Have you inherited a floor with oddly colored grout? Is your grout too gross to deal with? Did you make a grout choice that was a disastrous design decision? Have you accidentally tried to clean your grout with bleach and bleached the color out? Good news! The tile is difficult and expensive to replace, but you can change the whole look of a tile floor with new grout.

If you think you might like the color, but can’t tell what it originally started as:

• First, try cleaning the grout with grout cleaner. (not bleach, grout cleaner!)
• If the grout doesn’t come clean, you can try a professional steam cleaning company to clean the grout.

If you inherited a color that is just too difficult to deal with:

• Clean the grout first.
• From here, you could chisel the old grout out and install new grout, but you run the risk of chipping the tile. Once you chip the tile, it cannot be repaired. It then has to be replaced, which means you run the risk of installing a new tile that doesn’t match the original shade. (more…)

Question:

“I own an upper level condo. I’d like to have hardwood floors, but my HOA says no because of the noise factor to the owner below me. Is there some kind of soundproofing material that can be put under the hardwood?”

Answer:

My first thought was to contact a company called Green Glue Company because I thought they  would have the most simple solution to your problem. Their product is so advanced, you literally acheive soundproofing with their glue product.

 Below is their response:

“ For this situation (improving impact noise, no access to the ceiling), what can be accomplished becomes a question of how much the height of the floor can be changed. Adding Green Glue and another layer of plywood or OSB will have a pronounced effect on noise levels, but for another 1/2″, adding a layer of soundboard between the existing subfloor and the new plywood/OSB will deliver better results. Thicker build-ups can deliver more… Most any level of isolation can be attained, allowable thickness and cost are ultimately the factors that determine what performance can be attained.

When comparing the impact noise performance of carpet -vs- hardwood, a Green Glue + hardwood setup will yield as good or better low-frequency noise isolation (booms from feet hitting the floor), but more high frequency noise (high heels on the wood, sliding chairs, dropped silverware, etc.).

I have some data on this kind of thing – for dropped balls and various other means of stimulating the floor – that I can send if it would be helpful.”

Cleaning your floors with an approved cleaner is more important than you might think! Using the wrong cleaners can ruin your investment forever or cause your warranty to be voided. A reputable cleaning company, Bona has come out with a new tool to make all of our lives easier. See below for their latest new product.

A durable, premium spray mop that combines the Bona Microfiber Mop with a Floor Cleaner cartridge so you have the mop and cleaner all in one!

Quick, easy to use and leaves no dulling residue. Cartridges contain Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Floor Cleaner.
The cost from Bona Online is $39.99 Click here for more info or to add to basket.

Taking care of your floors shouldn’t be hard work!

Part of the Bona Environmental Choice System™, Bona’s Swedish Formula® floor care systems are the healthiest, easiest and most effective way to clean your hardwood and hard surface floors.

Providing consumers and professionals with the world’s finest hardwood floor finishes from Sweden since 1919, Bona’s floor care system consists of a non-toxic waterborne cleaner specifically designed for polyurethane-finished hardwood or hard surface floors and a reuseable microfiber mop for cleaning and eliminating dust and allergens.

For a previous post on cleaning your hardwood floors, click here.

Question:

“I would like to lay down a oak laminate floor in my den and living room. I now have a very thin rug in both rooms. My question is would I be able to lay down the floor on top of the rug? This would save me the trouble of taking the rug up and also be used as a cushion.”

Answer:Unfortunately, we do not recommend installing a laminate floor over carpet or rugs. This will make your floor “fall” when you walk over it – or the joints may break. Doing this would more than likely also void your warranty.

You can, however install laminate over ceramic tile if the tile is smooth, sound and dry. Laminate can also be installed over vinyl or resilient flooring that is adhered well. This is particularly useful when going over older vinyl that may contain asbestos that would be costly and dangerous to remove.

Always use the proper underlayment when installing laminate flooring. Other helpful hints are to use a professional installer and always keep mats at every entrance to keep dirt and grit from scratching your laminate floors.

To locate a floor covering professional in your area, click here.

For more posts on laminate flooring, click here.

Manninton Mills is one of the largest flooring companies in the US. They are the only North American Company that manufactures and markets residential and commercial resilient, laminate, hardwood, porcelain tile floors and commercial carpet. They are known in the design community for having new and innovative designs and state of the art technology.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has just recognized Mannington for its exemplary efforts on environmental responsibility. The Environmental Stewardship Program has recognized Mannington for their routine practices that exceed requirements and regulations.

The guidelines include factors such as programs aimed at reducing emmissions and greenhouse gasses, conservation of water and enegy, reduced hazardous waste, encouraging green building and construction and requiring vendors to adopt strong environmental practices. It also looks at effective environmental management systems as well as property and habitat environments.

