Home Maintenance

Before the development of modern polyurethane and epoxy finishes, floors were protected with more natural products, including linseed oil. Linseed oil, a product of flax, was an effective...

Travertine is a natural, porous limestone tile available in two varieties: natural and honed. Natural travertine is travertine left in its natural state. Ridges and indentations give it a casual...

Floor furnaces are located beneath the floor, usually in a crawlspace or basement. The vent is located on the floor above the furnace, and is usually covered with a metal frame. The pilot is...

Urethane is the most common surface finish for hardwood floors. Urethane comes in an oil-based, moisture-based and water-based finish, each composed of a different mixture of synthetic resins and...

Terrazzo floors are not only beautiful, but also very durable. Terrazzo is made by embedding pieces of marble in concrete and then polishing the surface to be very smooth. As a result of...

Rubberized floor tiles are used for a variety of purposes including kid's play areas, yoga, martial arts and gym floors. Rubberized tile is lightweight, waterproof and shock-absorbing, making it...

Mold in living areas can be dangerous to humans. Among the many health problems that it is linked to are respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, coughing and...

If you have made the decision to refinish your basement, the renovations probably include the installation of a new carpet. In order to prevent moisture and mildew from penetrating the carpeting,...

If your hardwood floor has lost its luster, but is not so worn that an all-out sanding job is needed, then a buffing followed by a fresh coat of floor finish is in order. The buffing will remove...

This article will show you how to properly mop a floor without using excess chemicals. Depending on how big the floor is this should not take to long and will kill bacteria that is living on your...

Wood floors have been used for hundreds of years and have a timeless beauty unmatched by any modern flooring material. A high-quality wooden floor that is properly installed can last up to 100...

Thinking of moving heavy furniture? Just had the floor refinished? Discovering a gouge in that shiny, new hardwood floor churns the stomach. Over time, such accidents are inevitable; just don't...

Travertine is a sedimentary stone that is a form of sandstone such as marble. The difference between marble and travertine is the amount of time it's subjected to pressure, similar to how peat can...

Residue from cleaning products like Mop and Glo can build up on your wood floor over time. This can cause discoloration of the wood and a cloudy appearance. Removing this residue is a simple but...

Over time you may notice that certain floors in your home starting to sag or creak. In order to remedy this problem you must level the floor from beneath. Basement floor jacks, or brace poles, are...

Hardwood floors enhance the beauty of a home and are a durable alternative to carpeting, even if you have a dog. People tend to believe that hardwood floors and dogs aren't compatible due the the...

Trafficmaster vinyl flooring is resistant and easy to care for. Vinyl flooring is also an economical option to wood or tiles. Being waterproof, Trafficmaster vinyl flooring is ideal for areas such...

Imagination is the only limitation when designing a parquet floor. Historically wealthy European families began using parquet flooring in the 17th century. During this period, parquet designs were...

Faulty construction, the age of the building or sinking concrete footings can cause a home's floor to sag over time. Using adjustable steel posts to level the floor is the best method to fix this...

For years, hardwood floor refinishing has been associated with unpleasant odors due to finish products such as stains, seals and varnishes. While these odors are a problem in the short-term, the...

Made from the naturally sustainable wood of the cork tree, cork is often used as flooring in homes and offices because of its ability to reduce noise and absorb shock. It is known for being...

Cleaning your bedroom may seem long and boring. (If you've havent cleaned it in a while!) But when a job can't be pout off for any longer, you need to break out trash bags, and get working!

Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful floor coverings is hardwood flooring. It has been around almost as long as the dwelling itself, and if the cavemen could have figured out how to use it,...

If you've got a wood floor that you regularly polish, or an unglazed ceramic tile floor that requires regular waxing, you'll eventually notice that hazy, discolored look that indicates wax...

Homemade floor polish can be made with general ingredients you probably have on hand. Sure, you can purchase a simple bottle of floor polish, but it's nice to know exactly what's in the products...

