Northern Coast, California Flooring

When you think of floors, most often you associate this with floor coverings – carpet, tile, wood, or resilient flooring. Like walls, atypical wood-frame floor consists of several layers that work together to provide structural support.

Flooring Introdution

Underneath the floor are the joists, mainly 2 X 10 or larger boards that support the floor weight. Joists are generally spaced 16 inches apart, measured from the center of one to the center of the next. For a sturdy floor, the joists must be solid and suitably supported by beams and posts. The sub-floor is nailed to the joists. Newer homes in Northern Coast (since the 1970's) contain sub-floors that are made of 3/4 inch tongue and groove plywood. Older Northern Coast homes often consist of 1 inch wood planks nailed diagonally across the joists.

Unless water seeps into the sub-flooring, they will typically last a very long time. Often plywood is used atop of the sub-floor. For many types of floor coverings such as ceramic tile, stone, or other resilient flooring, adhesive or mortar is placed on top of the plywood before the floor covering is installed. Floors bounce when the joists span too large a distance for the weight applied to them. To correct the problem, additional support is added to the joists and is more often than not installed by professionals.

Maintaining and Cleaning Floors

Carpets

It is highly suggested that carpeting ought to be vacuumed every day. This might not be feasible for most people, but a good rule to follow is to vacuum as often as possible. When vacuuming, start opposite the door and gradually move the vacuum in lengthy, intercepting strokes.

Hardwood, Cork and Bamboo

For the majority of the time, these types of wood floors are not in need of much cleaning further than regular sweeping. Experts propose that a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum be used to clean these types of floors. Exposure to sunlight may change the color of hardwood after awhile. Moving the furniture around balances out the floor's exposure to the sun and averts this discoloration. Another tip to take into account is to stay away from wearing spikes or high-heeled shoes on these floors for apparent reasons. An additional recommendation is to maintain a humidity level between 35 - 55%. High humidity may cause swelling and low humidity can cause shrinkage.

Laminate and Resilient Flooring

Resilient flooring often refers to sheet or tile vinyl and linoleum flooring. These floors are easy to maintain. Routine care is composed of utilizing a dust mop or vacuum to remove dirt and dust. These floors should use special cleaning products rather than soap-based detergents or typical "mop and shine" products.

Natural Stone and Ceramic Tile

These floorings are the simplest to preserve. It is recommended not to use soap-based detergents to clean this type of flooring as well. For heavy stains on glazed ceramic tile, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water then test the solution in a discrete area for color fastness. Wash the flooring with this mixture with a soft-bristle brush. Grout joints are the weakest part of tile floors. The following areas should be cleaned with a soft-bristle brush and a mild detergent. To kill mold and mildew, mix 1-part chlorine with ten-parts water. Apply this solution to the stain and let it set for 10 minutes. Scour with either a toothbrush or a soft-bristle brush. Finally, to help grout stay clean, it is highly suggested that it be sealed every 1-2 years.