Grout Medic Denver Blog

Tile VS Carpet

By Grout Medic | 9-20-2016

Are you deciding between tile and carpet? Here are a few pros and cons to ceramic or porcelain tile and carpet.

Tile, ceramic or porcelain, is a great flooring option. There are many pros to having tile in your house. Tile is strong, durable, and has a wide variety of colors and designs to choose from. Of course with every room you can also change the tile if you wanted to. Tile is stain resistant and is it is easy to replace sections if tiles become chipped or cracked. There are, of course, a few cons to tile in your home. Grout can attract stains and it can be difficult to clean the grout. Another con is that if something drops it will likely break upon contact.

Carpet is very comfortable and acts as an insulation to warm air in the winter. Carpet can also act as a noise dampener. Cons to carpet are that it stains quite easily compared to other floor options. Carpets can also be difficult and costly to clean. Carpet from cheap material can wear out easily in high traffic areas and need to be replaced.

When comparing tile to carpet, tile as many more pro’s. Here’s another look:

Carpet COSTS more than tile does.

Carpet is harder to CLEAN than tile is.

Tile is more DURABLE than carpet is.

There are many other floor options to choose from, tile and carpet, just being two options. If you choose tile, or have tile in your house, call GROUT MEDIC at 303-994-7688 or fill out our quick form, when you need your tile and grout cleaned, cracks or chips to be fixed, or even a few tiles to be replaced. We are your Metro Denver tile and grout company!

Water Damage - The Unwelcome Pool Party

| 9-1-2016

No one ever complained about having an indoor pool as a part of their home. That is, unless this pool came in the unexpected and unwelcome form of water damage. Water damage, more often than not, remains covert until the damage has been done and repairs become mandatory. What can be done to catch and stop water damage before it becomes extensive? And, if there is damage, what kind of restoration work is probable?

One step that can be taken for preventing the spread of water damage is by occasionally examining tiles for unusual stains or discolorations. Water intrusion causes the adhesive that secures tiles to loosen and deteriorate over time. Tapping a metal object, such as a coin, on individual tiles and listening for hollow or empty noises can locate undesirable water underneath. If caught in the early stages, a fixed leak and one or two tile replacements may be all that is needed to prevent further damage.

Older appliances are a common leak culprit due to the wear and deterioration of plumbing connection hoses. It is vital that inspections and maintenance be completed regularly on these units. Stress points (where hoses connect to the water supply) should be paid special attention to, considering new hoses may need to be installed every 3-5 years. Do not make the mistake of disregarding even the smallest of leaks, as even a few beads of water can turn into extensive damage within a short amount of time.

If an area of your home does happen to be affected by water damage, begin repairs as soon as possible. If the damaged area consisted of flooring or tiles, the spoiled areas may need to be treated for mildew before flooring can be replaced. When left untreated, allergies and other respiratory issues can develop in residents of the home. Termites thrive in environments where wood has become moist and can become a hazard to even the best built homes.

Grout Medic Denver is devoted to keeping the investment you made in your tiled flooring protected from water damage. Don’t let an indoor pool form in your home without your knowledge. Contact Grout Medic Denver for a free consultation and receive more information on water damage prevention, tile restoration, and tile replacement today. The results of our tile restoration skills will leave any visitors to your home completely unaware that there was at one time water damage.

Which Tile Type is For You

| 9-1-2016

Nobody likes the restrictiveness of choosing between “Sample A” and “Sample B” when it comes to home décor. Thankfully, with flooring tiles, homeowners have an overwhelming amount of styles to select from. Perhaps your goal is to create a shiny, sleek room, or maybe you would rather add a rustic, earthy feel to an area. There is no shortage of tile options to accomplish any look your heart desires.

One versatile flooring option is ceramic tiles which come in an unlimited variety of textures, patterns, sizes or colors, and may or may not be made of porcelain material. Ceramic tiles that are porcelain based contain natural elements such as minerals, white sand or clay. Porcelain tiles are known for their resistance to stains as well as their durability. Non-porcelain tiles, while not as resilient as porcelain, are simple to install and are reasonably priced. Whether you go with ceramic tiles made of porcelain or not, they are a great choices for bathrooms and kitchens since they provide limitless style options.

Natural stone tiles can be cut to size and are often composed of limestone, slate, marble, granite or other natural materials. Many natural stone tiles, especially those made from granite, are very suitable for kitchens considering the scratch resistant qualities they have if polished. Out of all of the natural stone tiles, marble has a porous quality to it, and therefore is least recommended for the kitchen.

There are not only endless options for the kind of stone tiles you can have installed but also the kind of finish you wish to apply. If you prefer superior traction, a honed finish which can have a smooth or matte appearance would be appropriate. Natural finishes accomplish an understated look, preserving the earthy feel. Polished finishes achieve a glossy, reflective look that can be quite slippery.