Learn how to check a home without an Inspector.

With few exceptions, brick floors today are made of thin brick tiles, not full bricks, but the substance is the same. Bricks are man-made pressed and baked material that is a lot more porous than...

The best way to keep your cement garage floor clean is to make sure it's properly sealed. Concrete looks and feels rock-hard, but if it's not sealed, then it's basically a big sponge, soaking up...

Applying wax to wood floors is often viewed as a tedious task. However, your room appearance will be greatly enhanced once the task is completed. Before starting, make sure any previously applied...

Granite floor tile is a hard surface stone that is very easy to maintain. The most damaging substance to granite tile is just your everyday dirt and sand. Scratching is much easier to do to...

Engineered wood floors offer the beauty of hardwood but at an affordable price. Made of a thin wood veneer over plywood, engineered wood comes prefinished and is easy to care for.

Wood floors add natural elegance, warmth and solidity to a home. With proper maintenance they'll last a lifetime. Caring for them, however, doesn't have to include expensive and possibly toxic...

Properly maintained hardwood floors add both distinction and value to a home. Their warm glow and solid appearance have special appeal. However, they also need special care and regular cleaning to...

Linoleum is truly green flooring, manufactured from "dough" of linseed oil, cork and wood flour, limestone and pine rosin. It's pressed onto jute backing and allowed to dry. Remarkably durable,...

Wood parquet floor tiles are a popular flooring for the home. Historically, they were made by hand and had many different designs. Today, the tiles are made from hardwood and have been in use for...

Cork flooring is a neat way to floor your home, but taking care of the floor can sometimes be confusing. In order to clean cork floors, you do not need a lot of supplies, but you do need some...

I work in a school cafeteria so I come in close contact with the school janitors and have learned several useful cleaning tips from them. This is the one that I have been able to put to use the...

Sanding down hardwood floors in any part of your home may seem like an intimidating and time-consuming task. Indeed, it can be. But with the right tools and techniques, you may find that the job...

Ordinary cleaners won't totally clean the deep down grime on your textured shower floor. It's a combination of dirt, oil, and soap scum. What's a girl to do??

There is nothing more beautiful than a marble floor that gleams in the sunlight and looks pristine. But, in the real world, a home's floors are high-traffic, hard working areas where the finish on...

Wood floors have a warm, natural sheen that can make any space more beautiful and inviting. But over time and without proper care, the wood timbers can lose that luster, becoming dull and worn....

In most homes, the attic is an unused space that is not often thought about. It is not heated or cooled but can drain your home of energy. Many attics are not insulated adequately to prevent...

Waxed floors will stay cleaner longer than unwaxed ones. But don't just dump the wax on the floor and spread it around with a rag. First you have to clean the floor. And if it's been a while, you...

Vinyl floors are a durable and keep their beauty for years if properly cared for. You need to seal a vinyl tile floor after it is laid and every few years as it begins to dull. High traffic areas...

Ceramic tile can be found in promenades, kitchens, vast galleries, and almost everywhere heavy foot traffic is an issue. It has filled the imaginations of homeowners across the world. Fortunately,...

Pergo flooring is a great alternative to actual wood, and, although it is fairly easy to keep up, it still requires regular care and maintenance. It's important to keep in mind that just as water...

After multiple showers the flooring can get rather scummy, especially if you have a job that requires you to work outside. The dirt from your body can sit on the floor of your shower and remain...

Wood flooring creates both an elegant and natural look in a home but like any flooring it must be cared for to insure its beauty lasts for many years. Wood floors have a finish on them, a product...

Every owner of an old home with wood floors has learned where those spots are that squeak loudly each time you step on them. A squeaking wood floor isn't usually an indicator of a serious problem...

Over time, waterproof covering can wear off of a deck. Wooden deck floors should be waterproofed every three to five years. You can save money and time by completing this home improvement project...