Cleaning Blog
A Guide To Laminate Flooring
For households and offices which require a low maintenance flooring solution, laminate flooring has been known to be an effective choice for its attractiveness, durability, ease of installation, as well as for its reasonable price when compared to many other flooring options. However, despite the fact that laminate flooring is popular, there are a great many misconceptions and mysteries surrounding it in terms of how laminate flooring is made and how it differs from solid hardwood.
Laminate flooring is typically made up of three separate layers: a tough aluminum oxide wear layer with a photograph of wood, stone, or brick adhered to the underside of it; a core or "carrier" usually made of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) which is a processed wood product that is very moisture resistant; and a final layer of plastic laminate backing to seal the entire piece against moisture and potential pests.
Laminate flooring is a cost-effective and easy to care for alternative to genuine wood or stone surfaces. Being more tolerant to moisture, it can more readily be used in bathrooms or other areas where moisture may pose problems for other flooring materials - as long as the manufacturer's warranty includes moisture coverage. Because of its simple tongue and groove attachment pattern, it can be utilized in virtually any room of the house, provided that there is a concrete, plywood, or other firm floor surface below it.
Laminate floors do not stain, fade, dent, or warp like real hardwood floors, although they have a similar cost. They also often include lifetime warranties against most problems and defects. If your home has significant foot traffic (including children and/or pets) then a laminate floor will hold up much better than a comparable wood or even tile floor, and be considerably less expensive than stone flooring materials.
Another advantage of laminate flooring is that you're not just limited to fake wood patterns: you can also get stone, tiles, or bright colours or other interesting patterns - you simply have much more choice than you do with wood. The worldwide market for laminate flooring is growing much faster than that of wood, mainly for reasons of cost.
When you choose laminate flooring, it is important to get the right kind of flooring for your room. Living rooms need floors that can take quite a lot of weight, while bathroom floors need to be water-resistant (although even the most water-resistant laminates don't do well if they consistently get wet).
One other downside of laminate flooring is that it tends to make a tell-tale tap-tap sound when it's walked on, compared to quiet wood floors. You can get underlay that will go some way towards getting rid of this sound, but it's an extra expense and extra trouble to install.
If you have a lot of traffic in your home and plan to stay there for some time, laminate flooring may prove to be the best value for your money because of its long life, durability and excellent warranty coverage. It is not the least expensive flooring option, so it is always important to weigh the costs and features against your needs. If you want the look of hardwood but have a sub-floor that is incompatible with real hardwood floors, laminate flooring may be the choice for you!
Article Source: http://www.cleaningarticles.com
Does Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning Affect Indoor Air Quality?
by Steve Hanson
With all the talk about indoor air quality these days, people have become concerned that hot water extraction can adversely affect the indoor air quality of their homes and the buildings they work in.
Is there a reason to be concerned? There shouldn't be, unless the carpet cleaning technician doesn't have the proper training or the right equipment for the job.
The concern is that using water to clean carpet can lead to growth of mold or harmful microorganisms, which can affect the health of building occupants. But consider this -- heat kills microorganisms and hot water extraction is the most effective way to apply heat to the carpet to kill the microorganisms and clean at the same time.
With today's technology in carpet cleaning, there is no reason cleaning a carpet using water should become hazardous to indoor air quality. The key is to dry the carpet as quickly as possible. Following are tips for making sure carpet is dried quickly in order to avoid growth of any harmful mold or microorganisms:
*Do not over-wet the carpet. This is accomplished by using up-to-date equipment that has maximum extraction capability. It is also accomplished by proper training. If the carpet cleaning technician is not properly trained, he could use too much water when carpet cleaning.
*Make multiple vacuum passes. After making the initial solution pass, use multiple vacuum passes to extract as much water from the carpet as possible.
*Increase ventilation. Open windows if possible or turn on fans to speed drying of carpet. If the building has a ventilation system, ask the property manager or owner to turn it on during carpet cleaning to aid in air circulation. Carpet should be completely dry within 24 hours or less.
*Follow up carpet extraction with dry carpet bonnets. Using dry carpet bonnets attached to a slow speed floor machine will help to absorb additional moisture on the carpet surface.
*Make sure equipment is cleaned and maintained after each use. Equipment that doesn't work properly, has clogged hoses or leaks, can decrease suction and cause problems.
Hot water extraction carpet cleaning does not mean the indoor air quality of your home or office will be adversely affected. In fact, with frequent vacuuming and regularly scheduled carpet cleaning, your carpets will be in top condition for many years, and the indoor air quality will actually be improved because allergens and microorganisms are being removed on a regular basis.
Article Source: http://www.cleaningarticles.com