Clearly, there are many great options when it comes to tiles, even for high traffic areas such as the kitchen. Don’t limit yourself to selecting between only two or three types. Research the look and needs of the location you wish you tile and take advantage of the vast assortments available.

How Are Modern Carpets Produced

| 9-1-2016

The carpeting that is modern is produced by the combination of both the classic craftsmanship and the newer techniques. Between the two methods, there are several wonderful pieces that are produced and can be used in homes. Many people wonder what goes into making a carpet, and this article will address that issue.

What Are The Two Common Types Of Carpet?

The two common types of carpet are weaved and tufted. These are the carpet construction styles that are used.

Weaved Carpeting

For the woven carpets, wool is a material that is commonly used. They can be expensive, but they have excellent durability. Many times, these types of carpets are hand – made, although they can be created by machinery in a factory too. The carpet is woven. The weaves happen around warps, which are standing fibers. There are strands that run horizontally that are called wefts. The wefts hold the warps in place. If there are intricate designs woven through the carpet, this can make it more expensive.

Tufted Carpeting

Computers are used to make sure the style and thickness of the carpet is properly done. In the past, this was done by hand.

Handmade Carpets Were Works Of Art

In the past, handmade carpets were works of art. Now with computers, they can be made more easily. Even if they are made by hand, the carpet makers have other tools that they can use to make the process go more smoothly.

What Happens After The Material Is Formed For The Carpet?

After the material is formed for the carpet, it can be dyed to the colors that are requested. Colors are very important in carpet making because people want them to be solid colors that are noticeable. There may be a need to cut extra loops. For different styles, like cut pile or loop pile, the need to cut the extra loops will create a variety of textures.

Adding The Stretch Backing To The Carpet

There is a stretch backing that is applied to the carpeting. This will make it strong and stable. Most carpets also receive a stain resistance coating on the fibers before they are released for sale.

Carpet Repair

When carpeting is damaged you need aprofessional carpet repair companyrestore the carpet to it's original beauty. Companies like Nip Tuck Carpet repair in Fort Collins do this on a regular basis and can help avoid the cost of replacing an entire room of carpet.

Carpeting is needed in most homes. People that are interested in them appreciate how they are made and with what materials. They will want to make sure that they get properly made carpeting that will last them a long time. Prices will vary, depending on the type that they get.

Are You Ready to Sell Your Home

| 9-1-2016

The beautiful weather, the kids' almost done with school and the prospect of moving all signal summer time. It seems like we passed from winter straight to summer with no spring in between. But summer time is a busy time for families looking to move out of their old home. If you are contemplating putting your house on the market- one very cost effective service to freshen up your home is tile and grout cleaning. Moldy caulking in showers and dirty floors may make a potential home buyer think, “If these are the problems I can see, what about the potential issues I cannot see!”

You goal is to make your home look like new to potential buyers, without spending thousand of dollars. At times, costly repairs and renovations really do not yield the return on investment when it comes to selling your home.

The Grout Medic of Denver specializes in restoring the dirty tile and grout in any area of your home, especially your Kitchen and Bathrooms! Cleaning, recaulking, regrouting or color sealing the grout in your home will make all the tiled areas look like new at a fraction of the cost of tile replacement. Your Colorado home will look great for a home buyer and you can move on to the home of your dreams.

Flooring Repair - Carpet Burns

| 9-1-2016

We know that tile is far from the only surface in your home. There are many other types of flooring used in modern homes. One of the most common is carpet, which also happens to be one that needs some of the most maintenance. Carpeted areas are usually fairly high-traffic. And with that traffic comes wear and tear. Stains are generally a straightforward process of removal, but a less common and more challenging disfigurement to repair is a carpet burn. Most homeowners just give up trying to DIY it and end up paying to have it repaired. But there are a few tricks that can be used to restore the carpet for much cheaper.

Prior to starting, be sure to look over the damage and gauge how bad it is. If the burn is shallow, you might be able to simply snip off the charred outer layer with scissors and give the area a light washing. If it’s reached too deep, however, you will have to replace that section of carpet.

When a carpet patch is your only option, you’ll need to accurately measure the area for a replacement. Before the burned segment is excised, measure out an area slightly larger than the compromised material. Place the new patch over the burn and ensure that it looks good (color matches, fibers are going the same direction etc.), and then trace around the patch with a utility knife. Be sure not to cut too deep and damage the carpet padding while cutting. Simply lift the damaged piece from its spot.

With the damaged piece gone, you can focus on getting the replacement installed. If you need to make small trims to the material, scissors or the knife can be used to make tiny adjustments. Affix the patch in place with specialized carpet tape or some type of adhesive that is known to work for carpet. Press the patch into place, making sure that it is firmly set in place. You should leave the area alone for a few hours to let the adhesives set.

