waterproof Archives - Colors Wood Floors

The Benefits of Waterproof Flooring

In the last few years, many major manufacturers have come out with waterproof flooring, which has addressed many concerns homeowners have had with laminate, real wood, or other glue down products. Prior to this, when a homeowner wanted a durable, scratch resistant, and low maintenance floor, she would turn to laminate. While laminate has these attributes, it is certainly not waterproof. Laminate is essentially a wood or tile “print” put on an HDF core or what I like to call glorified cardboard. If water or any other liquid sits on laminate for an extended period of time, the core board will expand and thus ruin that plank. If the liquid is spread over a larger area the homeowner will have several planks that are ruined.

Enter vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl has come in sheet or roll forms for years. The main problem with this archaic form of vinyl is that it is very easy to scratch and tear. Once she has a tear in a sheet of vinyl, the entire sheet is “damaged” and can only be repaired by replacing it in its entirety. Therefore manufacturers have condensed the vinyl and cut it into planks and tiles. These new planks and tiles are four to five times harder than their sheet good counterparts. So not only are they very difficult to damage, but if they are damaged by knife falling in just the right way or a high heal dragging across them, the home owner can simply replace one plank or one tile.

In addition, vinyl is completely impervious to water and other liquids. However, when these products first came out, they required adhesive to install them. While very durable and scratch resistant, if water or other liquids got between the vinyl tile or plank and subfloor, the moisture would cause the adhesive to break bond with the materials and thus most times both the flooring and subfloor were ruined. Because vinyl tiles are generally installed in kitchens and bathrooms where there are ice makers, dishwashers, toilets, and sinks all hooked up to water lines, this was definitely a concern. To address this, manufacturers have added a click-together system to these products very similar to that of laminate. Instead of the sides and ends of the planks or tiles simply butting to each other and having to be held in place with adhesive, the new locking mechanism has made it possible to install the products without adhesive. So, now we have impervious vinyl that does not require adhesive- thus WATERPROOF FLOORING. If liquids are spilled on the surface of the vinyl, the planks or tiles will not expand, discolor, or ruin. If liquids get between the “click together vinyl” and subfloor, the homeowner can simply unclick the floor, dry or replace the subfloor, and click the vinyl floor back together.

We at Jack’s Tile and Carpet carry waterproof vinyl plank and tile products from many manufacturers including Shaw, Mohawk, and US Floors. We have over a hundred styles and colors available which will be sure to meet your style and performance needs. Please visit our website or give us a call to have a complimentary in home consultation in which we can bring products to you, measure, and discuss your style and performance needs in the comfort of your own home.

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Flooring Trends

Check out some of the newest technologies and reclaimed materials that are becoming the hottest products in flooring.

The economy may be keeping a lid on spending, but when it comes to flooring, it’s driving trends. That’s because today’s cost-conscious consumer is more demanding of value than ever.

“There’s definitely been a shift from spending to savings,” says Chris Davis, the president and CEO of the World Floor Covering Association. “But that doesn’t mean consumers aren’t buying flooring: it means they’re looking for value and comfort. They might not be moving up right now, but they’re still into feathering the nest.”

Flooring manufacturers are getting the message. As a result, they’re keen on providing more bang for the buck — reining in high-end marketing and concentrating on products that are sensible, low-maintenance and easy on the budget.

That means bringing more innovation and variety to the perennial low-cost champs: resilient vinyl and carpeting.

This increasingly popular, low-cost and low-maintenance vinyl flooring comes in a variety of colors, styles, and textures. The luxury vinyl featured here is made to look like top-quality wood at a fraction of the cost.

Choices for resilient vinyl flooring include a spectrum of styles, colors, textures and patterns. Add in vinyl’s easy-to-clean characteristics, comfort under foot and family-friendly stain-resistance, and the result is increasing popularity with value-hungry shoppers.

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What to do if your child draws on your floor!

Kids might say the darndest things, but they also do the darndest things.

