Grand Rapids & Vicinity, Michigan 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, typically 2 X 10 or larger boards that support the floor weight. Joists are typically spaced 16 inches apart, measured from the center of one to the center of the next. For the floor to be structurally sound, the joists must be solid and correctly supported by beams and posts. The sub-floor is nailed to the joists. Modern houses in Grand Rapids & Vicinity (since the 1970's) contain sub-floors that are made of 3/4 inch tongue and groove plywood. Older Grand Rapids & Vicinity homes often consist of 1 inch wood planks nailed diagonally across the joists.

Unless water gets into the sub-flooring, they will mainly 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 prior to the floor covering is installed. Floors bounce when the joists at a greater distance than the weight applied to them. To correct the problem, extra support is added to the joists and is more often than not installed by professionals.

Cleaning and Maintaining Floors

Carpets

It is recommended that carpets should be vacuumed each day. This might not be feasible for most people, but a good rule to follow is to vacuum whenever possible. When vacuuming, begin opposite the entranceway and gradually move the vacuum in lengthy, overlapping strokes.

Cork, Hardwood and Bamboo

For the majority of the time, these types of wood floors don't require much cleaning further than standard sweeping. Specialists suggest that a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum be used to clean these types of floors. Sunlight exposure may change the color of hardwood over time. Moving the furniture around balances the floor's Sunlight exposure and prevents 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. It is further recommended to keep a humidity level between 35 - 55%. High humidity can cause swelling and low humidity may cause shrinkage.

Laminate and Resilient Flooring

Resilient flooring mostly refers to sheet or tile vinyl and linoleum flooring. These floors are simple to maintain. Routine care is comprised of using a vacuum or dust mop to remove dust and dirt. 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 easiest to maintain. It is highly suggested 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 solution with a soft-bristle brush. Grout joints are the most vulnerable part of tile floors. The following areas ought to 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.