Blog : Do It Yourself | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 22Flooring Supplies

Tile and Grout Cleaning on Your Floors

grout cleaning tiles — A professional cleaner cleaning grout with a brush blade and foamy soap on a gray tiled bathroom floor

If you want to clean between tiles for grout then you need to make sure you know the right way to do so. This is because you can loosen and remove the grout on your own prior to having to hire a professional to come do so at your home. This is something that is beneficial when the time comes to save some money, plus everything that you have to use can be found in the home and they are all natural just like the cleaning products that the tile & grout cleaning uses on your floors.

There is a number of tile & grout cleaning services to bring home, but using lemon juice and baking soda might be the better way to go depending on how much time you have. If you have a scrub pad and both of these items, you can try to remove the grout on your own easily. This is something that can be done simply, and without much hassle but it can be tedious if you find that you have a lot of cracks and crevices to cover when it comes time to get down and scrub the grout out.

You can also choose to clean the grout within the tiles by using a brillo brush to scrape in between the tiles to ensure that all of the grout is lifted from between the tiles and moved out of the way from the cracks of the floor. This is something that is beneficial since you want to ensure that the grout is completely removed and nothing is caked in between the cracks. You also want to make sure you get everything out by picking through the cracks. This is a more lengthy procedure and you’re going to want to make sure you remove everything, and keep upkeep on the tiles throughout the time so you do not have to keep removing the grout this way.

There are many other ways to remove grout from in between tiles. You can become creative with them when the time comes. All you have to do is find out what solutions are needed, and the best way to go about removing the grout. This is beneficial when the time comes to get everything together when it is needed. Make sure to maintain your home tiles as much as you can with minimal effort and by using natural eco friendly products. You will find that cleaning is easier than you originally thought.

Learn even more tips and tricks when you find out where you can get the carpet cleaning that you need. This is because you will be able to get the dirt and debris removed when the time comes to clean out between the cracks. Not only will it look and feel better, but it also will smell better which is a definite plus when it comes to the health and feel of your home and floors. You can learn more when you visit www.flooringSupplyShop.com. They will be able to give you all the tile and flooring information you need to know for a cleaner, healthier way of living.

Dealing with a flooring contractor

Installing new flooring or modifying an existing one is a crucial step for every homeowner. This is so, since different rooms are exposed to different environment and foot traffic, and therefore require customized flooring solutions. It is in order to ensure that the right flooring option is selected, and that it is installed in a proper manner that a number of households opt for the services of a professional contractor. However, not everyone has an idea of how to deal with contractors in order to get maximum benefit out of them.

Flooring contractors, although expensive, can ensure to select the right flooring option for your house and install it properly. In order to avail these benefits it is however, important to assist your flooring contractor. Following are a few ways in which you & your flooring contractor can mutually benefit each other.

Most of the problems faced by people while dealing with flooring contractors are due to a communication gap. In order to ensure that the flooring work continues smoothly, you should communicate your exact expectations and requirements to the contractor as early as possible. For example, you should clearly convey your maximum budget, type of flooring you require and the reasons for selecting a particular flooring option. Since these contractors are professionals they might be able to come up with a better solution after getting to know about your exact requirements. Lack of communication generally leads to misunderstandings during the latter stages of the flooring process.

Although, flooring contractors would have all the tools required for the job; they would still have some basic requirements that you need to fulfill. An electric point, source of running water, place to store the tools and a washroom are some of the resources that you need to provide them. Anticipating such needs and making arrangements prior to the initiation of the flooring job would make the job of your contractor much easier. Furthermore, early arrangements will also enable you to create a working space for your contractors and make other areas of your house off limits for them.

Flooring contractors generally do not appreciate frequent interference from the homeowners, but they prefer regular inputs from them. It is therefore, important that you survey the work that is being done and convey any discrepancies from what you had planned.

