Victoria & Vicinity, Texas 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

At the underside of the floor are the joists, typically 2 X 10 or larger boards that support the floor weight. Joists are normally spaced 16 inches apart, measured from the center of one to the center of the next. For the floor to be sturdy, the joists need to be solid and properly supported by posts and beams. The sub-floor is nailed to the joists. Recently built houses in Victoria & Vicinity (since the 1970's) contain sub-floors that are made of 3/4 inch tongue and groove plywood. Older Victoria & Vicinity 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. Most 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 extend too far for the weight applied to them. To rectify the problem, further support is added to the joists and is generally installed by professionals.

Cleaning and Maintaining Floors

Carpets

It is highly suggested that carpeting be vacuumed each day. This might not be viable for the majority of 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

As a general rule, these types of wood floors do not need much cleaning beyond standard sweeping. Professionals propose that a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum be used to clean these types of floors. Sunlight exposure may change the color of hardwood eventually. Moving the furniture around balances out the floor's exposure to the sun and averts this discoloration. Another tip to remember is to avoid spikes or high-heeled shoes on these floors for apparent reasons. Additionally, it's recommended to maintain a humidity level between 35 - 55%. High humidity may cause swelling and low humidity can cause shrinking.

Resilient and Laminate Flooring

Resilient flooring frequently refers to sheet or tile vinyl and linoleum flooring. These floors are simple to keep up. Routine care contains utilizing a dust mop or vacuum to eliminate dust and dirt. These floors should use special cleaning products rather than soap-based detergents or typical "mop and shine" products.

Ceramic Tile and Natural Stone

These floorings are the easiest to preserve. It is 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 water and white vinegar then test the mixture 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 ought to be cleaned with a soft-bristle brush and a mild detergent. To kill mold and mildew, mix one-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 strongly suggested that it be sealed every 1-2 years.