Ready for a modern apartment in Webb City or Joplin? Consider 17th Place in Webb City and 20th Place in Joplin, both of which offer extraordinary amenities to make your family comfortable. From modern appliances to great neighborhoods, we strive to make you feel at home.
We also want you to maintain your apartment so it looks new for as long as you live here. Read our guide on how to prevent scratches on composite floors as well as keep holes away from your walls for the best results.
How to Prevent Scratches on Composite or Hardwood Floors at Your Apartment in Webb City
Composite and hardwood floors offer durability and reliability alongside a gorgeous appearance. You’ll love the look and feel of the floors for your dining room and possibly your bedroom, depending on which apartment complex you choose. See how to keep scratches from happening as much as possible.
Felt Pads on Furniture Feet
No matter how hard you try, your sofa or chair might slide against the floor, causing scuffs or scratches at some point. Choose high-quality pads with strong adhesive backing so they stay in place for a long time. Clean the furniture feet thoroughly before applying the pads.
Dust or debris could weaken the adhesive. Press each pad firmly onto each foot, holding it for a few seconds to secure a strong bond. Check the pads regularly for signs of wear or detaching. Replace them as needed. For heavier furniture, consider using thick felt pads or adhesive-backed sliders that distribute weight evenly.
Rug
An area rug represents a stylish option that helps with sound absorption. Choose a rug with a non-slip backing. An alternative is to add a quality rug pad to prevent movement and bunching. Clean the floor thoroughly before laying the rug. This can prevent dust or debris that could cause abrasion if the rug moves.
Position the rug so that it covers high-traffic areas where scratching may occur. Check the edges regularly for curling, which could create tripping hazards or expose the floor to potential scuffs.
Use a rug pad designed for composite flooring to keep the rug secure since some rubber-backed options may cause discoloration. Rotate the rug periodically to distribute wear evenly and prevent fading if the sun hits one side of the rug but not the other.
Vacuum underneath to clear trapped dirt that could grind against the floor. Clean any spills promptly to avoid moisture damage or stains.
Regular Cleaning
Use a microfiber mop or soft-bristle broom to sweep your composite floors at least once a week. This prevents grit from scratching the surface. For deeper cleaning, choose a pH-neutral floor cleaner specifically designed for composite materials. Dilute the solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply it with a damp, but not soaked, mop to avoid excess moisture on the composite floor. Immediately wipe up spills with a dry cloth to prevent staining or water damage.
Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers, or steam mops because they can strip the floor’s protective coating. Instead, invest in non-abrasive cleaning pads while using a gentle motion to lift dirt without scratching. Place mats at entryways to reduce the amount of debris tracked inside.
Don’t Push or Drag Furniture
Pushing or dragging furniture along a composite floor can lead to abrasions and scratches. Avoid dragging furniture, even with felt pads attached. Debris caught underneath the pads could still cause damage. Lift rather than push the furniture as a general rule if you need to move it. If pads shift over time, realign or replace them promptly.
Consider using furniture sliders to move heavy items. Sliders help distribute the weight evenly and prevent direct contact with the floor. Place the sliders under each leg or corner, then carefully slide the piece into position. A furniture dolly or lifting straps offer an alternative to furniture sliders.
Rubber Wheels on Lightweight Furniture
Do you have a table or shelf you like moving around your apartment? How about an ottoman or your dining chairs? Consider soft rubber wheels on the bottom so they don’t scratch the composite flooring. Install wheels with a swivel mechanism to minimize the risk of damaging the floor when the wheels move. Check the wheels regularly for wear or debris buildup. We recommend cleaning them once a month.
Avoid using hard plastic or metal wheels, which can leave marks or gouges on the surface of composite floors. When repositioning your lightweight furniture on wheels, gently roll it rather than pushing or dragging.
Pets
Pets are welcome when you move into an apartment in Webb City or Joplin. The key to preventing your pets from scratching composite floors is to keep their claws trimmed.
Dogs can unintentionally scratch composite floors with their claws, especially when excited or running around. Think about designated play areas with rugs or mats to reduce the amount of running on hard surfaces for your dog.
Cats are often notorious for scratching. Provide your cat with plenty of scratching posts or pads to encourage scratching behavior away from the floors. Place these posts near their favorite resting spots or play areas.
