Posts Tagged ‘floors’

Epoxy Paint For Garage Floor

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

For quite a long time now Epoxy paints have been on the scene.  Their characteristics of being oil and grease-resistant coupled with hardness and long life makes their use ideal for industrial floors. But in the past few years it is being used by homeowners also.

It’s not uncommon to see their application on garage and outdoor concrete floors of many of the householders.These paints can cover dull, gray concrete and provide you with easy to clean surfaces.Some of the advantages associated with the use of epoxy floor paints are: Durability, freedom from rusting, waterproofing and resistance to heat, salt and acid. An average house owner will find it reasonably priced. If your floor has spots that are always wet or sweats then you shouldn’t apply concrete floor paint because there is too much moisture coming from underneath and the paint won’t last very long.

Basically there are three types of epoxies: 100% solids, solvent-based and water-based.  The strongest and the most expensive are 100% solids for being applied by professionals only. The most often used epoxies for industrial applications are the solvent based category.Their solid content is 40-60%. Application of solvent based epoxies on the floor of your garage or basement makes it necessary to keep your floor ventilated.

They are easily available at any store that deals with industrial goods.Water based epoxies on the other hand are the lowest priced. Being strong enough, they can be used for residential purpose.These epoxies can be found at most home improvement stores. There is quite a vast range of available colors.

Some manufacturers offer computerized color matching also.
Most of the brands in the market claim that epoxies are good for exterior purpose only. The claims hold good for some of the stronger coatings.Some people live in harsh climate, it would be better if they check out acid-based and acrylic concrete stains before deciding to use paint.

Preparation of the garage floor is the first step in the  application of epoxy paint.Most of the epoxy coating failures i have witnessed are as a result of wrong or little surface preparation.  You will first need to clean the floor with a hard bristled brush and and then clear away any debris that will result.  Next, you should use a mild acid for scrubbing of floor for a thorough cleaning.These are usually referred to as acid etching.

This is followed by Scrubbing the concrete floor with warm soapy water and clearing it away also.At the end of it all, you may still be left with certain water soluble impurities that need to be rid of by scrubbing the floor with a de-greaser and rinsing it off with water.The mild acid does not remove grease and oils from the garage floors. You should ensure that water used for rinsing does not remain stuck on the floor, but if it does, you have to repeat the process once again.

After all the cleaning you need to leave the floor for overnight drying.During epoxy concrete paint application, It is important to ensure a consistent application. You should also make sure that the humidity is at the accepted levels to prevent the coating from blistering and discoloring. Two to three coats of the paint are usually adequate.

A proper installation ensures years of service and a regular maintenance further enhances is life.

Use Floor Buffer Polisher To Save Time

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Floor scrubbers usually have next feaetures:cleaning, shampooing, washing and floor drying - all these are necessary to have for a clean and shiny looking floors. If you would do the same amount of work manually, you would need to spend hours and one machine could handle it in minutes. Polishing and scrubbing of the floor can now be done by just pressing a button. Good home wood floor scrubber will be able to get rid of all the bad scratches and the marks that are on the flooring.

All floor buffers have two basic parts:pads that we use to clean, mop and scrub and the tank that is filled with a cleaning solution. We need to use pads for cleaning and polishing of the flooring, this way it will gain excellent shiny glaze. Protection to the floors will be made with the floor finishing process so the bruising will not be notices at all. After you take care of all the scuff marks and the scratches on the floor, the finish will include buffing of the entire area. A heavy duty cleaner is a great solution when you have some ceramic tile floors in your home.

A lot of different attachments and features can be found withing floor buffers, since a lot of brands are making them. And there will be many different price tags too. The first question you need to ask yourself if you are thinking about a floor buffer for your home:What type of flooring are you going to clean? Exactly how often should my floors be cleaned? Should I have x or y features? Are the expenses I have really giving me something in return? When you figure these out, you will be able to find the right floor buffer polisher for your needs.

The answers here are a great start for new buyers, so you can browse online shops for new models or simply visit your local shop. A wood floor scrubber that will be best for your circumstances is soemthing you will stumble upon in time.

Easy Tips For Epoxy Floor Repair

Friday, September 18th, 2009

You should consider changing your attitude of you think that epoxy floors are tough to repair. This may seem to be quite a task to some homeowners. In case you have a handyman skills, you can do this task without blinking. It’s not hard to follow the steps of epoxy floor repair. In fact, anybody can actually do it if they try.

