FLOORING
Carpeting
Wall-to-wall carpeting installed as the
primary floor covering, when stretched
and secured properly, should not come
up, become loose, separate or stretch
excessively at its points of attachment.
Efforts are made to limit the number of
seams and to place the seams as
unobtrusively as possible; however,
seaming is unavoidable.
When you choose to have the carpet cleaned, review the
manufacturer's recommendations so that the method used does
not void the manufacturer's warranty.
Vacuum at least once a week.
It is recommended that carpet in heavy traffic areas be vacuumed
more frequently. An upright vacuum with beater bar works best.
Occasionally, vacuum against the grain of the pile to remove dirt
and to help raise the carpet's nap.
Spills and stains should be removed with a lintless white cloth.
Always blot; never rub.
Semi-solids can be removed with a rounded spoon.
Before using a stain remover, refer to manufacturer's
recommendations and pre-test by applying several drops of the
stain remover to an inconspicuous area, such as in a closet.
Clip snagged carpet fibers with manicure scissors, do not pull.
Pushing the furniture may stretch the carpet and cause "ripples."
Lift furniture to move it.
Move furniture an inch or two every couple of weeks so it doesn't
always push down on the same fibers.
Moldings and thresholds that hold carpeting down must be kept
firmly in place.
Excessive sunlight may cause carpet to fade.
Use window coverings to reduce the effect of sunlight on carpeting.
Keep clean entry mats at every entrance to reduce tracked-in soil.
Caution the movers that you hire that pushing furniture or sliding
boxes can stretch your carpet. If your carpet shows ripples or
ridges after the movers have completed their work, contact
the moving company immediately.
Carpet has a tendency to loosen in damp weather and tighten
again in dry weather. This stretching is normal.
Hardwood
Some shrinkage or warpage of hardwood floors may occur,
especially around heat vents or heat producing appliances.
If your wood floors become wet repeatedly, or are soaked through
even once, warping could occur.
Warping and swelling can adversely affect the level of your wood
floors. Keep surface areas dry.
Wipe up spills immediately and dry the area.
Follow the care and sealing recommendations for wood floors to
maximize the life of your uncovered hardwood floor and prevent
warping and swelling.
Moisture, tracked in on wet shoes also causes a filmy, white
surface on hardwood floors.
Moving heavy furniture can cause scratching; dropping heavy
objects can cause dimples.
Heavy traffic areas are likely to show a dulling of the finish over
time.
Refer to your manufacturer's recommendations for proper care of
your hardwood floors. You are responsible for routine
maintenance of your hardwood floors for the life of your home.
Preventive maintenance is the primary goal with hardwood floors.
Wood floors will respond noticeably to changes in humidity levels.
Seasonal changes will cause the wood to expand or contract. A
humidifier, used according to manufacturer's instructions, will help,
but will not completely eliminate this natural reaction of wood.
If damp or rainy weather causes a slight expansion in your
hardwood floors, the boards may rub together, creating a squeak.
Use floor protectors on furniture legs to avoid scratches and
indentations.
Use extreme caution when moving furniture. Check your
manufacturer's recommendations for touching up scratches or
gouges on wood floors.
Some manufacturers offer special touch-up kits.
Use mats at outside door entrances and area rugs to protect your
floors from moisture and dirt. Do not use rubber, foam or plastic
backed mats as they can discolor the wood.
Sweep or vacuum as needed. Always check your manufacturer's
instructions for further cleaning directions.
Over time, with normal use, polyurethane finished floors may need
to be re-coated by a qualified contractor.
Wax or oil based products are neither necessary nor
recommended for polyurethane finished floors. If you use such
products, it is very difficult to re-coat the floor.
Preventive maintenance and regular cleaning should maintain the
desired luster.
Wipe all spills immediately. For dried spills, use a slightly damp
cloth with vinegar and warm water solution.
Clean wood floors with a dry dust mop.
Damp mopping (damp, not wet) should be done only on in-place,
finished, well-sealed floors.
As a general rule of thumb, the less moisture applied to the
surface of a wood floor, the better.
If possible, limit the amount of direct sunlight, with blinds or
curtains, on wood paneling to reduce fading.
Vinyl Floors
Clean loose dirt, dust and crumbs with a broom, dust mop or
vacuum on a daily basis.
Wipe spills with a dry cloth.
If a spot dries, use a damp cloth or mop.
Occasionally damp mop resilient floors.
Excessive water can penetrate seams, causing flooring to lift and
curl.
Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for proper care. Most vinyl
flooring is "no wax," which means it has a clear, tough coating on
the surface. Even this surface will scuff or become dull over time.
Restore original shine with an acrylic finish, rather than a paste
wax or solvent-based polishes.
Use floor protectors on furniture legs to avoid scratches,
indentations, tears and wrinkles.
Use extreme caution when moving appliances and furniture. If you
have to move furniture or appliances across resilient flooring, try
placing a piece of cardboard beneath the appliance or furniture
then sliding. Do not 'walk' or 'rock' appliance across the floor.
Asphalt compounds tracked in on shoes may permanently stain
vinyl flooring.
Use mats at doors to minimize tracking.
Be aware that some foam, plastic or rubber-backed mats may
discolor vinyl floors over time.
Raised nail heads are a result of movements of the floor joist
caused by natural shrinkage and deflection.
Should your resilient flooring become torn or gouged, some
manufacturers offer seam kits.
Refer to your manufacturer's instructions for repair.
If a nail "pop" becomes visible through resilient flooring, place a
block of wood over it and hit the wood with a hammer to reset the
nail.
Tile, Brick, Marble, Slate, Stone
Ceramic and marble tiles are durable and decorative. Cracks in
grouting of ceramic tile joints are common due to normal shrinkage
conditions.
Shade and/or color variation is inherent in all fired clay products
and grout. Marble slate and stone are products of nature and will
have variations in coloring and vein lines.
It is natural for slight separations to occur where tile grout meets
another material, such as along the edge of the bathtub.
Grout between tiles may crack. Tub and tile caulk can be used to
seal this separation.
Seal as soon as possible as missing or cracked grout allows water
to seep under the tile to the flooring beneath.
Vacuum or use a dust mop on floors as needed. Occasional
mopping with warm water (in moderation) may be appropriate.
Refer to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Abrasive cleaners should not be used on tile or marble, slate or
stone floors as they may mar the surfaces.
Place furniture on protective pads instead of dragging items over
your tile floors.
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