Flooring Hints:

*The most important part of a flooring project is its proper installation. A poor installation can reduce the floor’s life span significantly. Choose a reputable local dealer.

*Take samples of fabrics, wallpaper and paint swatches to the flooring showroom. Take a cabinet drawer for kitchen projects.

*Often customers bring the room sizes to the showroom in order to help the salesperson ballpark the total investment based on different selection options. A room’s dimensions are simple: 1 linear foot equals 1 block.

What’s Your Mental Picture?

Ask yourself the questions below before you visit the flooring showroom. It will help the sales consultant understand your mental picture during your showroom visit. Finding you the right product is the priority. Knowing your mental picture helps the dealer.

*What is the room used for? How much traffic? Children or pets?
*Do kids play on the floor? Is comfort important?
*Is the room the center of activity for family OR is it used for entertainment?
*Is there direct access (soiling) from outside?
*Is there anything I liked/disliked about the existing floor that I am replacing
*What is my color scheme?
*How much natural sunlight does the room get?
*How long do I plan on staying in the house? Is resale important to me?
*Have I ever had a negative experience with a flooring project in the past?
*What needs to happen to avoid that problem again?

*Courtesy of Molyneaux - Carpet and Flooring in Pittsburgh, VA.

You have probably heard of a thousand different techniques for stain removal - everyone has been taught something different by their mothers, but certain elements will always help when you find yourself with a stain on your rug. The following is a brief and simple tutorial that should cover the majority of common household stains. Using carbonated water in place of normal water in our experience has more beneficial effects and will not harm the material.

1) Act immediately.
2) Scrape off any solids or lumps with a table knife or spoon.
3) Do not rub or scrub the stain - this may permanently distort the carpet fibres.
4) Soak up the stain with clean white towels or paper towels by pressing on stain. Keep repeating with a fresh towel surface until there are no more stain transfers to towel.
5) For all water soluble stains such as coffee, wine, soft drinks and food stuffs, use Turco-Persian’s Carpet Stain Remover, or mix 1 tsp of laundry detergent with 8 oz of warm water. Dab solution onto stain and repeat above absorption with towelling. Repeat procedure as long as stain is coming out. Be careful not to oversoak rug.
6) When no more stain is coming onto the towel, get a fresh bath towel, fold it 3-4 times in half and place on stained area. Place a telephone book on top of towel. Leave for 24-36 hours.
7) If any trace of stain remains, wipe gently with a mild solution of white vinegar. (i.e. 1 oz vinegar to 6 oz cold water).

FOR URINE

1) Soak up immediately.
2) Dab on straight solution of white vinegar if stain is still wet to neutralize fresh urine.
3) Repeat folded towel procedure as above.

FOR GUM, GREASE, SHOE POLISH, OILY TYPE STAINS

1) Spot clean with odourless mineral spirits (readily available at hardware stores).
2) Put on towel & wipe the spot.
3) Do not soak rug.

Courtesy of Turco Persian Rug Company Ltd - Unbeatable for over a 100 years.

Taking care of your new flooring will keep it looking new for years. It is so important to take proper care of it. Please refer to the below guide which will help you.

Ceramic Tile & Sheet Vinyl
Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt & grit.
Wash floor with suitable mild cleaner.
(Do not use vinegar or bleach).
Wipe up spills promptly with a damp cloth or mop.

Carpet

Regular carpet maintenance can enhance indoor air quality and prevent premature deterioration.

Vacuum and spot clean daily.
Implement a preventative maintenance program.
Steam clean when necessary.

Hardwood & Laminate Flooring

Control and monitor indoor humidity.
Use felt pads on furniture.
Vacuum and sweep regularly.
Only use hardwood and laminate floor cleaners.

Chris Paulsen

Purchasing a new carpet for your home is not an easy decision and can be a large investment. There are several options that you will need to consider such as types and colors. Depending on the types of carpet you choose, you should be able to find the perfect one for nearly any setting.

Cut Pile

One of the most popular types of carpet is textured cut pile, as it is less resistant to crushing than other types of carpet. Cut looped carpet fibers create a cut pile with yarn bundles standing straight. Preshearing cut pile several times creates a luxurious appearance.

Loop Carpet

Loop carpet is a favorite in many houses, condos and apartments for high-traffic areas. It is also called “level loop” because it is made of loops that are all the same height. The loop heights are high and uncut, creating a level, tougher surface that is much more resistant to wear and tear, to footprints and streaks from vacuuming.

Cut And Loop

Another popular type of carpet in homes is cut and loop. This carpet uses different heights of loops, cutting some and leaving some uncut to create different textures and patterns. Cut and loop carpet is used for lower-traffic areas, as it does not hold up to streaks and marks. It is, however, a supple, more attractive carpet, making it perfect for living areas.

Saxony

A Saxony style carpet is very comfy and elastic, although the display can be deceptive. This appearance is developed by rigidly crafted twirls of thick twine that are fused with heat. Since Saxony is made from thick threads, it is heavy, warm and a popular selection for your home.

Berber

Berber carpets are becoming more popular than any other type of carpet. Berbers eliminate any footprints and vacuum tracks. Berber has a thicker surface than most other level loop pile carpets for high durability. Because the loops are thicker and higher, they tend to keep dirt and become damaged from snags.

Velvet

Velvet carpet is shredded several times to develop a satin-like shimmer. Velvets are elegant carpets where each tread will appear. The Velvet is created and designed with shapes and colors to accent your home and personal taste. Be sure to check out Simple Floors , offering a multitude of flooring options.

Chris Paulsen cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Choosing the Right Home Inspector is Crucial

Having a home inspected prior to its purchase has become the norm over the past ten years. Real estate agents advise vendors to have the home inspected before they list it, and purchasers to get one done and have it as a condition of purchase when buying. But all home inspectors are not created equally, and it’s imperative for the person shopping for one to do their homework.

A home inspector typically charge from $200 - $500 and usually take about 3 hours for the average home. Make sure that they have some experience in residential homes, especially ones in the area that you looking to purchase or sell.

When I purchased my first home (15 years ago), I was referred to a home inspector by my real estate agent and used them prior to my purchase. He did a fair job, pointed out several areas that needed improvement, such as the roof and electrical. However, there was some things that he did not pick up on because the factors were not visible.

When I took possession of my home, I started renovating right away, basically replacing run-down existing areas. When I tore the carpet off the stairs, I was startled to see 3 of the stairs fall away straight down to the basement. The stairs were in such bad state that I had to replace them, costing me $3000. Also, after ripping down some walls, we found asbestos paper wrapped around the old duct work of the house.

Expect the unexpected and above all, go along during the entire inspection and ask questions – it’s your home! Make sure that they give you a detailed list at the end of the inspection outlining what they found, what was not found and recommendations for repairs. For more information check out Pillar To Post, a professional home inspection company.
Chris Paulsen cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com