Case in point: drawing on your floors!

With nine nieces and nephews myself, trust me when I say that I’ve seen my fair share of little ones going wild with markers across the house.

In today’s post I want to show you that when your own prince or princess decides to go Picasso on your floors, all is not lost. There are easy ways to clean up their artistic endeavors, and it’ll differ depending on the type of floor you have.

Cleaning Stains off Floor Tiles

If your little one has decided to write you a love note on the kitchen floor, cleaning it up is a cinch. Simply grab a clean cloth, apply some diluted bleach to it and lay it over the stain. Let the cloth stay in place until it absorbs the marker off your tiles. Simple right!?

Bonus Tip: When cleaning tiled floors, opt for a chamois-type mop over your standard sponge mops. The latter tends to push water into the grout between your tiles and can make them harder to clean.

Cleaning Stains off Laminate Flooring

One of the best things about laminate is how easy it is to take care of day-to-day. It only needs a quick vac and damp mop to keep its lovely look intact. But if your little one has gone to town on it with a texta, the good news is that cleaning it up is just as simple. Just add a little vinegar to some water. Dampen a cloth with the solution, and apply a little elbow grease to the stain to lift it right off of your laminate. Too easy!

Cleaning Stains off Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Generally, texta or crayon stains from your lovely little artist are really easy to lift from Luxury Vinyl. Definitely steer clear of harsh cleaners here because they’ll do more damage than good. All you’ll need to wipe marker off the vinyl is some warm water and a little mild cleaner. Something like some dish-washing liquid will do the trick. The one thing you should ensure with Luxury Vinyl is that you don’t wet it too much. Also avoid harsh scrubbers like steel wool. A gentle approach on all fronts will work best!

Cleaning Stains off Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is becoming a really popular flooring choice and with good reason; It’s eco-friendly and super durable! Not only is it easy to care for day-to-day, but cleaning up marker is a headache-free experience as well. To remove marker from bamboo flooring, simply make up a vinegar and water solution and apply a small amount to the floor. A spray bottle might be a good idea here to ensure you don’t dampen the bamboo too much. Spray a little onto the stain and use a cloth to lift it out. Ensure you dry the area immediately with a paper towel and you’re done!

Cleaning Stains off Carpet

It’ll depend on your carpet type, but in general cleaning marker stains out of carpet is also an easy task. Start by getting onto the stain right away. That’s the best way to ensure it comes out easily. Next, Dampen a cloth and blot, blot, blot. Avoid scrubbing the carpet as this can rub the stain in further. Instead, blot in a circular motion until the stain is lifted. Then dry with a paper towel. Keep in mind that every carpet type is different, so it’s wise to phone your local Choices Flooring store to get their advice on cleaning the specific carpet type you purchased.

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Pet Friendly Tips

My kids and I had been desperate to get a puppy for years but our old house wasn’t suitable for a dog, so we’d always told them when we got a new house we’d get a new puppy. And I admit, as soon as the frames went up on that new house I started searching for our third family member before the paint had even gone on!

The plan was to move into the house and then get the puppy. Well, that was my husbands plan at least. Little did he know I’d found the most beautiful dog who was having a litter and we’d been promised one, so all our plans went out the window. We brought home our gorgeous little ‘Bessie’ right before we moved in. Talk about piling on the pressure! A new house which I wanted to keep pristine and a new puppy that wasn’t toilet or house trained. Eeek!

I’d already been warned by well meaning people that dogs could scratch floors, chew furniture and pee on carpets, but I wasn’t fazed. I believe a house should be a home so a few scratches or spills wouldn’t be the end of the world. However, I do want my house to look as good as possible, so it’s all about how you deal with those accidents that matters.

We decided to put carpet only the main bedroom, with both messy puppy and messy children in mind, and the plan was that the dog wouldn’t go in there.

Ha!

Are you getting the sense that we don’t really stick to plans?!