Any kind of blemishes on a carpet can be a major eyesore that brings down the mood of the whole room. Carefully and skillfully taking care of them can restore your floors to their former glory. The process is more than achievable for any determined Do-It-Yourselfer.

This article was contributed by our friends at Nip and Tuck Flooring, carpet repair and installation experts in Denver Colorado.

How Do You Get The Tiles Right When Renovating The Bathroom

| 9-1-2016

If you are renovating or building a new house, one question that will probably always nag you is whether to use ceramic or porcelain tiles for your bathroom. Everybody will agree that the bath is one of the busiest rooms in any house, and a really costly one to make. To err a little in the construction means expensive modifications so you would want a bathroom that will last your lifetime. At least.

Because it is the wettest area of the house, the first consideration is to make it as waterproof as possible to avoid quick deterioration of the materials behind or below the tiles. Thus the tile to use will need to have two distinct characteristics to serve the purpose: load-bearing to handle the traffic, and highly non-porous to prevent water seepage into the underlay or substrate. All other characteristics ---abrasion resistance, aesthetics, cost, durability--- are also of, though less, importance.

There are only two top choices that answer this need: ceramic and porcelain tiles. With modern manufacturing techniques, the prices of both are now within the reach of ordinary homeowners, though the porcelain tiles will be somewhat higher than the ceramic ones. This is, however, balanced by the porcelain tile’s greater density and impermeability, which translates to better performance in the long run.

To compare the two:

Ceramic tiles, on the one hand, are easier to cut, which might be important if you are a DIYer by preference or necessity. They are cheaper, resist staining, scratch-proof, are cleaned easily, and more easily available. On the other hand, ceramic tiles are less sturdy, are generally not ‘through-color’, meaning the color within may not be the same as that on its surface, more permeable and thus less moisture resistant.

Porcelain tiles on one hand are harder and tougher (30% stronger than granite), denser, generally of one color throughout its thickness (unglazed tiles only), more weatherproof (like frost-resistance), more rectifiable as in cutting to lower size tolerances enabling thinner grouting spaces between tiles, and aesthetically more long-lasting. They can be polished to a high sheen and have PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) ratings higher than ceramic.

On the other hand, porcelain tiles need special tools to cut, which obviates work for an ordinary handyman. They also require latex acrylic mortar as adhesive, and larger tile sizes need a truly flat substrate to avoid breaking when used as load bearing surfacing material such as bathroom floor tiles. In short they are less wieldy than ceramic tiles.

Furthermore, some porcelain tiles are actually porcelain tiles glazed over with ceramic, so the surface color may not be that of the body, that if the tile gets chipped, the body color will show, requiring replacement of the tile.

Be that as it may, many homeowners now prefer porcelain tiles over ceramic ones. They may be higher in price, but these homeowners are more confident the tiles will last virtually forever, which guarantees less expense in the future. So if you are wondering which to use, ceramic or porcelain tiles for your bathroom, go the way of most homeowners: if you can afford the cost, use porcelain. You are less likely to err with it.

Cleaning Your Pool in the Offseason

| 9-1-2016

As you prepare your pool for the offseason, it is important to keep some tips in mind to ensure that it stays clean and healthy while you are not using it. In contrast to the summer months when you would superchlorinate your pool, in the fall it is a good idea to cut back on filtration time and chemicals. This will help save you money because you won’t have to run your systems as often. Instead, pay careful attention to falling leaves and other debris and skim your pool regularly. These nuisances can cause stains on your liner and clog filters and drains. You can also install a pool cover to catch debris then clean off the cover as necessary. If you live in a cold-weather climate or one that sees a significant temperature change in the winter, you may wish to drain your pool completely as the cold months approach to prevent damage from freezing water. Read the infographic below to get more tips on how to keep your pool clean and prepared all year long.

Created by Pool Guy Supply, where you are the pool professional.

Tile Repair

| 9-1-2016

Have you stared at cracked grout lines on your kitchen or bathroom floors for years? Maybe you have tried to repair these grout lines and not just a month later your grout has cracked again! What is going on?

Simply put you have Loose or Hollow Tiles!

Loose tiles occur because the mortar that was used underneath your tile floors has dried up. Or maybe you had a poor installation with improper floor preparation prior to the tile installation. Common mistakes are laying the tile floor over the wood subfloor or linoleum with no proper backerboard and only apply mortar to the actual subfloor and not to the subfloor and tile as well.

The proper way to repair this problem is to remove the grout around these tiles which will then release the loose tiles intact. The loose tiles can then be cleaned along with the subfloor and you can install a thin mesh membrane over the subfloor prior to re-installing the tiles. For maximum tile strength, the best grout to use is an epoxy grout.

