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There are a number of different ways to care for hardwood flooring. One all-natural way is to use pure lemon oil or lemon oil extract. Use lemon oil to clean, moisturize and restore luster to your...
Parquet flooring is an elegant alternative to such decorative stones as marble, limestone and slate. Unlike other flooring methods, it does not retain moisture that can rot the foundation of the...
A newly refinished hardwood floor is quite beautiful, even if the floor is old. A refinished floor takes on a new life and the uniformity of the finish usually allows the natural appearance of the...
A creaky wood floor isn't necessarily an indication of a structural problem or other serious issue with the floorboards, but it can drive you nuts. It's caused by the loosening of the floorboards...
Refinishing a hardwood floor is a dirty, dusty job no matter how you do it, but you can take steps to control the dust. Proper preparation of the room and frequent vacuuming of the dust while...
In many instances a concrete slab may be connected to a concrete footer rather than the slab "floating" on top of the footer. Construction where free movement of the slab is not desired (for...
Whether you are renovating or repairing, you may be faced with the need to remove an existing concrete slab. Cured concrete is incredibly strong, this is why it is the material of choice to...
If you don't seal a wood floor after installation, it will soon become a sponge for moisture and stains. One of the most effective sealers is polyurethane (also called urethane), which creates a...
Cement is a porous material that absorbs water. Over time, cracks may form in the cement due to water penetrating the surface, then freezing and thawing. These cracks may be small hairline cracks...
Stone is one of the most popular materials for patio floors; however, the installation process can prove to be a messy one. It is common for stray amounts of concrete to find their way to the...
Though it may sound difficult, blood stains can be gotten out of a bathroom floor. Provided no one was murdered, it would be a good idea to remove the blood stains as soon as possible. As with...
Floors squeak because changes in temperature and humidity cause the wooden parts to shrink or swell and rub against each other or against the nails that hold them together. Depending on which...
Concrete is the ultimate versatile media. No matter if your concrete floor is marred, gouged or cracked, new concrete can be poured right over it to level it out, giving it added strength and...
Concrete basement floors inherently wick moisture from the ground into the home. This moisture, which is not always obvious, harms flooring of any type installed directly on the concrete. Carpets...
After years of wear and tear, a hardwood floor may need to be refinished. Before you begin such a project, however, you may first need to determine what kind of finish was originally applied to...
Floors that have been finished with polyurethane are resistant to moisture and stains, but as with any surface finish, they can be scratched. The blend of water or petroleum bases with synthetic...
Replacing uneven flooring does not have to mean calling a contractor and saying good-bye to the better part of your remodeling budget. Whether you are working with concrete, wood or tile, there...
You can easily protect your hardwood floors from scratches and indentations by using the right rug pad under your area rugs. Simply place the rug pad under each rug and prevent damage to all...
Italian marble is a beautiful and delicate surface often used for countertops, coffee tables and flooring. Over time, Italian marble, which is a variety of traditional marble, will develop...
Slate is durable choice for flooring. Slate virtually repels stains, and its beautiful mix of red, green and black colors are definitely eye-catching. Homeowners moving towards "greener" solutions...
After you have had your carpet for several years, it can begin to fray and show signs of wear and tear. Fraying is unavoidable if you have carpet, particularly at the seams where the carpet is...
Polished concrete is an attractive, durable alternative to more traditional floor surfaces. In contrast to wood or laminate, it is environmentally friendly and will last decades with very little...
You've decided it's time to do something with those old or worn wood floors. What are your choices if you don't want to sand off the finish? Consider a series of alternatives and choose the one...
Water damage in the bathroom can occur so slowly that the floor weakens without anyone noticing. A toilet that seeps slowly around the wax ring or a sink drain that has a slow drip can do...
Laminate flooring, also known as no-wax floor, comes with a built-in shine that lasts for years. But, like all good things, the shine eventually comes off an as dirt buildup becomes nearly...