It is advised to mark the area being floored as off limits for the family members until the flooring job is completed. This step would ensure that there is no damage to the floor, if used before it sets in. For example, stone and tile can crack easily if walked upon before setting. Similarly, wood flooring can scratch, if it is used before the final coating has been applied.

In order to get the best results it is important to trust your contractor and to let them work without frequent intervention. Frequent disturbances and interventions from the homeowner’s side can lead to unfavorable outcomes in the flooring process.

Vinyl composeal waterproofing vs. fabric Schluter and Blanke

A leaky ceiling or wet basement is a huge problem which, a lot of homeowners are facing these days. It can cause damage to furniture, walls and floors. In addition the dampness also attracts wood rot and termites which can aggravate the damage caused. Since home is probably a person’s most expensive investment, it is important that homeowners take adequate measures to prevent damages to their house. Waterproofing is an important measure you can take to prevent water from damaging your house, eventually safeguarding your investment as well as the house. Some of the popular waterproofing options you can use include vinyl (composeal) and fabric (Schluter and Blanke). These can be used for basement, foundation, floors, walls, leaking ceiling and other sections of the building structures.

Whether you are building or remodeling your home, you should install waterproofing system to prevent penetration of water. Vinyl (composeal) waterproofing system is quite popular with homeowners as it is long-wearing and lasts for decades. Along with durability, it is easy to assemble and very affordable. The Composeal vinyl fabric provides protection against common shrinkage cracks, common in houses and prevents moisture migration as well as water damage. Moreover, it has an excellent bonding strength and can be easily installed on terraces, roof decks or any kind of flooring, including marbles, tile, stone or brick. In addition, it also provides excellent resistance against chemicals. Only drawback is that the place should be well ventilated as this fabric does not breathe, and if the underside of the fabric gets wet then it might lead to mildew growth.

You can even opt for the Schluter fabric waterproofing which is reliable, durable and easy to install. This bonded waterproof membrane is appropriate for ceramic tiles and other kinds of floor as it does not give moisture a chance to penetrate. In addition, it also has crack bridging capabilities and also acts as a vapor block. Moreover, it does not constitute any hazardous wastes and is physiologically safe. It can be easily installed using a dry-set hydraulic adhesive without requiring any waiting period.

Another popular option being used at residential and commercial buildings is the Blanke waterproofing fabric. These are durable and be installed easily on most of the surfaces that are flat, dry and structurally sound, with help of thinset. In addition, it is ideal for steam rooms as it provides a vapor barrier. It also provides a long lasting barrier against moisture and is effective even in areas such as bathrooms and shower stalls which have continuous moisture penetration. Even the tiles can be installed directly on it without any need for cure time, which is generally required for liquid applied products. Furthermore, the Blanke fabric also offers resistance to mold growth, UV destabilization as well as adverse effects of chemicals. Hence, Blanke waterproofing fabric proves to be a convenient option, which is durable, cost-effective and easy to install.

Before opting for a flooring option, you need to make a detailed study of the choices available. Along with that you also need to assess your waterproofing requirements and accordingly make the decision.

Things to know about before tiling

Tiles are one of the most popular choices for various areas of the house, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. Some of the factors that make tiles so popular include high durability, ease of installation, availability of different designs and the related cost. Tiling is generally considered as an easy Do-It-Yourself project; however, there are a number of factors that you should keep in mind before initiating the tiling process.

The first major decision that you will have to make will be selecting from a wide range of tiles that are available in the market. This decision will be based on two factors, namely the tile material and the tile size. Ceramic, porcelain and stone are the most popular tiling material that is selected by people. A stone tile is renowned for its aesthetic appeal as well as its high durability. On the other hand, porcelain and ceramic tiles are comparatively inexpensive that stone times, and are aesthetically appealing as well.

