Best Tiles for Outdoor Use

Not all tiles are created equal. Some are better suited for outdoor use than others. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best options in the market so you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor space.

Travertine

Travertine is a form of natural stone with beautiful texture and color. Considered a form of limestone, this stone is mined around natural mineral spring deposits. Although very attractive and hard, it has a slightly pitted surface that may collect dirt unless it is polished smooth. And highly polished travertine can be very slippery when wet. The quality of travertine varies considerably, depending on where it was quarried. For patio use, travertine from Turkey or Italy is regarded as a more water-resistant choice than stone from Mexico or China. Source: TheSpruce

Slate

This tile is durable and strong, and it also has a natural surface texture. This means it will be slip-resistant without you having to do anything else to it.

You can find slate in a variety of colors, including dark colors like black and grey and brighter colors like green or orange. Source: Rubi

Porcelain

Porcelain tiles are manufactured out of clay-based materials that are fired at a very high temperature. This process makes the porcelain tiles hard, dense, highly durable, non-porous and moisture resistant, and hence a good choice for the outdoors. These tiles are available in a variety of sizes, colours, designs and textures. Go for anti-slip porcelain tiles with a rough finish. Source: Houzz

Granite

Granite tiles are the hardest natural stone tiles, so you’ll find them very durable and resilient to the elements. It is one of the best outdoor tile options if you are looking for natural stone. Consider granite if you live in a part of the country that experiences significant weather shifts from season to season. Granite tiles are also available in a range of colors, from striking white to moody black. Source: BuildDirect

Would you like to replace your damaged or chipped tiles at home? Let us save you some money through tile repair. It’s faster and more cost-effective. No need to find spare tiles! Call us for a free estimate.

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Maintenance Tips That Won’t Damage Your Hardwood Floors

When it comes to flooring, nothing is more chic or timeless than hardwood floors. However, they can be a bit of a hassle to maintain. If you aren’t careful, you could end up damaging your floors with some common maintenance mistakes. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Here are some tips that will help you keep your hardwood floors looking their best without risking any damage.

Recognize the warning signs

Knowing how to clean hardwood floors isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to immaculate wood flooring. The environment that surrounds your floor is also a big component of their care and durability. Wood reacts dramatically to temperature and humidity, so it’s important to understand these elements too, even if they’re out of your control. Your best line of defense is being aware of red flags. “The nice thing about wood is that it’s a natural product, so it’ll tell you if it’s not happy,” Brett explains.

If there’s too much moisture on, around, or below the wood, it will cup. Eliminate the source of the water, especially any standing water, to stop this from occurring. Exceedingly dry conditions induce gapping, cracking, and splitting. Here, a humidifier should do the trick. “Adding a little moisture to the air will allow your floor to settle back down. It’ll make it happy again,” Brett says. Source: ArchitecturalDigest

Invest in furniture pads

Scratches are some of the toughest problems to solve in wood floors. While some scratches are inevitable, others are definitely preventable. One of the best ways to prevent them is to add furniture pads to the legs of your chairs, sofas, tables, etc. Source: HouseBeautiful

Do a deep clean

The best way to clean hardwood floors starts with preventive measures and routine cleaning, but sometimes a deeper clean is in order. Dirt, oil, and grime build up over time and aren’t completely removed by a weekly dusting.

For how to deep clean hardwood floors (consider doing this cleaning in the spring or just before the winter holidays), use a wood floor mop and wood floor cleaning product diluted according to the label instructions. Saturate a sponge or rag mop in the water, then wring it almost dry so it feels only slightly damp to the touch. Damp-mop the floor, being careful to prevent standing water on the floor. If the cleaning product requires it, rinse the surface with a clean mop dampened in clean water. Wipe up excess liquid immediately because standing water can damage wood surfaces. If the weather is humid, operate a ceiling fan or the air-conditioner to speed up drying. If cleaning isn’t cutting it, you might need to refinish the wood floors to help them look new. Source: BHG

Do you have chipped hardwood floors at home? Don’t worry. We got you covered! Call us today for a free estimate!

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Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring

Laminate and vinyl flooring are two of the most popular types of flooring around, but they both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. So, which one should you choose for your home? Here’s a look at their major differences:

What is vinyl flooring?

Standard vinyl flooring usually consists of four layers of materials. The first, or bottom, layer of these is the backing layer, generally made of cork or foam. It is designed to serve as the underlayment for the vinyl flooring so that you do not have to install another material prior to laying down the vinyl flooring. Additionally, it functions as a cushion to make walking on the floor more comfortable and a sound barrier to keep noise at bay.

What is laminate flooring?

