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HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS |
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Flooring
CARPET
The carpet that is installed in your new home is a stain resistant carpet. While most stain resistant treatment is effective, it is definitely not a substitute for cleanup of household accidents. Your carpet shouldn’t require much maintenance besides regular vacuuming and the occasional cleaning of stains. It is recommended that heavy traffic areas be vacuumed 3-4 times per month.
We strive to make the carpets appear seamless, however, no carpeting is seamless. To make every carpet seam invisible would be impossible, and carpets such as Berber, show seams more than others.
Furniture should not be dragged across carpet as this could pull the carpet loose, cause seams to stretch or separate.
CERAMIC TILE
To stay new looking, ceramic tile usually only needs a wipe with a damp cloth or a wet mopping. Alternative products to use in cleaning tile are:
DAP – used to fill in cracks and gaps in grout joints.
X-14 – used to clean tile and to keep it free of germs, mold, mildews, and soap scum.
GROUT AND TILE CLEANER – used to clean stains in grout and on tiles.
Ceramic tile wears well and has a high resistance to scratching. The finish is made to prevent slipping so they do not have a glossy finish. There may be some color variation in tiles but normally aren’t very noticeable.
Tile and grout are not flexible materials therefore you may notice some cracking in grout joints. This is considered normal due to the expansion and contraction of adjacent building materials. This is not considered a defect. In areas where the tile abuts materials such as trim, tubs, and countertops, small separation cracks may occur.
It is important to regularly caulk the grout joints to prevent water damage and/or leaks in your home.
Grout and Tile can stain easily so it’s important that you clean them on a regular basis. Always remember to wash new rugs before placing on tile as they can bleed and stain the grout.
HARDWOOD FLOORING
The hardwood floor in your home is pre-finished wood. Although durable, hardwood floors need to be cared for properly and should be protected from changes in moisture, abrasions, and uneven exposure to sunlight.
Pre-finished floors are finished in a controlled environment by the manufacturer. They typically are more durable than site finished wood. In the case it is ever damaged, it usually is easier to repair.
Because the moisture content of hardwood flooring is directly related to the temperature and humidity inside and outside the home, your hardwood flooring may experience swelling and shrinking. Low moisture content will cause the planks to shrink and when the moisture content is high, the planks will swell.
Moisture is the primary cause of damage to hardwood floors. If liquids such as water are left standing, this could cause staining or bowing of the wood.
In wet areas such as a bathroom or around the sink or dishwasher, special attention is needed. Spills need to be wiped up immediately with a dry cloth or paper towel. For sticky spills, use a slightly damp cloth.
Never use floor mats that have a rubber, foam, or plastic backing, they will trap moisture on the hardwood floors. Instead, use a vinyl backed mat.
Sweep your hardwood floors on a daily basis or as needed. Never wet mop a hardwood floor as this could ruin the flooring. We recommend using the manufacturer’s recommended product to clean the hardwoods.
VINYL FLOORING
A “no-wax” vinyl flooring was used in your new home. It shouldn’t rip, tear, or gouge under normal household activity. When moving major appliances, be careful not to tear or rip the flooring. It is suggested that plywood or cardboard be placed down when moving appliances.
The following list contains items that may cause damage to your vinyl flooring.
- Foam, plastic, and rubber backed mats could cause discoloration of the floor. Our recommendation is to use mats made of natural fabrics.
- High heeled shoes may cause indentations in the floor. It is important to keep heels in good repair to reduce problems they might cause.
- Rolling casters may rip the floor. Do not use carts with single rolling casters. Casters that have double rolling wheels are recommended because they minimize the pressure put on the flooring.
In order to clean the vinyl flooring, this can be done by vacuuming and mopping. When mopping, avoid using soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, or “mop and shine” products as they can remove the finish and/or leave a dull film on the floor’s surface. It is recommended that a wand attachment be used when vacuuming the vinyl flooring because the beater bar on an upright vacuum can cause visible damage to the floors.
Repair cut or gouged floors immediately to prevent the holes from growing larger. In some instances, it may be wise to contact a flooring professional.