But what if your tiles are not completely loose and maybe are hollow only in the corners?

Do not try to remove a tile that is only hollow in the corner. You will break it.

Hollow tiles are repaired by a grout restoration professional using a rebinding adhesive that will solidify the tile corner back to the subfloor without removing the tile. Talk about a money saving solution. You do not have to go through the expense of costly complete tile replacement.

Pool Cleaning Robot

| 9-1-2016

Azimov's three laws of robotics state that a robot is unable to harm a human being; is supposed to execute every order given to him by a human as long as it doesn't cause a fundamental contradiction with the first law; and then a robot is supposed to preserve itself, as far as that self-preservation is in terms with the first two laws. Of course, in Azimov's writing, robots have a form of artificial intelligence so the laws are needed in order to preserve the human race against an eventual uprising of the automatons. Humanity is still far, though (as far as I know) from inventing an artificial intelligence so sophisticated that it can pose a threat. However, we do have robots already performing menial tasks for us so it's important to keep the three laws into perspective.

With all of this in mind, I present you the pool cleaning robot – Mirra 530, provided by iRobot. You might know them as the producers of the broadly famous autonomous vacuum and floor cleaners (these are separate types of self-governing cleaning machines), but you will be delighted to hear that they also provide pool cleaning robots, the Mirra 530 being their latest and greatest model, using cutting edge technology (and in terms with the three laws). The folks at iRobot have almost all cleaning covered, although what I am really hoping for is a bathroom cleaning robot. In due time, I guess...

Overview

The Mirra 530 is a refined new member of the robot cleaning family. It uses advanced scanners and algorithms to detect the height, width and length of your pool once you throw it in the water (and I do use the term “throw” loosely – I wouldn't advise you to do that). This is the aptly named iAdapt Nautiq sensory system (I don't get what the deal is with all the small i's in the beginning of the word... Is that some sort of a convoluted marketing decision or...?). It will scan your pool for everything in order to be able to operate properly. After the scanning program is over, Mirra will choose the most efficient cleaning program to use in the interest of saving the largest amount of energy and performing the most effective cleaning in the same time (hm... they've already given it a form of “free will”).

The Cleaning Process

The robot is equipped with a pair of polyvinyl chloride (essentially, fancy plastic) scrubbers with a cylindric form so it can easily clean the floor by rolling all over it. What about the walls? Well, it can do that, too, using its advanced transportation technology, it can move upwards the walls of the pool and clean them, too, although it needs the water to essentially keep balance. The advanced automaton is also equipped with a sophisticated filtration system ,able to detect and contain particles as little as a few microns across, which means it can clean your pool with a level of excellence even its own filtration system can't achieve. The power cord is about 18 meters long which is more than enough to clean even the biggest pool.

The Design

Like all other iRobot designs, the Mirra 530 has a simplistic and functional, yet aesthetically pleasing design. The pricey contraption is small but rather powerful and looks like a children's toy. Don't let its looks fool you, though – underneath the cute exterior, the robot has a really powerful cleaning and filtration system.

Final Thoughts

Ever since I was first introduced to the concept of a robot as a kid, I've thought that automatic units were the future. As time passes, we are getting busier and busier with our everyday lives, so we can't spend that much time on tedious task, such as cleaning, especially something complex and time consuming as cleaning the pool, which is why I think that robots will become more and more popular in the near future.

Connie Smith likes to write about cleaning gadgets. She runs a cleaning agency performing end of tenancy cleaning in Highgate. When she is not at work, she likes to relax in the pool

• License: Creative Commons image source.

Getting Porous Stone to Shine

| 9-1-2016

Not all stone is created equal. While some floors can easily be polished with standard methods, others require a bit of extra creativity to get the same shine.

In the Denver Metro Area, many floors around a decade old are made with a stone with a striking similarity to sandstone. However, further inspection of these floors reveals that they are, in fact, limestone. Not all stone reacts the same way to the various stone-polishing techniques, and even skilled, experienced stone workers can be flummoxed when they encounter a particular type of stone that stubbornly resists any attempts to get it to shine. But with a little experimentation and ingenuity, you can often get a decent polish out of most stones, including the aforementioned limestone.

When a stone refinishing technician encountered this type of stone, it stubbornly refused to polish. During the process, the stone seemed to be absorbing a large amount of moisture. Though the customer was satisfied by the results, the technician knew there had to be a way to get the limestone to polish and shine like other stone.

The next time he encountered the stone, his single-minded goal was to find a way to get the results that he would be satisfied with. Since he theorized that the absorbency of the stone was the culprit, after refinishing and cleaning the stone and then allowing it to dry, he applied a sealing agent. This greatly increased the effectiveness of the polishing process on the stone. The water-absorbing properties of the stone had been reducing the acidity of the polishing agent too much to ensure a proper chemical reaction, stifling the effectiveness of the process. The key to getting it to shine was to neutralize the water retention of the limestone.