That little dog well and truly ran the joint from the moment she came into it and most definitely goes in the bedroom (lets not even talk about the no sleeping on beds rule) So there have been a few spills along the way, but as long as you get to them quickly with a micro-fibre cloth and blot the stain they come out pretty easily. I am also going to steam clean the carpets every six months to get out any stains you miss along the way.

However, when it comes to the rest of the house the Plantino Engineered Oak floors have been a dream and I haven’t noticed any scratches she’s made. Spills can be quickly wiped up and now the toilet training days are over I can happily say the floorboards coped with it beautifully. Bessie does shed hair however a quick go over with the stick vacuum deals with that.

Having said that, if you have a lot of pets and are worried about scratches and spills I think your best flooring choice would be luxury vinyl. It’s so hardwearing and totally waterproof, so it would definitely be the easiest option for animal lovers. And with the range now available in luxury vinyl your home can be both stylish and durable, and who doesn’t want that?

Whichever flooring you chose, I think the love of a pet is totally worth the occasional spill and scratch. Just make sure you always have a micro-fibre cloth handy and keep those toe nails clipped!

For more information call me. I’m here to help 305-776-3584

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Learn How Humidity Affects Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for homes and offices, thanks to its natural beauty, versatility, durability, and easy maintenance. If you choose hardwood flooring for your home or office floor, you are making an investment that will last for decades and continue to flaunt a beautiful, spotless, and trouble-free appearance. However, here it is important to know that humidity can seriously impact the aesthetics and functionality of your wood floor. When a beautiful hardwood floor shows defects, it is most likely due to the changes in wood moisture in the boards.

The golden rule for maintaining wood floors is to keep humidity levels in check, ensuring they do not drop below 40% or exceed 60%. Let’s find how too much or too less moisture affects the hardwood floors and how you can keep a control over humidity to maintain the natural beauty and attraction of your flooring.

How High & Low Humidity Affects Wood Floors

A slight increase in humidity beyond the safe limit could cause moisture to seep into the wood. Moisture in the floor boards could damage the floor and cause the planks to swell, warp, crown, or cup. When looking for tips to maintaining hardwood flooring, it is important to understand how humidity affects the appearance and durability of the entire wood flooring structure.

Often caused by moisture imbalance in the wood – wet at the bottom and dry at the top – cupping is a common problem during high humidity levels. The first thing you might want to do is to eliminate the moisture source, which may be a plumbing or dishwasher leak, or excess moisture in the basement. You might want to recoat or sand the floor if moisture has caused it to cup. However, sanding isn’t the right option if moisture-meter readings don’t indicate a completely dried-up floor.
Also caused by moisture imbalance, crowning results from excessive moisture on top of the floor from an overhead sprinkler system leak. Crowning often occurs after cupping, especially if sanding is done at a wrong time. Most homeowners choose to sand their hardwood flooring even before the moisture returns to normal, and the board flattens on its own.
One of the extreme reactions to moisture, buckling is a condition in which the wood planks lift several inches off the sub floor under intense moisture conditions. Though this isn’t a common occurrence, a floor may buckle if it remains flooded for a long time. Caught early, buckling can be prevented by spot repair and replacement, after the floor has dried well and achieved a more stable moisture level.

Any drop in humidity beyond 35-40% can cause the wood to dry out, weaken, and ultimately splinter and “check,” that is, splitting along the grain. Any such changes can severely impact the floor finish.

How To Prevent Humidity From Impacting Hardwood Floors

In order to keep humidity levels within safe limits for your hardwood flooring, it will help to first check the level using a hydrometer or humidisat and then make adjustments accordingly.

Turn your dehumidifier or air-conditioning system on if the level exceeds the limit.
Try a humidifier to raise the humidity level if it has dropped beyond the safe range.

By keeping humidity levels in check, you will be able to prolong the life of your hardwood floors, while ensuring it remains in shape to perform its best. Installing wood floors is a big investment, so properly maintaining hardwood flooring would help you keep it in its original shape for years to come.

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