Floors & floor finishes

Hardwood flooring :

Hardwood floors are made from kiln dried material but are subject to the natural process of shrinkage and expansion. Lower inside humidity in winter, especially near heating outlets, wili cause the wood to separate slightly. Too high a humidity, on the other hand, wili cause expansion and may load to cupping or a swelling in the center of the board. The above movements vary seasonally and may be related to the time of year during which the flooring was installed.

Parquet or laminated wood block flooring sometimes has a tendency to make noises resembling a "crack" or "pop" as it expands and contracts; this noise is infrequent and should not be cause for alarm. High relative humidity may cause this type of flooring to lift, especially during periods of hot humid weather - particularly if the house is closed, such as during a holiday period.

Hardwood flooring can be both beautiful and easy to maintain if a few points are kept in mind. Initially it may seem that the floor is slightly rough to the touch, but this is something only painstaking hand rubbing with fine steel wool can eliminate. After a few wax applications such minor irregularities will disappear resulting in a smooth surface with a warm glow that only personal care can produce.

Cleaning can be made easier by using a good hardwood floor cleaner. Excessive water and harsh detergents are harmful to hardwood and their use is to be discouraged. If the hardwood floor has been sealed with a clear lacquer sealer, waxing may not be required and damp mop clearing may be adequate.

Resilient flooring :

To preserve the appearance of tile or composite sheet materials such as vinyl, precautions should be taken against indentations from furniture. Furniture cups, which prevent heavy furniture legs from cutting or denting resilient flooring, are available at hardware stores as are smooth fiat glides for lighter pieces of furniture such as chairs. Metal domes should not be used on furniture legs as they wili mar the floor surface.

It may take a short period of time for floor tile adhesive to "set" completely. Normal use (foot traffic) and the weight of furniture wili aid this process. Should a tile shift during this setting period it can be reset easily; slip a flat knife under the tile and pry up gently and push into position, (this should only be done with tile at room temperature as some materials are brittle when cold and break easily). Regluing may not be necessary. Ail resilient floorings are subject to some indentation and this should not be regarded as a defect.

Resilient flooring should be washed with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Harsh cleaners can cause fading, discoloration and in some cases, make such materials hard and brittle. Stubborn scuff marks can usually be rernoved with a damp cloth and scouring powder. Avoid using steel wool and a cleaning fluid.

The application of water emulsion type liquid wax in thin even coats is recornmended as a protective coating for resilient floorings. Waxes containing solvents, varnish, shellac or any plastic finishing material should not be used as the solvents may cause material breakdown or buckling. Use water sparingly when washing floors as it may seep between tiles, flooring joints and where the flooring rneets baseboards and other trim. Note that some of the newer materials may not require waxing.

The seams between sheets of flooring underlay sometimes show through resilient flooring. No positive method of preventing such occurrences is known even though flooring contractors attempt to attain a level surface using appropriate fillers.

Carpeting :

Carpeting is relatively easy to care for and a simple, regular-care plan wili go far to maintaining the original appearance for many years. To maintain the optimum appearance the following procedures are recommended:

1. Instant removal of spills to prevent spots and stains.
   
   
2. Daily maintenance of heavy traffic areas to pick up surface dirt and lint.
   
   
3. A thorough weekly vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner, properly adjusted for the type of carpet involved, is recommended to remove "embedded " dirt.
   
   
4. Seasonal brightening of the surface by cleaning is required to remove oily film on carpet fibres.
   
   
5. For those who want the best appearance and longest performance from carpets or rugs, professional cleaning is recommended every year or two, depending on use and appearance

Carpet stain removal chart :

This chart covers most household spills on carpets and fibres. If a stain does not respond, phone your carpet cleaner immediately for advice. Some stains need special chemicals and procedures, best handled by experts.

Dissolve These Oily Type Spills In Dry Cleaning Fluid:
(Remember to put some dry cleaning fluid on a damp cloth before applying to stain).

Carpeting :

Dissolve These Water Soluble Spills in Detergent Solution:

These are combinations of material spills that may need both dry cleaner and detergent to dissolve all the ingredients. Apply the solution recommended for the group it belongs to; if repeated applications produce no effect then apply the other solution and repeat until stain is removed.

1. Apply a small amount of the solution to neutralise the acidity of the stain.
   
   
2. Apply a small amount of a vinegar-water (a very mild acid) solution to neutralise the alkalinity of the stain.

*NOTE: If you are not able to determine what was spilled, apply dry cleaning fluid first and blot, repeating if effective. Then try the detergent solution and blot, repeating if effective.