Similar processes would likely prove effective on many types of more porous stone. In several instances, sealing the stone not only made the polishing product achieve the desired results, but also reduced the amount required to finish the process.

Stone Restoration Works offers stone refinishing and polishing services in the Denver Metro Area of Colorado. They are known for their efficient, professional services and a 5-step process that ensures the stone surfaces of your home stay vibrant and beautiful for as long possible. Contact them today for a free quote.

Four Main Ways Of Cleaning Your Grout

| 9-1-2016

The tile in your home only looks as good as your grout does. When you place new tiles in your bathroom, kitchen or another area of your home, you must use grout to fill the joints in between the tiles to prevent water penetration. Using the wrong cleaner can begin to deteriorate and discolor your grout. So what are some grout cleaning solutions that you can use to maintain your grout?

How to Clean Grout with Acidic Cleaners

Acidic cleaners contain either sulfamic acid or phosphoric acid. These acids are relatively safe to use around the house, and you shouldn't worry about your kids or pets. As long as you keep them out of the room until you finish the cleaning process, you won't have any problems. Acids clean grout by etching into the surface. This means that when you apply the grout cleaning product, it slowly eats away at the top portion of the grout. These acidic products open the pores in the grout, which helps sealers penetrate into the grout. While you can find these cleaners from many stores, you should keep in mind that acidic cleansers will break down the grout, which can reduce its lifespan.

How to Clean Grout with Alkaline Cleaners

Alkaline cleaners are bleach based cleaners that work well especially if you have white grout to remove most mold and mildew stains. You can use ordinary household bleach, but many recommend diluting it with a small amount of water. The best ratios is 1 Part Bleach to 10 Parts Water. When working with bleach, you should also open the doors and windows and use a respirator to keep the fumes from overwhelming you. If you don't rinse the grout thoroughly to remove all traces of the bleach, you might notice that it dries into a white film over the grout.

Tile Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide

Nearly every household has a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on hand, and this liquid does a great job of cleaning grout. You should mix the peroxide with equal parts water and oxygen bleach, creating a liquid with the power of bleach. Unlike bleach, this substance doesn't leave any residue on your grout. You apply the mixture directly to the grout with a brush or cloth and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then use a soft bristle nylon brush to agitate the grout. Depending on the severity of your stains, you might need to reapply the mixture multiple times before it begins working.

Steam Cleaning

Many steam cleaning companies now offer grout cleaning. This is a good option for dark stains or if you want to clean and sanitize at the same time. The company should use steam cleaner specifically designed for grout and tile and not a carpet cleaner. Carpet steam cleaners are much too powerful for tile and grout, and the cleaner can actually damage or break the grout lines. Look for companies that have use a steam pressure of less than 100 PSI for the best results and more that 270 Degrees.

Cleaning your grout will make your tile look fresh and new. Depending on the type and color of stains on your grout, you might try products you find in local stores or professional cleaning.

Winter Tile, Grout and Floor Care in the Home

| 9-1-2016

Most homeowners are aware that floors require extra care during the winter season. A variety of weather issues complicate the process of keeping homes clean, including rain, mud, snow, slush, and just the fact that when it's cold outside, people want to hurry to get inside! All of this brings in extra dirt that can actually cause floor damage, especially to your tile and grout. Tile and Grout are the easiest to maintain but there are still simple maintenance steps you can do to extend your floor’s beauty.

Even though tile and grout is the most durable of the floor surfaces, we need to keep in mind that grout can react to road salt used in the winter and certain cleaning processes not recommended by the Tile Council of North American. These simple four steps will help extend the life of any flooring in your home during the winter.

1. Put an extra floor mat outside each door and inside. These mats can trap much of the moisture and dirt before it gets tracked around the home. All mats will continue to be effective if they are cleaned and emptied regularly.
2. Pets can be trained to have their paws wiped and dried before they are allowed to run into the home. On some floors, muddy or wet paw prints can be seen; on floors where they can't be seen, they are still present. All paw prints can be avoided by keeping a towel nearby to the door they enter.
3. Many people in various climates develop a pattern of removing shoes when they enter the house. This prevents the outside from being brought in on expensive floors. If this is not preferred, plan to clean as you go. If water or melted snow is tracked in, blot it up with the right cleaner. Once moisture has dried, dirt or sand is usually left behind and should be wiped up as soon as possible.
4. When cleaning your floors check which type of cleaner is best for your floor type. Use the proper floor care that is recommended for you floor type. Throughout many homes, there is a wide variety of floor types that benefit best from varying floor cleaners. Carpets should be blotted when wet; vacuum at least once a week in high traffic areas, more during times when weather has presented extra messes. Wood floors are very resilient to traffic but can be scratched or dulled if left messy. Dirt and grit that enters on shoes and boots can act like sandpaper if it is allowed to build up on the floor. Most problems can be averted with simple cleaning habits. Tile floors have grout lines between each tile. When tile floors are first installed, the grout is supposed to be sealed. Not all home builders to this on new homes. If you have a new home a Grout Medic of Denver Technician can inspect your grout to see if it has been properly sealed. Over years of use, grout should be resealed for protection. Grout should only be cleaned with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 5 parts water. All other cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can erode your grout. Winter weather introduces water and salt into the home that can damage the grout between tiles. Sealants on the grout lines and cleaners for tile floors will help protect the beauty and durability of the floor.

