Winter can be harsh on your home, so it’s essential to winterize your floors to prevent damage from cold temperatures, moisture, and increased foot traffic. As the season brings snow, ice, and muddy boots into your home, proactively protecting your flooring will save you headaches later. Here’s a look at how to keep your floors in great condition with expert-backed strategies for insulation, moisture prevention, and damage control.

If things are going poorly for your hardwood floor, it’ll most likely tell you by displaying one of a few symptoms that are surefire signs of damage.