Purchase some repair kits from the nearest store that has home improvement products, or visit a shop online. You will be given a complete package and it would contain everything that you need to repair your epoxy floor.

Damaged areas will be repaired with epoxy patches that will come with the kit you buy in a store. These kits work with almost all types of concrete floor, regardless of the use and traffic it gets.

Surface that has epoxy paints on them are quite easily and quickly repaired. It is a biggest reason so many people like to have this covering option for their floor. You will only need to invest few minutes to repair epoxy flooring, which is nothing when compared to applying epoxy paint that takes a lot of time.

You should not braek the tiles or concrete just to fix the epoxy paint that is on them, that is not necessary. It is possible for this to happem with ceramic tiles, but not with epoxy paint. This repairing process is very easy and you should do it without any help. When you start with repairing the damaged area, you will need need a handy man to mix your solvents and help you with the work.

Just follow the instructions on the label and you should be all set. It’s recommended that you purchase repair kits from a known brand since they will be safer and odor free. Another good thing about it is that these repair kits dries out easily.

As such, your garage won’t experience downtime, to say the least. You will be able to enjoy in your floor tomorrow, in case you applied the repair putty today.

Your Hardwood Floors Can Be More Beautiful With A Floor Buffer

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

You can’t start the cleaning of your floors if you do not know what kind of flooring you have, so that is the first thing to do. There are surface sealed floors that do not require much maintenance, and if your floor is new, you probably have one of these already. If your floor is older, it is probably a penetrating seal treated floor. You will need to apply more oils and wax to maintain this type of floor.

For cleaning hardwood floors, in the case of a surface sealed floor, you merely need to mop using a product recommended by your flooring manufacturer. To be safe, use only products that do not have any oil included. Use some soap and a damp mop on this type of floor and you will be safe. Make sure to dry the floor completely when you’re done, since sitting water can damage a surface sealed floor.

You can’t mop with water based products if you have penetrating seal treated floor installed. You can instead use vacuum or sweep your floor. To deep-clean your floors, you will have to strip the old wax and apply the new coating from time to time. Usually, you will need to do this two times a year, but you can do it more often.

Manufacturers directions should be follower while using stripper here. For your hardwood floors to dry properly you need to have good ventilation. Now you can buy some wax that can be applied on your wood floor and you are ready. Read the instructions so you can properly apply the number of coats you wish for.

In the last step you have to use a machine, it can as well be a used floor scrubber. You will have to use this process so that the wax can sink in properly and the floor can be sealed and shiny. Most people think it is a great idea to buy wood floor buffer because it helps them finish the job sooner and with less hassle. You may be interested in knowing that by purchasing the hardwood floor buffer machine, it will pay for itself after just three to four cleanings.

Cleaning Services Are Best When You Use Grout Cleaner

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Local carpet cleaners are the best place to locate your new grout cleaning handy man. People who know their stuff will use a pressure washer so they can clean deep own the grout. The pressure washer usually utilizes hot water and has powerful suction to suck the dirt out while it vacuums the mess away. Since this washer is using quite strong chemicals to do the business, you won’t find it in a public use at all. If you do not use those kinds of chemicals in your home and are concerned, you can find services that use strictly steam to clean your tile and grout. But, I would say they are not so good for this job.

Cleaning service does not only do a intense cleaning job, it will also offer you to more benefits to enjoy in. The first thing is, you won’t lose any time at all. Cleaning an entire tile floor with grout can take close to an entire day if you are doing it yourself, with a single brush. The technicians can get the job done very quickly. And then, you won’t have to kneel down over the tile floor during the entire day and suffer from a back pain days after you finish the job. You can enjoy your gleaming grout and tile more if you are not nursing sore joints.

I find that it is best to compromise. Besides calling cleaning service to take care of my floors, I also love to do some grout cleaning on my own and make the floors look much better. There is plenty of dirt deep down the grout, the one you can’t see at all, so it is a great idea to hire cleaning service so they can use their heavy duty machines and clean the grout deep down.

In case you do some cleaning by yourself and pay attention to when the carpet cleaners came, you can have a lot easier cleaning job and better looking floors. If you can keep the dirt on top of the surface and now allow it to go deep down, you won’t have to use grout cleaning services so often.