Proper care and cleaning of your floors will extend the life and attractiveness of the entire home. Be careful to read all labels of cleaning products to use the best cleaner for the floor type.

Caring for Your Carpet

| 9-1-2016

Nothing can ruin the look of a room quite like a dirty, stained, or frayed carpet. A freshly-laid carpet in a newly-built home can age quickly, especially if you have kids and pets. But proper maintenance will extend the life of your carpet and keep your LGI Homes interior looking showroom new.

The first line of defense for a carpet is at the entrances from the outside. Door mats are designed to remove dirt, debris, and moisture from shoe bottoms. Teach your family to actually wipe their shoes on the mat a couple of times. Wash the mat every week or two to remove buildup.

If possible, minimize the amount of direct sunlight that gets on your carpet, because the color of the carpet can fade if exposed to constant, strong light. If the room is unusually humid, consider a dehumidifier, because excess moisture can be a breeding ground for mildew over a period of time.

Vacuum regularly, to prevent dust buildup. This is possibly the most important maintenance tool for your carpet. Experts have reported that nearly 80 percent of carpet dirt is removed by a vacuum. Vacuum at least twice a week to prevent soil particulates from working below the carpet surface. It’s not only important to vacuum regularly, but to do it thoroughly. Use slow, steady passes of the vacuum in the direction of the fiber. Also, after spending the money on a new house, don’t skimp on cleaning tools. Invest in a good vacuum with optimal suction. The extra couple of hundred dollars you spend will be easily recouped by the extended life of your carpet.

To protect the fibers themselves, use carpet protectors—those round protectors that look like wooden drink coasters—so that couch and chair legs don’t dig into the fibers and distort them permanently.

Finally, nearly all new carpets are treated with some brand of stain resistor. In most cases, all you will need is a clean cloth and some warm water to remove stains. If that doesn’t work, use the spot cleaner recommended by your carpet manufacturer or by a carpet professional. Not all carpet cleaners are created equal, and some over-the-counter brands can actually make the stain worse. When using a spot cleaner, it is important to apply the product properly, to avoid telltale rings. Moisten a dry white cloth with some cleaner and gently work it into the stain. Do not pour spot remover directly on the carpet and do not scrub. If the stain still doesn’t come out, call a cleaning professional. Use home remedies at your peril!

With regular care and cleaning, your carpet should stay looking new for years to come.

If you are interested in learning more aboutTexas new home buildersandnew homes in Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, and Phoenix, please go to LGIHomes.com

Flooring Options - Wood, Ceramics or Carpet

| 9-1-2016

The goal of this article is not to come up with the perfect visual floor covering, there's so much more than 'a certain look' that needs to be weighed up apart from the cosmetic aspect. Here are some basic tips for any home owner, and to help you come up with the most informative and factual conclusion, we've reviewed the following flooring options.

Wooden Floor

Positives:

This type of flooring helps give the room a natural look, and it can work with almost every kind of room (dress it up with a rug?). By using this kind of flooring, you are also helping the environment as a whole as this is a product extracted from controlled forests (which means there's a quota on how many trees you can cut down). Timber flooring is an extremely hard wearing flooring option and suitable for commercial or domestic applications.

Timber flooring is also advantageous to people who suffer from asthma or other allergies because it doesn't hold dust in the same manner as say, carpet. One of the main beauties of natural timber flooring is the ability to rejuvenate its stunning look every few years through re-sanding, polishing and sealing. The expansion of the timber flooring market over the past 10 years presents options for consumers to buy imitation timber floors, or laminate (timber look alike) flooring that requires no maintenance and is around 20% of the cost of the authentic solid timber.

Negatives:

Humidity, dampness, and moisture can cause wooden floors to distort and deform. During chilly weather, the wood flooring can feel really cold because it retains the coolness from outside.

