always avoid the use of harsh abrasives and oil or ammonia-based cleaning products. Only use cleaning products approved by the manufacturer.

There are several steps you can take to help maintain your cork floor besides regular maintenance.

• Use a doormat outside to collect any dirt, moisture or other abrasive substances that can harm your floor.
• When mopping use a damp, not soaking wet mop and keep liquid off the floor as much as possible. Liquids can make the seams swell or ruin your subfloor.
• Felt floor protectors on furniture are always recommended to reduce scratching or gouging.
• Cork floors are affected by direct sunlight and are prone to color fading. Keep blinds closed and direct sunlight off the cork floor on sunny days when possible or install UV protection on your windows.
• Keep large animals with long nails off the floor as they can scratch and damage the cork.
• If you are moving appliances or heavy furniture never slide them across the floor.

Before installation, the sub-floor must be properly cleaned, dried, and leveled. You should acclimate the cork flooring to the room in which it will be installed for at least 72 hours. You should keep the humidity levels fairly low and maintain a moderate (60 – 70 Degrees F) temperature during acclimation, installation, and for a few days after installation.

If using a glue-down installation method, you should not walk on or mop your new flooring for 12-24 hours or more depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. This helps to avoid shifting the flooring before it is set in place. A floating or glue-less installation can generally be walked on and mopped only with a damp mop immediately.

There are two different ways in which cork floors are constructed - homogeneous and veneer. Homogeneous means that the top pattern and color of the cork flooring is a thick layer that can be sanded and refinished. Veneer cork flooring, on the other hand, cannot be sanded or refinished as they are created by placing a veneer on top of a cork base.

Once adhesive has dried, you can remove any excess by wiping with a soft cloth and mineral spirits.

Gouges and scratches can sometimes be repaired enough to blend in and not be noticed without refinishing the floor. To do this, take an extra piece of cork and sand the edge creating cork shavings. Mix this with polyurethane to make a putty, then spread this into the gouge or scratch and scrap with a putty knife to remove any excess and create a smooth surface. Finally, put a coat of polyurethane over the surface and let it dry. If the damage is deep enough, and you have a homogeneous cork floor, you may want to strip and refinish the floor.

When using a floating installation which does not require any glue, you can simply remove the damaged piece and click in a new one. This is one of the many advantages of click or snap together floating installation methods. When replacing glue-down cork flooring, it is a very different and more complicated situation. You should contact your manufacturer or a professional installer for further instructions based on your individual situation.