Take The Time To Seal Your Grout

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Be aware that the ceramic tile floor is very easy to maintain and very durable, and this is not easy to find. But, there are some things you can do to make your floor look the best way possible, like with any other well used surface.

Sealing the grout is one of the processes homeowners usually overlook. Customers who buy glazed tiles often think that they are free from grout sealing since the tiles themselves do not need to be sealed. There are a lot of installers that will claim how grout does not need to be sealed, but you will clean your tiles much easier if you do this. It also helps to repel water and stains from the porous grout surface. This simple process also goes a long way for homeowners who are preparing their home for sale. Sparkling grout lines are a great way to make an impression and make it last.

There are only few simple rules you need to take with grout sealant.

You can start sealing after 30 days if you have a new floor that needs your attention.

Apply neutral PH cleaner to clean the grout before you start sealing it. Use a damp mop to prevent water from pooling in the joints. Never clean with bleach or strong acids such as vinegar, as they will break down the grout in time. Be prepared to use the brush along the grout lines to remove the dirt and stains, especially if you are dealing with old tile floor. Get all the debris from the surface with the help of water and wait for tiles to dry.

It can happen that the grout is stained to the extreme and that cleaning can’t help to restore its looks. Using grout stain pen helps a lot in these situations. The color you find fit for your grout should be ran along the grout line. Since it has sealer inside, it will do two tasks at the same time.

One tip for the end, do not mix the brands. The finished result is much more effective when you re-apply the same product.

Floorings - What You Need to Know about Laminate Flooring

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Although carpet and hardwood are great options in many areas of the home, they are sometimes inadequate.  Certain areas of the home like the kitchen, or garage, typically demand a greater level of durability and resilience.  Carpet absorbs stains and moisture too easily, leading to a dingy looking surface that may also attract odors.  Hardwood offers a tougher surface than carpet, but it also suffers from problems with moisture.  A moist hardwood eventually warps and cracks.  After many seasons of expansion and contraction, moisture damage can become very apparent with a hardwood floor.

Places in which water damage and accidents occur can result in scratching or gouging in the flooring as well.  Laminate flooring is a wonderful solution for water damage and durability issues.  With a laminate floor, designers can have the aesthetic allure of hardwood, while dodging many of the normal pitfalls.  Laminate flooring is very resilient when it comes to moisture issues and will not absorb water.  Stains are not an issue, and with prompt clean up, will cause no lasting damage at all.
Best of all, laminate flooring is very well priced, and can be found in a great selection of shades, colors, and styles. 

Laying down laminate flooring is also relatively simple.  As soon as a set of tiles can be unwrapped, check each to make sure there are no broken tiles.  Once certain that all the tiles are in good condition, give the tiles a few days to acclimate to their new climate.  There may be some contraction or expansion involved when the laminate flooring tiles arrive in a new setting. 

Make certain to follow all manufacturer guidelines that are included with the tile product.  Specific instructions on how to glue the tiles are critical, and can affect the overall performance of the tile.  It is also important to ensure that the tiles are placed with a quarter of an inch space between the wall and the flooring.  Although a great deal of tools isn’t required for in home installation, you may need something to cut the tile around corners, fireplaces, stairs, etc.  A wet tile saw would definitely be adequate to cut laminate flooring.

Having a level surface for laying down tiles is also crucial.  Be certain to fill any holes in the subflooring, or sand away any protruding areas that might stick up afterward.

Visit floor options to read an updated version about discount laminate flooring and more information about Pergo laminate flooring.

Cleaning Tile and Grout After Your Pets

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Possibly the biggest challenge that goes with having your household floor tiled is contending with your own pets. These creatures are loving and soothing animals; we all know this to be true. But it is also true that they would have to go and do some toilet business at one point. And if they were not house-trained while young, then the homeowner would have to continuously clean his or her whole living room that is also one large toilet.

The first thing you have to worry about is pet pee. When your animal companion pees onto tiles, the grout will absorb the liquid; there will be some left even if you scrub thoroughly. As it is liquid, you have to clean it immediately without letting it have time to settle deep. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that they will sometimes go without you knowing.

Droppings are a secondary issue, but those are problems nonetheless. If you leave it there for some time, the porous nature of the grout will be enough to let some in. As before, once inside, it will be difficult to remove. One would have to resort to very heavy-duty-cleansers. But if you do that, then you risk the pets interacting with potentially harmful chemicals.