Protecting the Walls at Your Apartment in Webb City
Keeping your walls in great shape can make sure you get your entire security deposit back when it’s time to move out. Small nail holes are often considered normal wear and tear. But larger, gaping holes mean you’ll be charged for repairs.
See these tips for preventing gaping holes in the walls of your apartment in Webb City.
Use Sticky Tape or Adhesive Strips to Hang Things Rather Than Nails
Look for high-strength, high-quality adhesive tape, like double-sided mounting tape or command strips. These can hold a variety of objects securely without causing damage. Clean the wall surface first to remove dust and grease. Press the tape firmly to the wall and the item to maximize grip.
Consider weight limits when choosing your tape. Light items, such as small pictures or posters, typically stay in place with standard adhesive strips. For heavier objects, select industrial-strength options that can support up to 5 to 10 pounds. Test the tape with a less valuable item first to verify its holding power. Always follow manufacturer guidelines to prevent damaging both the wall and your decor.
If You Do Use Nails, Go With Tiny Ones
As we stated, use small nails to hang items on the walls of your apartment in Joplin or Webb City. We recommend using no larger than 1-inch nails to hang lightweight objects like picture frames.
Use a hammer to gently tap the nail into the wall. Keep it at a 90-degree angle with the wall or at a slight incline, depending on what you’re hanging. A slight angle can help secure the nail more firmly. Avoid driving it too deep to prevent unnecessary damage to the wall.
Purchase nails with a small, flat head. This keeps the hole discreet after you remove it. Place two nails at equal distances to distribute the weight evenly if you need extra support and stability. Supplement the nails with adhesive pads behind the item to reduce pressure on the nail. Always double-check that the nails securely hold your item before leaving it unattended.
Hang Wall Items Properly
Hanging and displaying wall items properly without nails or using small nails requires the right planning and precautions. Clean the surfaces of the wall thoroughly to remove dust. The adhesive will work properly with a clean surface. Measure and mark the position you need with a pencil dot.
Follow the instructions for the adhesive, pressing firmly to secure it or flattening your poster putty. Allow the adhesive to set for a few minutes to make sure it has enough strength to hold your wall hanging.
For heavier items, consider tension rods or freestanding displays rather than mounting them to the wall. This is especially true for televisions. Wire grids or pegboards that lean against the wall can hold multiple items without creating holes.
Remove adhesive hooks and strips slowly to prevent paint from peeling if you have seasonal decorations for various holidays. Think about testing the setup by gently tugging on the item before leaving it unattended.
Do Not Move the Wall Hanging After It’s in Place
The key to preventing holes in the wall after your item is in place is to avoid shifting and moving it. Adjusting your wall hanging can weaken the adhesive or loosen the nail, which could make the item less stable.
Adhesive strips or hooks lose their grip after you reposition the item. You might increase the risk of the item falling and causing damage, or worse, hitting someone and hurting them. Moving the item if you use nails could cause wider holes if they shift repeatedly. You’ll have unsightly marks, damage the paint, create a larger hole, or it could weaken the wall’s sheetrock. Plus, your item might look crooked!
When you remove and reapply adhesive products, they may also leave residue. Extra residue can lead to less effective hanging because your item will stick to the residue rather than the wall itself. This is why proper planning is important!
Use Caution When Moving Furniture or Heavy Items
Moving furniture and heavy items must be done carefully so you don’t accidentally hit the wall. For example, maneuver a large couch so it fits through doorways by tilting and pivoting it. Watch for the legs and feet of furniture because they can puncture a wall. Furniture can be bulky and hard to handle.
Heavy items also present challenges regardless of whether it’s furniture. A large television has sharp corners. A freestanding mirror faces a similar problem. Cover the corners with towels or blankets to prevent scratches against the wall. However, you still need to maneuver them properly so they don’t puncture the wall completely.
Move slowly as you handle larger furniture or heavy items. Have enough people to carry the item, like one on each end and another in the middle. The person in the middle can offer additional support if the item gets too heavy.
Utilize an Entertainment Center Rather Than a TV Wall Mount
We highly recommend an entertainment center rather than mounting a TV on the wall of your apartment in Joplin. Size the entertainment center correctly before you buy one.
You want to have at least 3 inches of overlap between the edge of the TV and the edge of the entertainment center. This keeps your TV balanced, centered, and with enough stability for the legs of the TV.
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