City Tile » Ask Doug

I see ads for flooring at great prices, almost too good to be true, what is the catch?

City Tile — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:41:04 +0000

Value is in the eye of the beholder, but it is important to understand what you are buying. Recently we had a customer who was in the process of buying tile and had seen the same product at a warehouse store at a better price. In further review, the customer found out the better price was for goods of second quality. The customer had to do lots of inquiry to discover this, as it was not advertised as seconds. She said “Why would I invest in my home, using quality installation and setting materials with a product that is second rate?” Also, consider the long-term problem possibilities of breakage due to material being second quality.

Let our trained, professional associates help determine your needs for your project. We can assist you from product selection, to installation, to care and maintenance – all at a very competitive price.

Hardwood floor resanding the dustless way

City Tile — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:34:45 +0000

We have been in our home for 12 years and our children are now in high school and college. We would love to sand our hardwood floors and add hardwood to our master bedroom, but cannot go through the mess of resanding?

City Tile Dustless Sand and Finish Containment System

You are right, it use to be a big mess. However, we now have a state of the art Dustless Sand and Finish Containment System. This system will let us sand and finish your hardwood floors without the dust. It has a truck-mounted vacuum that leaves your home 99% dust free.

The second part of this system is a new series of finishes and sealers that dries much quicker and does not have the Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC). In most cases, there is very little odor and no need to vacate your home during the refinishing process. This is the fastest and cleanest process possible with the highest quality in finished results, a wonderful alternative to the expected “ordeal” of sand and finishing floors. Using our system you may expect:

No dust
No professional cleaning of home needed
No professional cleaning of HVAC system needed
No repainting of your entire home
No moving out of your home due to toxic fumes

Our process will cause the least disruption to your life. Please give us a call for more information or a free estimate at 893-7721.

Our kids seem to be constantly spilling juice on our new carpet. Any suggestions for cleaning the carpets?

City Tile — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:12:25 +0000

Doug Young

No carpet is stain proof, but since many are stain resistant, you have time to act. Absorb wet spills quickly by blotting repeatedly with white paper or white cloth towels. Always blot; never rub or scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill. Remove the stain using one of the cleaning items recommended for your type of carpet. Rinse the cleaned carpet area with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling. Absorb any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot and weighing them down with a heavy object. This step is necessary even when the carpet doesn’t seem particularly damp. It is vital to receive warranty and cleaning instructions from your flooring professional at time of purchase. We want to help you care for your purchase and protect your investment. Call us for additional cleaning information. We’re glad to help.

Can you refinish a waxed floor?

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:55:55 +0000

The simple answer is yes and you may be surprised at the beauty you find under the wax. Removing old wax also allows floors to be properly sealed. The good thing about wax is that it really does protect the floor, and so in most cases, we end up with a floor that is nearly new—even if it is many years old. The bad thing about wax is that as it breaks down, it holds onto the dirt rather than repels it. Once the wax is removed, new color can be seen!

Any advice on pulling up carpets?

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:52:39 +0000

Sure -

Cut a section at a time with a carpet knife (without cutting into the floor!)
Roll that section up, and then pull up that section of padding.
Use pliers (almost any kind will do, but some are easier on the hands than others) to remove the staples that held down the pad. Pull them straight up, as this will leave the smallest mark in the floor. If they are tight to the floor, tap a small screw driver under them just enough to use the pliers.
Then, use a pry bar to pull up the tack board that runs around the room. Those nails are sharp, so use care! Remove left behind nails with a hammer claw or pry bar.

This is a big job; my best advice is to get a professional to help you. It could save your floors and your back.