Timber is not waterproof so once water seeps into it, it starts to deform. Another disadvantage is that it is not as heavy-duty as ceramics because it usually cannot stand the impact of falling objects. Timber flooring also requires more frequent maintenance than the others.

Ceramic Floor

Positives:

Ceramic tiles have the potential to be extremely appealing and versatile as they come in different colors, shapes, sizes, and finishes. A beautifully laid tile floor can transform the entire home, adding considerable value. And if you're a DIY handyman, you'll save around $50 per square metre in labour costs.

A professionally laid ceramic tile installation is by far the most durable flooring option. When choosing your color scheme, we'd suggest to try for a neutral scheme given that the flooring will easily out-last the current decor trend.

Negatives:

Biggest downside is that it is easily chipped or damaged, so be careful when re-locating and dragging furniture. Ceramics can be cold under-foot.

Another big problem with tiles is that over time oil, water, and other liquid residue will gather on the gaps and grout lines between the tiles and de-colorize the tile, or worse, develop bacteria.

Carpet

Positives:

It actually helps your electrical bills as it insulates the house during cold weather. It also helps reduce the sound, helping out with the noise pollution, too.

Carpet's biggest advantage is that it is cushioned, very cosy and soft under-foot. It can help reduce the impact of a slip or an accidental fall.

Negatives:

Can affect allergy sufferers, needs replacing more frequently than timber and ceramic tiles, and can be very expensive depending on the quality.

When buying carpet, always store some off-cuts, as carpet can be easily stained, torn or burnt, at which time you'll need to engage a carpet repair service to restore the effected area. Carpet also has the ability to shrink or expand over time, which also requires further maintenance expenses.

Carpet Brisbane: Offering carpet Brisbane services as well as other areas including carpet Sunshine Coast carpet services.

Is the Only Purpose of Grout to get Dirty

| 9-1-2016

Believe it or not, that thin, sandy strip of grout in between each of your porcelain, stone or ceramic tiles is one of the most important aspects of your tile surface. Without grout, anything you drop or spill on your floor would be able to creep in between your tiles and start an ecosystem of its very own. With grout filling the gap between your tiles, you now have some defense against this predicament. But grout is porous and can absorb liquids, dirt and dust so it needs to be cleaned and maintained in order to keep the appearance looking new and to keep the area sanitized and safe from bacteria and mold.

The best way to make sure your grout is cleaned safely and effectively is to call your local grout cleaning and restoration company. A professional and affordable contractor can restore your grout and tile so that it is looks like it did when your floors, bathrooms and other tiled surfaces were new.

One of the most frequent requests received by contractors is to clean and sanitize all the tiled surfaces in bathrooms of retail and residential locations. Bathrooms are especially tricky since they are damp rooms. Bathrooms also tend to have more tile and grout than any other room in the house. Unfortunately, this gives mold, mildew and fungus the perfect breeding ground. Your grout cleaning professional will use a variety of methods to ensure that your bathroom is cleaned safely and effectively - removing any chance for illness causing mold to build up.

The best method though is a specialized VAPOR Technology. Steam cleaning restores the original beauty of your shower, floor or counter without the use of hazardous chemicals.

Whether you've got tile in your kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom, you've no doubt noticed that stains can occur on grout quite frequently due to accidental spills. Scrubbing the surface grout - the layer of grout you can see - will not always remove the stain. In some cases, this offers temporary relief, but eventually the stain creeps back up from the bottom layers of grout where it has found a comfortable home.

For additional help, please call The Grout Medic at 303.99GROUT (303.994.7688) for a Free Evaluation or visit our website at www.groutmedicdenver.com

Why retile when you can regrout

| 9-1-2016

Chances are there is nothing wrong with your tiles, just the grout. Having your showers old, dirty, and molding grout and caulking removed and replaced will restore and waterproof your shower back to new.

Is is it time to regrout the tile in your shower, bath tub-surround or walls?

For a fraction of the cost of replacement, the tile in your shower, bath-tub surround and even your bathroom walls can be restored to new again, by a quick and simple regrouting and recaulking!

Is your grout and caulk growing mold, discolored or worse yet cracking and falling out? It might be that regrouting and recaulking, something that can be done in just a day, is exactly what you need!

Many people don't realize that regrouting and recaulking their shower, bath tub-surround, and bathroom walls can make them look like new again. Your tile doesn't usually lose its beauty, only the grout and caulk do. If you have been planning on getting new tile in your shower or bathtub surround thinking that it was the only way to remedy ugly grout; you will be very pleasantly surprised to learn that most tile in showers, tub surrounds and on walls can be easily regrouted!

The process to remove the old grout and caulk and replace it with clean, fresh, new grout and caulk is fairly easy, relatively clean, can be done in a day and the results are amazing! You will think the tile was just installed new, all for about 20% of the cost of a new shower, bathtub surround, walls or floor.