Congrats to Mannington for being recognized for their innovation, stewardship and environmental improvement. The recognition for their voluntary and proactive measures taken to go beyond compliance in an effort to improve the environment ensuring a sustainable future should be recognized and applauded.

Question on laminate flooring:

#1 If you have boys that are kind of destructive and would roller skates on the floors, would that hurt the floors?

#2 If you have a dog; would their nails hurt the floor?

 #3 Is rubber underlayment the best for noise control and for lasting installation?

Answer:

Roller skates - I would check with the manufacturer of your floor to see if the roller skates will void your warranty if there is any damage as a result. Laminate floors are very durable, but the stopping and turning might cause excessive wear that is not covered by your warranty.

 Dog’s nails - Laminate floors are scratch resistant, but not scratch proof. Scratches show less over time, but cannot be repaired. Large dogs are riskier than small dogs, of course, but it sounds like laminate is your best solution for a home with kids and dogs. You certainly don’t want those boys falling down on a tile floor and the dog’s nails will definitely hurt hardwood floors more than laminate! We recommend keeping your pet’s nails trimmed. If a board gets severely damaged, it can always be replaced. Definitely, call a professional to replace any boards!

Underlayment - purchase the best underlayment that is offered with your floor for noise control, long lasting installation and comfort. This is the most important choice (other than the quality of the product) that you can purchase.

Also, remember to use walk off mats at every entrance to keep dirt and sand from scratching your floors and always use the proper cleaner.

For more information on laminate flooring maintenance, click here.

For more information on pets and laminate flooring, click here.

Getting new floor covering can be a major change in your home and installing new floor covering is no easy task. This should be left to a professional! Whether you are tackling the project yourself or hiring a professional, these are tips you will want to be aware of. Being aware of these misconceptions can help you have a smoother installation.

GENERAL INSTALLATION MISCONCEPTIONS

1. Once the installation is complete, there is no need to save leftover material. Leftover material is needed in case of repairs. Having the original material will ensure that your repair will be the same shade / dye lot as the original installation.
2. The installer will arrive on time and be completed as originally promised. Often, the installer will run into situations at another jobsite that require more time and attentio. Just remember that if it were your house, you would want the installer to take their time for a quality installation.
3. Floors can be installed in any weather. Some types of flooring cannot be installed in extreme heat or cold.
4. Floors can be installed in any stage of new construction. Some builders for example, prefer that tile be installed under the kitchen cabinets. So, this would need to be done earlier in the process. Since it is durable to dirt and traffic, it can be installed earlier. Carpet, on the other hand needs to be one of the very last items to be installed so that it doesn’t get abused before you move in! (more…)

GENERAL

• Installing flooring is easy. It’s actually a difficult and lengthy process that should be done by a professional
• Dark floors will make a room look smaller. Dark floors will not make a room look smaller unless the walls and other surroundings are also dark
• If I order more of the same product a year from now, it will look exactly the same. Products are made in different conditions and environments and cannot be expected to look the same after time has passed.
• It’s cheaper to install a less expensive product first and replace later down the road.The cost of product remova, furniture removal and replacement can make this statement untrue.

CARPET

• All carpet padding is the same. There are different grades and qualities of carpet padding with different life expectancies and warranties.
• When carpet is replaced, the pad doesn’t need to be replaced. Carpet pad helps determine how well your carpet wears. If your carpet pad is worn, you will not get the most wearability out of your carpet.
• Wool carpet isn’t worth the money because it will wear out. Wool carpet is the most durable and long lasting carpet available.
• If the label says it has built in stain protection it is protected from everything and maintenance is not required. This is intended to be stain resistant – not stain proof. Regular maintenance is still required.
• Will not fade. Carpet can fade if exposed to direct sunlight.
• The thicker the carpet, the better the quality.This is not always true. Ask you local retailer for more information when comparing products.
• Carpet will look the same or darker than the sample when installed. Since carpet samples tend to be relatively small, they don’t always appear the same as the large rolls that are installed.

HARDWOOD

• All hardwood is the same hardness. Hardwood has varying degrees of hardness.
• Hardwood is not a good choice for people with allergies. Hardwood is a great choice for people with allergies if kept well maintained.
• All oak floors are the same or if a wood floor looks the same on top, it is the same.The construction of the hardwood is where the quality comes in, not what you see on the top.
• Will not fade. Like other flooring materials, direct sunlight can fade hardwood floors.
• All hardwood can be cleaned with Murphy’s Oil Soap. Pre-finished hardwoods should not be cleaned with Murphy’s Oil Soap.