Unlike natural flooring options like wood, stone or cork, laminate flooring is a synthetic material. It’s made up of four different layers—wear, décor, core and backer—that are sealed together in the lamination process. It is intentionally designed to be durable as well as affordable. Because of the décor layer (a printed image), it can recreate the look of more expensive flooring types like wood, tile or stone. Source: Forbes

Water resistance

The major difference between laminate and vinyl flooring is water resistance, with vinyl as the big winner here. Most modern vinyl floors are made of 100% polymer materials, which means they can withstand heavy amounts of water. It can be immersed in water, dried out, and reused as normal. Also, vinyl sheets allow you to install a single sheet for a whole room, which means no seams for water to seep through.

Laminate has limited moisture resistance. There’s a fiberboard core in most products, which can swell or soften if it’s exposed to moisture for a prolonged amount of time. This waterlogged center can eventually cause the top layers to peel away. So, laminate may not be an ideal option for rooms where high moisture is prevalent, like family bathrooms or laundry rooms. Source: ThisOldHouse

Appearance

No matter your budget, you’re likely striving to achieve the best possible finished look. Both laminate and vinyl can visually mimic any type of wood, tile, or stone. You can choose a look right down to the wood species and match your floors with any decor style or color palette.

Both types of flooring also offer realistic three-dimensional embossing to mimic natural wood grain textures and stylistic choices, such as hand-scraping, distressed wood, and more. These textures look and feel best on thicker planks, giving laminate the edge unless you choose a vinyl product with a thicker core. Source: Angi

Cost

Laminate is sometimes found at lower prices compared to vinyl. This depends on what type of style and features you’re looking for. With vinyl vs laminate, the price is relatively comparable. Both are considered to be two of the most budget-friendly flooring options. Source: BuildDirect

Need someone to help with your flooring needs? Give us a call and we’ll give you a free estimate!

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Grout Removal Tools

Grout is one of those things that homeowners have to deal with from time to time. It can be a pain to clean or remove, but there are some tools out there that can make the job a lot easier. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best grout removal tools out there and discuss how they work. 

Dremel

The Dremel grout removal tool is relatively cheap and does a good job when the proper kit is attached. This guides the tool in a straight line along the grout so you don’t end up using the tool directly against the tile. The guide can be adjusted to go deeper in the grout and the high speeds means it operates quickly.

You will need to replace the bit when it wears down. Some people have reported that these bits have a tendency to break quite easily while the tool can periodically overheat. Users also say it’s not very efficient with grout that’s less than 1/8-inch wide. Source: DoItYourself

Angle Grinder

An angle grinder is a powerful tool best suited to large grout removal projects with a lot of long, straight lines. They can easily cut through epoxy, sanded, or unsanded grout. Like rotary tools, their spinning disk requires a 1/8-inch gap between tiles to avoid damage. The main drawback with angle grinders is the excessive amount of dust they fling into the air, quickly creating a breathing hazard, so wear a standard N95 dust mask to filter out particles. Source: BobVila

Grout Grabber

A grout grabber is a convenient attachment for a reciprocating saw. This can make removing grout simple and will allow you to cut away grout very quickly. Removing the grout from any joint will be easier when you have this tool available to use. You’ll be able to fit it in exactly where it needs to go and the process won’t take long at all.

This is also a good way to remove grout without making a huge mess. It is another option that doesn’t create a lot of dust when you’re using it. If you want to remove the grout without having to clean up a bunch of dust afterward, then you’ll love making use of this tool. It’s convenient and simple to use, so it’s hard not to recommend it. Source: HomeStratosphere

Do you need to replace the grout on your flooring? Give us a call and we’ll give you a free estimate!

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How to Fix Squeaky Flooring Under the Carpet

If you’ve ever lived in a home with carpet, then you know the sinking feeling you get when you hear that first squeak coming from the floor. It’s usually followed by a sense of dread, as you know that means it’s only going to get worse. But don’t worry, there are ways to fix squeaky flooring without replacing the entire floor! This blog post will show you how to identify where the noise is coming from and how to fix it.

Identify the Squeaky Areas 

Slowly walk over the flooring until you locate the areas where the squeaking sounds occur. If possible, have someone help you to make the job easier.

Mark the Problem Spots

Tear off strips of the masking tape. Use the strips of tape to mark off the squeaky floor areas you have found. Source: DoItYourself

Locate the Joist Using a Stud Finder

If removing wall-to-wall carpet is too much for you to tackle, there’s another method that may allow yo to fix the squeaks from above, without removing the carpet.  Using a stud finder, locate the floor joist beneath the carpet in the area of the squeak. Joists usually run perpendicular to the front and rear walls of a home so check that direction first. Source: MoneyPit

Or Use a Joist-Finding Tool

Insert a joist-finding bit into a drill/driver. This type of bit doesn’t have cutting edges like a normal drill bit, but instead has threads like a screw that extends about 3/4 inch from the tip of the bit. This type of bit doesn’t drill, but drives into the wood like a screw. If you miss the joist, the bit spins freely; however, when you hit the joist the bit will dig in, telling you its exact location.