Beyond being ugly, there can be serious consequences to grout that is cracked and falling out. This cracked or broken grout easily allows water to leak through. As it leaks into your porous backer material it gets to your studs and causes them to get waterlogged, grow mold and mildew and eventually begin to rot. When that happens there is no longer any support left for the tile and the only way to fix the shower or tub surround is to rip it out and rebuild it from scratch. Needless to this can be quite costly.

In addition to this, when backing material and studs are completely saturated with water, leaks develop as there is nowhere else for the water to go.

By the time this happens, mold and mildew, that love wet places, are bound to have grown. This leads not only to foul odors but is damaging to your health too.

Worse yet, with time, this usually leads to extensive and expensive wall work too before you can install new tile and grout in your shower or bathtub surround. Sounds a bit like a horror story but this is what actually happens. We see it on a weekly basis!

After removing all of the grout surrounding the tiles and cleaning and regrouting, we finish all bathrooms and showers with waterproof silicone.

If you are having any type of problems with your grout or your shower leaking why not call us and we will come by and help you figure out what the problem is and the best way to fix it.

Tile and Grout Steam Cleaners

| 9-1-2016

When it comes to cleaning tile and grout, most people prefer to use steam cleaners. These machines have a number of advantages over other machines, including attached vacuums and little watery mess while cleaning. With specialized anti-bacterial technologies, steam cleaning machines are also ideal for sanitizing surfaces.

How They Work
Daimer®, a reputable supplier of cleaning equipment, offers steam cleaners that can reach high temperatures up to 386°F. The high temperature output dissolves dirt, stains, and other impurities from hard surfaces, such as tile and grout. Machines such as Daimer®’s KleenJet® 3000CVP feature an attached vacuum for easy removal of liquid debris created during the cleaning process. In addition, the 3000CVP also includes Daimer®’s ATIS® technology for eliminating more than 99 percent of commonly found germs and bacteria.

Tile and Grout Cleaning Dirt and dust accumulate in the joints between tiles. Grout is used to fill the joints and cracks present. These joints require regular cleaning. The ideal cleaning machine for such tasks should be fast and efficient, and should not leave excessive amounts of water behind.

Steam cleaners and their high temperature output dissolve dirt and other impurities quickly and effectively. For example, some steam cleaners feature pressure levels of 110 psi and temperature levels of 349°F for easily cleaning tile and grout in such areas as bathrooms and kitchens. Some companies use carpet cleaning equipment but this can do damage to grout. Cleaning machines specifically designed to be used with tile and grout should only be used.

For reaping the full range of benefits from steam cleaners, it is recommended to use equipment offered by top-notch distributors or hire professional tile and grout contractors that ONLY use steam cleaners.

For more information, please visit The Grout Medic at www.groutmedicdenver.com

What is Black Mold, the Dreaded Foe

| 9-1-2016

Have you woken up this morning, rested after a great night of sleep. You get out of bed, walk over to your shower to start your day off fresh and low and behold you see this:

It makes you want to scream like poor Marion Crane in the famous “shower scene” from Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Psycho with the screeching violins, violas and cellos in the background.

What is that black disgusting growth in your shower?

Is it dangerous to your health and the health of those who shower in there?

Most importantly, how do you get rid of it?

This article will answer the first question and we will answer each subsequent question in a series of articles entitled The Dreaded foe- Black Mold.

Tile and Grout Cleaning and Home Cleaning Tips

| 9-1-2016

If you’re in need of tile and grout cleaning and Home Cleaning Tips it’s good to consider that there is more than one solution available to you if you’d like to clean your grout and tiles. Moreover, these solutions don’t always have to involve expensive and oftentimes dangerous chemicals; you can come up with natural, environment-friendly alternatives to these chemicals by preparing cleaning solutions utilizing common household ingredients.

Both tiles and the grout between them can accumulate dirt in more than one way. Tiles and grout placed in bathrooms, since they are closely exposed to moisture, are most susceptible to mildew formations. Clean grout and tiles in kitchens, however, are more apt to get stained through the accumulation of food stains or grime. In both cases, it is neglect that worsens such problems. You must take care to deal with them as soon as humanly possible, because the longer you wait, the harder it will get to get rid of tile and grout stains.

If you’re in search of a tile and grout cleaner, you don’t have to look much further than the kitchen itself. The all-purpose cleaners baking soda and vinegar can be effective on all but the most stubborn of stains. Take note that the use of pure vinegar may be both excessive and expensive; you can use vinegar that has been diluted with water (try a 5:1 ratio of water and vinegar). If you plan to use baking soda, you can try to add a little water to the soda, just enough to make a smooth paste. Use a household cleaning brush to work either mixture into the stained area. After you’re done, rinse the area with water and clean up properly.