Posts Tagged ‘Bathrooms’

Ways To Clean Tile And Grout

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

Tile floors can be certainly exquisite. That is until they get dingy and the grout seems as if it had been drawn on by a black magic marker. There’s not any means of avoiding soiled tile. As long as you are walking on it dirt and soil will build up in time. However it is possible to slow down this progression and ways to restore your tile after it has already been dirtied.

There are various forms of tile to select from. Each offers its very own distinct style and flavor. But whether you’ve ceramic, travertine, or marble one thing remains the same. You must keep it clean.

A handy item to have in your arsenal is a vacuum designed for hard surfaces. These work much better than sweeping because they remove more soil and will not scratch your floor. You may also want to look into getting a micro-fiber or Swiffer mop/sweeper. These are gentle enough to pick up anything left behind after vacuuming without creating any scratches.

When mopping your tile it is ideal that you use a string mop. And if available, one made from a micro-fiber. You don’t want to use an excessive amount of detergent of any kind on your tile. This tends to produce a residue buildup that could attract more soil. What you would like to use is a neutral pH cleaner manufactured for tile. Keep in mind to rinse your mop out frequently with plain water to get out soils as well as detergent residue. As a general rule it is good to mop your floor with plain water every third time you clean. This helps refresh the tile and free it of any buildup that may have occurred from prior cleanings.

It is always essential to be familiar with your tile. Different types of tile require different kinds of maintenance. For instance, never use an acid cleaner, vinegar, or bleach on natural stone. These products can etch into the surface and leave imperfections and other unsightly markings. It is also advised that you not wax your stone or tile. Wax can leave residues that can lead to more damage. Ideally you should polish your natural stone floors on a regular basis to keep it looking its best. For this it is best to call in a pro.

Cleaning grout is a bit more laborous. There really isn’t an easy way to take care of it. Cleaning traditionally entails getting down on to the floor with a little brush and exercising that elbow. You’ll want to be sure to utilize a high alkaline cleaner along with that little brush and rinse after scrubbing.

If you’re getting grout installed it is very important to get it sealed within 10-14 days. And make sure the sealer is only applied after the grout has been thoroughly cleaned. Otherwise you are just sealing the dirt with the grout.

Now as soon as that tile gets past your capabilities you’ll want to call in a professional tile cleaner. It is recommended that you have your tile floor cleaned professionally as well as sealed every 3-5 years. This will make your maintenance efforts less of a challenge and maximize the life of your tile.

Visit Tile Cleaning Richmond or Tile Cleaning Marietta for more info on tile and grout cleaning.

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The Main Types Of Natural Stone Tiles

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Natural stones tiles are a good option for tiling, whether it be inside your home or outside of it. They look good, and are both versatile and durable. The price of them has fallen in recent years, and whilst they do cost a bit more than standard ceramic tiles, they offer better value for money.

Travertine, granite and slate are the main types of natural stone tiles available, and what follows is a brief description of each of those types…

Travertine – This is a form of limestone, which is porous and contains many holes. Though you might wonder why you would want slight holes in your tiles, the aesthetic look is actually very appealing. Travertine is available in a variety of shades of browns, from coffee to light tans. You can use these tiles on both floors and walls.

Granite – This is the most commonly used type of natural stone tile, because it is the most durable. Some people think that it does not look nice enough and that there are not enough different styles, but that is really just a case of personal preference. For floors and outdoor purposes, it really is the best option.

Slate – These tiles come mostly in gray, though you may find that some other colors are mixed in too. They come in varying thicknesses, even from the same box, so maintaining a level floor with them can be difficult; therefore, they are best used for walls and countertops. A big advantage of them is that they are the easiest type of natural stone tile to cut and shape.

To get an idea of exactly how each of these types of natural stone tiles looks, then just take a look at the website of a store that specializes in making / selling them. When it comes to buying, try and get some samples first if you can as how a tile looks in a store or on a website can be quite different to how it will look when in your home.

Remember, that using natural stone tiles is not an either / or decision that you have to make. You can use in a mixture of travertine, granite and slate tiles in the same room to very good effect. You do need to exercise some caution though, and should get a second opinion on your design ideas before getting started.

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Some Important Considerations You Should Take Into Account When Choosing Your Bathroom Floor Tile

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Choosing the right Bathroom Floor Tile is by far the most important decision you need to make when designing a bathroom. Tiles last a very long time and one does not need to change them often, it is imperative to get them right the first time.

Remembering that the choice of Bathroom Floor Tile is important please consider the tips and suggestions regarding buying your tiles. We want to help you make the right choice and prevent you getting the wrong Bathroom Floor Tile.

1. Think of how the finished Bathroom Flooring job will look, what sort of style are you after.

Please take the time to visualize how the tiles will fit into the bathroom decor and consider who will lay them for you and what the cost of the tiles will do to your budget.

2. Ensure you have an accurate plan of the bathroom showing all the relevant measurements.

Deciding on the style of tile for the Bathroom Floor, leads to a need to measure the bathroom accurately so you can estimate the amount of Bathroom Floor Tile required for the job.

Measuring the walls is a good idea in case you wish to have them Tiled.

Accurate measurement will help prevent you buying either too many tiles (an unnecessary expense) or too few tiles which may mean that you cannot find enough of the same tile to complete the job.

3. Hunting for tiles -Thinking about budget, tile types, styles and sizes.

After we decide on the style of Bathroom Tile and have the measurements, it is time to find the right tile.

The size of the Bathroom will influence the decision on what kind of tile you will chose to suit your own budget.

Tiles vary in price with wide variations being available in all of the various kinds of tile form ceramic to vitrified.

If you intend to cover the walls with the tiles as well, remember to choose a tile color for the wall which is lighter as compared to the ones on the floor. It is also important to select the right size and weight of Bathroom Floor Tile.

If one chooses smaller tiles for the bathroom, it would generally cost more money and time for installation.

It is a personal choice as to what size tile you chose, even though some people suggest that smaller tiles look better in the bathroom.

4. A Bathroom Floor Tile needs to be of a color that fits your Bathroom.

Selecting a color of tile from the large range of color and styles of tiles available needs careful reflective thought.

A Color and design combination can add lots of style in your bathroom, so look past the ever popular white.

Whatever color is selected, the over -all color scheme and style (decor) of the bathroom should be considered.

5. Choose a Tile which will last

It is worth considering that not all tiles are the same when it comes to their lifespan.

Glazed tiles have a better ability to withstand water than unglazed tiles. The process of adding a glaze to the tile surface seals the tiles preventing water from penetrating the tile surface and stopping water absorption into the tile.

A Bathroom Floor Tile which suits and enhances your bathroom will be the result if you take the above tips into account before making your Bathroom Floor Tile purchase.

Looking to find the best deal on Bathroom Floor Tile, then visit www.yoursite.com to find the best advice on Bathroom Floor Tile for you.

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