Drive down nails using a hammer

Place a 2-1/2-inch finish nail on the mark. Drive it down tight with a hammer. When it sinks below the carpet, keep hammering it. Rub your fingers down on the carpet if you’re not sure how far the nail has penetrated. If you can’t feel it, it’s OK.

Test for creaks by walking around on the spot where it was creaking. If it still creaks, place another nail 3 inches from the first. If you need to identify which direction the joists are running under the floor, tap on the floor. The solid thud will indicate which direction the joist are running. Place the nail accordingly.

Measure to the next joist if the creaking persists. Measure 16 inches across the floor according to how the joists run, from the first nail. Use the joist-finding bit to make sure you are over a joist and then drive nails into this joist until the creaking stops. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

Need help in tackling squeaky flooring at home? Call us and get a free estimate!

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Are Robot Vacuums Good for Carpeted Floor?

Are you considering getting a robot vacuum to clean your carpets? You may be wondering if they really work and if they are worth the investment. Read on to see if this cool gadget is for you.

You still have to clean up 

Modern homes are filled with obstacles that can snarl or tangle or otherwise trap your robot in the middle of a cleaning session. Charging cables are a guaranteed stopper, no matter how nimble your robot is. Stray socks (and other types of laundry) are almost as bad. Many bots struggle on tall or wide thresholds, and some can’t even climb from a bare floor onto a rug.

If you keep your floors clutter-free, your bot will run smoothly, for the most part. The most important step is to get in the habit of picking up your laundry and cords.

But in some homes, no matter how diligent you are about eliminating traps and obstacles, some bots will find a way to get stuck from time to time, and you’ll have to get used to rescuing them.

Source: NYTimes

It only has a small dust box

In theory, you can go months without cleaning out a stand-up vacuum cleaner. However, this isn’t the case with a robot. “Unlike your traditional in-home or upright vacuum, a robot vacuum does not have a large container to hold all of the dust and dirt collected,” Kelso points out. “This means you have to constantly dump the dustbin out more often than you would on a standard vacuum cleaner.” Source: RD

The good thing is it can pick up pet hair

Furry household members are one of the top reasons to invest in a robot vacuum. Frequent vacuuming cuts down on dust, dander, and hair and keeps it from getting ground into carpeting. 

Consider how much time you spend vacuuming each week to keep up with Fido and Fluffy. Don’t forget — Fido is often not the only shedder in the house. Girls with long hair outnumber the boys in my home and I’m routinely finding hair everywhere — thankfully the robot vacuum collects most of it. Source: TomsGuide

If you feel like your carpet is in need of a deep clean, maybe a robovac is not the answer. Call us and we’ll help you out!

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How to Remove Carpet Glue

Removing carpet glue can be a daunting task, but it’s not impossible. With the right tools and techniques, you can have the job done in no time. Here are a couple of tips to help you get started!

What is carpet glue?

Carpet glue is an adhesive product which is designed to be used in carpet installations. Numerous companies manufacture these adhesives, including some carpet manufacturers which produce specialty glues to go with their products. Home supply and hardware stores usually carry this adhesive product or can order it for their customers, and people can also order it in bulk directly from manufacturers.

While carpeting does not necessarily need to be glued when it is installed, carpet glue can greatly improve the quality of a carpet installation. Glue will prevent slippage, keeping the carpet in place over time, and it can help the carpet last longer. It can also be very useful for installations like stairs, where carpet tacks alone would not be able to withstand years of routine use. Adhesives are also used for carpet installations in settings like cars, where the carpet must adhere to curved contours rather than just lying flat. Source: Wise-geek

Grab a scraping tool

Your first measure is to manually remove as much glue as you can with a scraping tool. While this may not banish every last bit of carpet glue from the floor, getting rid of as many large pieces as possible is a good starting point before moving on to other techniques for how to remove carpet glue. Use a paint scraper, spackling knife, 5-in-1 tool, or a razor blade—just be sure the tool has a handle with a comfortable grip. Wear flexible work gloves to spare your hands; knee pads are also advisable during what could otherwise be a painful chore. Source: BobVila

Use an adhesive remover

Adhesive remover can be a great addition to your removal of the leftover carpet padding glue. Adhesive remover should always be applied using safety precautions. For example, never apply the adhesive remover without putting on protective gloves, eyewear, and mask. Last, make sure your room is well ventilated. Source: DoItYourself

Save time and effort by leaving the carpet removal to the pros. Call us today and get a free estimate.

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