If you house-train your pet, then you’ve already made sure that this won’t be a problem for you. Teach it to do its business in a location pre-determined by you; that way, your tiles and grout will be unfazed by their biological habits. If you have an older pet, though, it will be hard to teach it new tricks. A less than desirable option for this scenario is to keep them outside the house.

I am opposed to keeping them out, however, so you can instead follow my example. For the case of my five-year old dog, I still let him inside the house, and I just clean up after him as much as I can. It’s a task, yes, but if I do it immediately, then it will take some time for the bio waster to affect my floor. When that does happen, I just call on the professional grout cleaners. They can clean the spots that I just can’t with their strong detergents. Besides that, they will use environmentally safe formulas, too, if you ask for it.

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Tile and Grout Myths

Monday, May 4th, 2009

The recession continues to take its toll on the average American; and to compensate, we are continuously searching for ways to have a simple, low maintenance lifestyle. One such option that homeowners are starting to look into is the concept of using tile. Tile becomes the perfect choice, especially for the states that enjoy milder climate. Sadly, there are a lot of negative perceptions about tiles that are simply not true. Be sure you are well-informed before discarding the idea of getting tiled floor. Here are some of the more common myths about tile:

1. Getting tiles is expensive. In truth, there are actually a wide variety of prices for tiles, ranging from about a dollar to $25 per square foot. But picture this; tile can last a lifetime, so it will be more cost-efficient in the end when compared to carpeting.

2. Tile designs aren’t inspired. Yes, there are tile designs that are plain as plain can be. But if you have an artistic eye, you’ll be able to contrive a tile design that will be a very exciting mix of color and shapes. Or you could tone it down to an understated, but very tasteful design. If you’re not sure, better get a designer in.

3. Tiled floor requires high maintenance. This is pure rubbish; and in fact, the opposite true. Wooden flooring can be warped by water or damaged by scratches, whereas tile is tough and durable.

4. Tile is a magnet for dirt and dust. You will be required to call in professional help from qualified grout cleaning services from time to time, but this won’t happen very frequently. Tile will still stay cleaner a lot longer than most other types of flooring. If you or a family member suffers from asthma, allergies or other lung ailments, then tile will be the best choice for you.

5. Tile is easily breakable. Yes, tile may crack and break, but only if it’s not installed properly. If it’s placed on the surface with care, it will resist breakage from impact from falling objects. Fact is; there are tiles from the Roman Empire that survive intact until now.

6. Tiles and grout cleaning is a tedious chore. This is a defunkable myth, as one can hire professional grout cleaners to do the job for them. Grout will collect mold and become a health hazard if you ignore cleaning duties, so you will have to do a very minimal amount of cleaning yourself.

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Tile and Grout Cleaning as Factual Necessity

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

The bathroom is a handful to clean. You should mind both the tiles on the walls and on the floor, but aside from that, you should also pay attention to the grout that is on everything else. You get yourself dirty, scrubbing whilst on your hands and knees, and it’s uncomfortable and oxymoronic. Using cleaning detergents while you get dirty yourself.

But, it’s a fact that we have to keep the bathroom clean. Moist areas in the bathroom will start to grow mold, if you don’t do maintenance and upkeep very often. When mold grows, the floor will become slippery, and may be the likely cause of accidents, which should be avoided, as you will most probably be locked in and in the shower when this happens. People won’t be able to help you immediately.

And these are the innocent types of mold that I’m talking about. If you are very unfortunate, you can get the fungus called black mold colonizing your bathroom and when this happens, it will be a hazard for your health. This potentially airborne organism likes places that are moist and warm. Incidentally, bathroom tiles and grout are just such places. And worse, so are your lungs. When they’ve grown to large numbers, they could get into your lungs and stay there.

If you have a cough that doesn’t go away, or always feel drained and tired even though you haven’t done anything strenuous, then your lungs may already be infected by black mold. Going to see a doctor is best, but you should tackle the root of the problem too. Do something about your dirty bathroom.

Cleaning the bathroom is a required task for every homeowner. Fortunately, he or she doesn’t have to be the one doing it. The homeowner can instead decide to get professional tile and grout cleaners on the job. If you are one of these homeowners, then Richmond Tile and Grout Cleaning are the people you’d want to talk to..

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