LAMINATE

• All laminate floors sound hollow and click when you walk on them. With the proper underlayment, laminate floors will not sound hollow or click when you walk on them.
• You can’t hurt a laminate floor. While laminate floors are very durable, they can scratch and gouge with misuse.
• Hardwood is better for a home with large dogs because it is harder. Laminate flooring can be more scratch resistant than some hardwoods making it more suitable for a home with dogs.

TILE

• Any tile can be installed outside.Tiles have a rating system that indicate how much water is absorbed. This determines if they can go outside or not. Most porcelain tiles and natural stones are suited for exterior applications.
• Tile has to be sealed. Tiles that have glazes or are through body do not have to be sealed.
• Small tiles are the only tiles that should go into small rooms. Larger tiles are well suited for small rooms, just as well as small tiles, depending on the desired design intent.
• All tiles floors are cold.Tile floors with radiant heat systems installed can be very warm and comfortable!
• The finish cannot be worn off of tile. Ceramic tiles that have glazed finishes can wear off with excessive traffic. Check the wear rating to see how much traffic a tile floor is designed for.
• Any size tile can be installed on a shower floor. Tile showers have to slope to drain water so the tiles have to be small enough to accommodate the slope.
• You can’t hurt a tile floor. Dropping heavy objects on the corners of tile floors can chip or crack the tiles. Dragging furniture without furniture protectors across a floor can scratch the finish of tile floors.
• Is not a good choice because if I drop a glass on it, it will break.
• Larger size tiles make a room look smaller.Larger tiles in a small room can visually increase the size of a room. Turning the tiles on the diagonal can make the room appear even larger.
• Grout colors look darker than the sample when installed . The sample chip and the actual product will look different because of lighting, shading and dye lot differences.

NATURAL STONE

• Stone tiles like granite or travertine cannot stain. Natural stone that is not sealed can stain.
• You can’t hurt a stone floor. Stone is a very strong material, but it can be damaged with misuse like improper maintenance or dragging furniture across the floor without furniture protectors.
• Is not a good choice because if I drop a glass on it, it will break. If you drop a glass from most any standing height, is going to break anyway.
• All travertine is the same grade. You get what you pay for! There are varying degrees of quality in natural stone. Lower quality travertine has holes in the back that make it less stable than travertine pieces with less or no filler in the back.
• Every piece will look the same. The beauty of natural stone is that each piece can be completely different.
• Vinegar is the best cleaner to use. Vinegar will actually permanently etch stone floors and is not a desirable cleaner.

VINYL/RESILIENT

• Patterns with grooves catch dirt that is difficult to remove. With new technologies in place, floors with detailed patterns are just as easy to clean as floors with no patterns.
• Furniture doesn’t need protectors on the bottom. Unprotected furniture bottoms can permanently tear vinyl floors.
• All floor cleaners are the same. Using the wrong cleaner can do permanent damage to your floors and even void your warranty.

CARE Diverted 296 Million Pounds of Carpet in ‘07

In November, we posted information on the recovery efforts of CARE, here and are pleased to find an update of their efforts.

Clearwater Beach, FL, May 12, 2008-Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) said it diverted 296 million pounds of old carpet from landfills last year, with 275.1 million pounds being recycled.

That is a 17 percent increase in diversion and a 19 percent increase in recycling.

The group, at its annual meeting recently, noted several unusual circumstances last year.

• Market conditions caused inventories of post-consumer carpet collected for recycling to increase significantly. Data gathered during the survey process indicates an increase of at least 19 million pounds in inventory during 2007. This material was not included in the baseline estimate of diversion described above, but depending upon the assumption regarding how much of that material will ultimately be recycled, it could represent an even higher level of diversion than reported in the baseline numbers.

• Efforts to avoid double-counting of diverted material were extended beyond the estimates used in previous years to include more detailed company-specific calculations. These calculations increased the overall accuracy of the estimates of diversion and recycling in comparison with previous years.
• The response rate to the survey was the highest it has ever been, with 32 companies providing complete quantitative data and another 4 companies providing partial survey responses. By comparison, last year only 19 companies provided quantitative data.

CARE also said it achieved a new milestone- 1 billion pounds of carpet have been diverted since its inception in 2002.

On average, CARE has recovered 149 million pounds of carpet per year, which translates into about 150 new direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs.

CARE said that recovery of carpet has substantial environmental benefits. Last year the amount of carpet recovered avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 2.5 million barrels of oil, or the equivalent amount of GHG emissions absorbed by 27 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

CARE said it will focus on diversifying end markets that can use the high performance engineered resins coming from post-consumer carpet.