Maxcare Hardwood Flooring, LLC FAQs

While we do have a physical location, we do not have a showroom. You can visit Gehl Flooring's showroom. They're located at 4547 N. 128th Street in Butler or call them at (262) 781-6416.

The advantage of flooring with hardwood is the ability to change stain color. The process of sanding removes the old urethane and stain, so you start with a blank slate. You can go from light to dark, or from dark to light.

Yes. We work with all insurance companies.

Each situation is slightly different. Black stains caused by pets or plants can be surface stains or penetration stains. Our team will try to sand off the stain prior to replacing the board(s). Either way, we'll repair your floors.

When choosing Maxcare Hardwood Flooring, LLC, we use a truck-mounted dust containment system on all work at no extra charge. A vacuum hose connected to the sanding machine sucks up the dust as we work. All of the dust gets put into a containment system outside in our truck and is removed at our shop. That means 100% dust-free sanding and refinishing!

It depends on your floor plan and the rooms we are working on. As a general rule is that most of our customers stay in their home and just avoid the rooms our team is working in. The final coat of finish usually dries within 4-6 hours and furniture can be put back after 24 hours; rugs are three days when using an Arboritec commercial grade finish.

Custom stain options are available to our customers. Color chips are not a good representation of color as each board will have a slightly different color and grain pattern.  When we begin the sanding process, we do color samples right on your floor. We sand down an area to start with a clean canvas and apply stain colors until  we get the perfect color for you. Note that maple floors don't accept stain as well as oak. Maple comes out blotchy and uneven. Maple floors stained are best water-popped.

When you meet with our estimator, he will give you the best advice based on your remodel. If you install pre-finished hardwood flooring or sand and finish existing hardwood flooring, we will be one of the last contractors on the job site. Unfinished floors may need to go in sooner.

You may just need a buff and coat in the kitchen. The process is done is based on your layout and direction of wood. Call us. We can take a look at your particular situation.

Yes, wood is a product of nature, therefore you'll  see variations from board to board in all categories. No two boards are ever the same.

Hardwood contains a cell structure. If enough pressure is applied, the cell wall will collapse and a dent will appear.

Wood goes through a natural aging process called patina. Bright sunlight can accelerate this condition. Moving area rugs and/or closing window coverings during peak hours from time to time is a good idea.

Installing wood flooring in powder rooms and kitchens is common. Polyurethane coatings used on hardwood floors are stronger than in the past. However, high moisture is never recommended near wood flooring.

It is a personal preference. They both have advantages. If you want to match the existing woodwork, you may wish to go with unfinished so it can be stained to blend with the woodwork. Pre-finished also has some great benefits: uniform stain application finished in a controlled environment.

Because of the sophisticated finishing systems on our products, the finish is very durable. We use commercial-rated products for commercial environments and always recommend walk-off mats at doorways and pivot points such as kitchen sinks, refrigerators, etc.

Located at on Miller Park Way in Milwaukee, we service Bayside, Brown Deer, Cudahy, Fox Point, Franklin, Glendale, Greenfield, Greendale, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, River Hills, St. Francis, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, West Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay, Bayview, Brookfield, Delafield, Muskego, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Germantown, Mequon, and Thiensville.

We don't recommend hardwood flooring in full bathrooms that have a shower or bathtub. These types of rooms have the potential for standing puddles of water that can damage wood floors.

No, the wax is not recommended. Wax may inhibit the adhesion of future application of top coating materials or make floors slippery. We don't recommend any cleaning products that contain wax, oil, or acrylic for this reason. See the Hardwood Flooring Maintenance section of this website for complete cleaning instructions.

If you like the color of your flooring and want to refresh the shine and cover surface scratches and traffic patterns this is the best process. A buff and coat is the perfect way to maintain your hardwood flooring. We buff the flooring just enough to allow the new coating to adhere and to remove surface scratches. You can choose from matte, satin, semi-gloss or gloss finish to complement your décor. The time between coats depends on the use; a busy kitchen may need it sooner than a formal living and dining room. Just make sure to not wait too long between coats and let the floors become damaged and in need of complete sand and finish.

The refinishing process is necessary to either change the color of the flooring or to remove old finish, dirt, scratches and surface stains. If you want to darken or lighten your floors, our team can sand the old finish from the floors and stain them a custom color of your choice. If the floors are worn, heavily scratched, or damaged but you would like to keep the same color, we can do that too. Our team will sand off the old finish and apply your favorite stain color and topcoat the floors with our Arboritec finish; they should look as good as new.

We're asked this question often because it seems the general thought is that pets (and small children) are too hard on wood floors. We can't help but be amused by this because, in our years of experience, the exact opposite is true!

Here's why. Carpet confines animal dander, shedding, fleas, ticks, dust and dirt, and odor. Pet stains are difficult to clean and really never go away. Dogs have oils on their skin that can transfer to the carpet and cause damage. Cats often prefer shredding the carpet with their claws rather than using a scratching post. Carpet will also wear faster and need to be replaced.

• Laminate is permanently damaged by scratches, chips, and dents made by your pets.
• Engineered wood can only be sanded, to repair scratches and the like, generally one to three times ... and then it will need to be replaced
• Hardwood floors sustain the same use and abuse by pets as carpeting or any other flooring; yet, they do not confine allergens, hair, dust, or odor.

Moisture damage from spills or pet urine can occur on laminate, engineered wood or hardwood flooring if it isn't wiped up quickly. Hardwood floors are the only type that can be fully restored in most cases. Hardwood can be sanded and refinished like new over and over again, for generations of pets and children.

Floors, just like the houses they are installed in, are meant to be used, enjoyed and lived on. Hardwood doesn't highlight little dings, dents, and nicks like other flooring - in fact, if they are noticeable, they add to the character and charm of the wood.

Dogs can do a lot of damage to any style of flooring like scratches and urine stains. They produce or stir up a great deal of dust, dirt, dander, shedding, fleas, ticks and odor you wouldn't have to deal with in a pet-free home.

So as a pet owner, I believe your flooring choice should reflect two main factors:

a) Ease in cleaning and repair

b) Health of your family

 Hardwood floors are a healthy and practical option for homeowners with pets.

Give us a call at (414) 645-2200 or email us. We would be happy to answer any questions you have.