Polyurethane is the top finish of choice today for most hardwood floors. It goes on in liquid form, spread with a soft applicator, and dries into a hard, clear plastic shell that sits on top of...
Linoleum flooring is installed atop a foundation, or subfloor. A common subfloor in homes and industrial buildings is concrete, which provides a solid base for linoleum sheeting. When removing or...
A rug can add to the comfort and overall aesthetic of a room. When placed on smooth surfaces such as concrete, rugs are likely to shift and move whenever you walk on them. For this reason, most...
Stripping the wax off a linoleum floor is a messy and time-consuming project. It does not have to be completed often, but when it is time, it will take a couple hours to finish. Strip the floor...
Peel-and-stick vinyl tile is inexpensive and easy to install. In fact, just about anyone can do it. If you are considering new flooring, consider peel-and-stick vinyl tile. It can add an upgraded...
That shine on your hardwood floors is polyurethane gloss, a clear, glass-like material that goes on in liquid form and creates a hard shell over the floor's surface. Eventually, polyurethane will...
Wood flooring makes for a grand atmosphere in any home and is often looked to for an old world charm. The flooring is sturdy and generally makes it easier to clean up spills. Because floors are...
Wood floors can be a nice feature in your home. They are easy to clean and provide a durable surface to walk upon. Wood floors, however, can be prone to scratches and gashes if they are...
Linoleum flooring is typically installed to provide a smooth, durable surface on which to walk. It is easy to clean and simple to install. A linoleum floor must be laid over a foundation, often...
Floors may be installed of many different materials and surfaces--carpet, stone, linoleum, wood or otherwise. The most common way to install flooring is to bond it to a foundation, or subfloor,...
Vinyl flooring typically is installed to provide a smooth, durable surface on which to walk. It is easy to clean and simple to install. A vinyl floor usually is laid over a foundation, often made...
Linoleum flooring is known for being resistant to scratches and staining. It is easy to clean and requires rather simple installation and maintenance. Another convenience to this method of...
Linoleum is typically installed over hardwood floors by applying a thin layer of glue then laying down the linoleum. When it's time to remove the linoleum you must first pull up the linoleum from...
Mold is a fungus that grows in humid, damp areas. Mold can grow on just about anything, including a hardwood floor. A hardwood floor requires maintenance. Removing mold from hardwood floors is...
Once your concrete has dried completely, you may decide to add a "finish" to the concrete. This is typically some form of decorative stain. There are various issues that arise in both the...
Although rugs are built to be durable, they undergo duress from foot traffic and sometimes need repair. If your wool area rug is fraying near the fringes, you can use a quick and simple knot to...
A creaking floor can be a giant annoyance to many homeowners. Most of the time a creak does not indicate a major problem. A creak is typically caused by a loose nail rubbing against the wood or...
A manufactured house is a house that is built at a factory. Usually these types of homes are delivered in sections and set up on foundations at the delivery site. The manufactured home is not the...
Although wood flooring is typically easier to clean and can add value to your home, there are a few drawbacks to the floor material. For one the wood can endure scratches and other damage, either...
Well-maintained tile floors add value to a home. Tile is a versatile product that is available in a wide range of colors, textures, thicknesses, styles, patterns, finishes and materials, including...
Tile floors are durable and often expensive. If you live in an older home, it is likely that at some point you will have a loose floor tile. If you purchased a newer home and it has loose tile,...
Floor drains are installed in basements to help prevent standing water and flooding. A floor drain will usually be a grate several inches in diameter. The main function of floor drains is to drain...
Every homeowner with a tile floor dreads the thought that at some point a tile in the middle of their floor may become damaged. But, things do get dropped and a tile will break---usually in a very...
A full refinishing job on a hardwood floor is a huge, difficult project that will have your house caked in dust and fumes for a week. It's not something you want to undertake just for the sake of,...
Engineered hardwood flooring is made of real wood. Usually, the plank has 1/16 to 1/8 inch of finished wood on top of plywood. It is not as expensive as solid-wood flooring and can be used in...