Tiling size can significantly impact your project by affecting the effort put in by you as well as the end result. Generally, tiles of size 12”x 12” are considered to be ideal for a tiling project; however, these days you can find tiles of varying sizes. 6” x 6” tiles are also popular among homeowners, but they increase the effort required to complete the tiling project. Furthermore, large tiles are quite difficult to set evenly, thereby affecting the final outcome of the project.

After finalizing on the size and material of the tiles, it is important to select the pattern and design on the tiles. Since tiles can significantly affect the visuals of a room, it is important to select tiles that match with the décor of a particular room. For example, light colored tiles are generally preferred in the shower area to create a comfortable environment. On the other hand, the kitchen area should preferably be covered with dark colored tiles.

Next, you should carefully decide whether you want to use epoxy based grout or cement grout. Grouting is an essential aspect of a tiling project since it can ensure that the tiles stay in place for a long duration of time. Although epoxy grouts are highly effective, and errors during the installation process are quite hard to fix once epoxy grout has been installed. Grout color is also essential to ensure that the grouted area blends in with the tile décor.

Finally, you should have the proper tools and equipment to ensure an effective tiling job. Spacers are essential to ensure even spaces between two subsequent tiles. Leveling systems, such as the Tuscan leveling system, ensure that you are able to install tiles without any lippage. Being prepared with such tools beforehand will enable you to install a uniform and highly durable tiled floor.

Thus, it is evident that although tiling is quite a simple task, it is important to consider various factors to ensure maximum effectiveness. In case you are not confident of completing the job yourself, it is advised to hire a professional contractor.

DIY projects An ideal option for overcoming the economic slowdown

With the economic slowdown affecting everyone in some way or the other, people are on the lookout for measures to reduce their expenses. A major portion of a homeowner’s income goes towards several home repair and renovation jobs. It is one cost you cannot restrain as there is always some or other home repair or improvement required to be done. Hiring a professional contractor for house repair or improvement proves quite expensive and home owners are now opting to do these jobs themselves.

The ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) home repair or improvement measures have gained popularity over the past few years. Due to the rising price of materials as well as fees of professional contractors, homeowners are opting to do the repair jobs on their house, on their own. These require diligence as well as knowledge since, carpentry or plumbing activities not simple.

Moreover, with substantial information available on the net, the DIY enthusiasts can easily accomplish different projects such as tiling, grouting, carpentering and flooring, easily.

The DIY projects help the homeowners save significant amount of money which they would otherwise have to give it to their contractors. Before starting any DIY project you must gather all the information about the different aspects of the task, including tools and materials required. You can get information on the internet, or better, take help of your friends who have completed similar task before so that you can learn from their experience.

Moreover, since you are not dependent on the contractors for material, you can choose any material as per your requirement and budget. You must also survey the market so that you can get quality material at less cost. Be sure not to compromise on the quality just to save a few dollars. Since you are doing the job yourself, you can define the time and deadlines for the task. Along with saving money, it also gives an opportunity to test your skills and get the sense accomplishment on completing the job properly.

Home improvement and repairs, cannot be escaped if you wish to keep the house in good condition. However it can involve significant expenditure, which is not favored by many, especially due to the economic slowdown. In such a condition, doing the job yourself rather than hiring a contractor can save homeowners a lot of money. Irrespective of the size of the job, any opportunity to save on extra expenditure will always prove beneficial. Before staring any DIY project, you must gather all the information as well as tools required so that you can carry the job effectively. Only precaution while doing the task is that you must judge yourself and ensure you are fit for the task. Apart from this, you must keep in mind that, it takes a great deal of patience to perform any repair or renovation job; therefore you need to approach the repair or renovation task only after you have gained ample knowledge and defined a reasonable time line to finish it. This ensures that you do not mess up things and incur more expenses fixing it.

Category: Do It Yourself

Tile and Grout Cleaning on Your Floors

Dealing with a flooring contractor

Vinyl composeal waterproofing vs. fabric Schluter and Blanke

Things to know about before tiling

DIY projects An ideal option for overcoming the economic slowdown

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