One of the biggest issues for wood flooring maintenance is
scratches. Particularly those caused by furniture that is regularly moved back
and forth across the floor such as chairs and tables.
To help reduce the likelihood of these types of scratches
there are a myriad of products available ranging from simple self-adhesive pads
to rolling casters that can be mounted on legs so furniture can move with
ease. As with most things in life, some
combinations work better than others and some offer greater protection. Just
remember that regardless of the product you choose no furniture protector is
fool proof, if you haven’t taken the time to install it correctly you’re likely
to get scratches.
For example, some furniture protectors are designed to be
nailed directly into furniture legs, if the protector is made of plastic and
you hammer it directly the plastic could crack and leave sharp edges. The best way to deal with a protector of this
type is to place a piece of wood over the cap when hammering, so that it’s not
in direct contact with the plastic.
When installing a screw-in or nail-in product onto a
wooden furniture leg, pre-drilling a hole into the leg first might make the
installation easier, helping to prevent the nail head from pushing out and the
wood from spitting.
Even simple to apply felt adhesive protectors can be a
problem in the long run. They wear off over time and often fall off or rip,
especially when placed on chairs that get frequent use or if dirt and grit get
trapped in the felt, meaning that the protector you considerately placed to
save your wooden floor, can turn on you and damage that which you so wanted to protect.
So it’s important to check the protectors are securely in place and free from
any dirt or debris.
An excellent high quality option for wood or solid
plastic legs are the award winning QuickClick slide products produced by
Wagners (A company we are ridiculously proud to be partnered with). This
innovative product is an interchangeable and replacement guide system, with
sizes ranging from 17-50mm diameter and sold in individual packs as well as
dining and bulk quantities (Bulk gives you 25 sets of 4!).
To determine which QuickClick size you’ll need, measure
the base of the object, e.g., if a chair leg base measures 30mm, a 25mm
diameter glide would be suitable, then choose the style that best suits your
flooring (wood, laminate, carpet, anti-slip, etc.).
To fix the glides; screw the base into the selected
object but don’t over-tighten as you can reduce it’s efficiency, click the glide
into place and you’re done!
To replace a glide, simply insert a small screwdriver
into the hole positioned at the side of the base and click out. WARNING! Do not
insert the glide prior to fixing as this will be difficult to remove. You have
been warned.
Working for domestic or
commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.
For more information on our services contact our friendly
team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk
