Households are being warned about summer habits that could cause long-term damage to their homes. As warmer weather sets in, changes in daily routines can inadvertently harm flooring and interiors.
Opening Doors and Windows
While opening all doors and windows may cool the home, it also exposes flooring to increased UV light, heat, pollen, and outdoor debris. Stephen Latham, Managing Director at J2 Flooring, explains: "One thing many homeowners notice by the end of summer is uneven colouring near doors and windows. Areas exposed to strong sunlight every day can gradually fade differently from covered sections of flooring." He adds: "During heatwaves, certain floors naturally expand slightly in warmer temperatures. Over time, homeowners can start noticing small lifting edges, movement around joins, or uneven areas becoming more visible."
Increased Foot Traffic and Debris
With more time spent outdoors, floors endure increased traffic. Stephen says: "People move between the garden and kitchen far more during summer than any other time of year. The issue is that patio grit, tiny stones, and rough debris trapped underneath shoes repeatedly grind against the same sections of flooring." This gradual process can erode protective coatings and leave dull-looking pathways across the floor. "Once sunlight hits those worn areas, they start reflecting light differently to the rest of the floor, which is why certain pathways suddenly become much more obvious during summer," he adds.
Removing footwear before entering the house is crucial to prevent scratching and harming floors. Similarly, dried grass and garden debris pose risks. Stephen explains: "People usually think mud is the main problem for floors, but dry summer debris can actually be more abrasive. Grass clippings often carry tiny particles of soil, grit, and dried material underneath shoes. Once that gets repeatedly walked across the same areas, it gradually scratches the protective surface layer of the floor."
Sunscreen Hazard
Sun cream presents another unexpected summer hazard for flooring. Stephen says: "Most people would never think SPF could affect their flooring. But sunscreen contains oils that transfer very easily from skin onto the floor, especially during hot weather." This can leave greasy patches across the ground. "The problem is that those oily areas attract even more dust and dirt afterwards, which is why some floors suddenly start looking permanently marked during summer," he adds.
