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Houston Flooring Services - Tile Removal

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    • About Us
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      • Flooring Contractor in Houston, TX
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Flooring Contractors in Katy

Many homes and businesses choose hard flooring for their high-traffic areas because materials such as tile, wood, and stone can withstand years of heavy use. However, after some time, even these durable hard floors may start to look worn, dirty, or damaged. Whether regular cleanings are no longer doing the trick or you are looking for full flooring installation services, Cutting Edge Flooring Services is ready to professionally tackle your flooring needs. Learn more about the various flooring services we offer below.

Tile Removal and Installation

Tile is used for many different applications. From bathrooms, to kitchens, to business entryways, tile is versatile as it is stylish. However, chips, cracks, and lifting can occur with tile over time. Even if your tile stays free from unsightly blemishes, you may want to still replace it as styles or designs change and it becomes outdated. No matter your reasoning for removal or installation, Cutting Edge professionals are experts when it comes to all things tile. 

Our dust-free tile removal process is unlike many other removal processes out there. Alternative techniques can leave harmful silica dust in the air for you to inhale, which can lead to lung damage and cancer. Cutting Edge, instead, uses specialized equipment that catches the dust particles as the tile is removed, which protects you, your family, and your customers from messy and dangerous dust residue.

Not only is our tile removal process the safest around, but our professional technicians stand behind their work no matter what type of tile job they perform. Our experts are experienced with installation and removal of basic, stone, porcelain, ceramic, glass, marble, limestone, and many other types of tile. The masterful craftsmanship that our technicians employ will transform your space into something you are proud to show off, no matter if the tile job is in a kitchen, lobby, restaurant, or even your bathroom.

Hard Floors Cleaning and Maintenance

Tile

Does your tile look great but dirty grout is ruining the aesthetic? Whether your tile was installed by us or not, we can clean the grout and seal it for long-lasting beautiful tile in your home or office. Dirt and stains are no problem for our professional technicians. They come prepared with the tools necessary for a deep tile & grout cleaning to help restore your floors to their former glory.

Repair is also in our repertoire. Our experts will fill grout holes and cracks, as well as repair broken tiles, so your floors look like new again. Once your floors are repaired and clean, choose to finish the job with our top-of-the-line grout sealer to protect your shiny floors from future grime and dirt. 

Natural Stone

Have you got specialty stones like granite, slate, marble, limestone, or travertine? Cutting Edge professionals can also repair and clean these types of floors with upmost precision. Natural stone care is a delicate job, best left to expert professionals. Still, cleaning and repairing these floors can be a fraction of the cost of total replacement. If dull, cracked, scratched, or dirty stone floors are getting you down, call the experts at Cutting Edge today.

Concrete

Just like many other types of flooring, concrete must be cared for and maintained to keep it from looking like a dirty garage floor. Historically, concrete has been used as flooring for many industrial settings, but is now gaining popularity in office and residential spaces as well. Regular cleaning and maintenance from Cutting Edge can help extend the life of your concrete floor and protect its natural beauty.

Polishes and Coats

A deep clean followed by applying a layer of protective coating can help enhance both new and old floors alike. Polishes and coats can be especially necessary for keeping soft and porous materials safe from extreme wear. Dull or worn concrete can instantly be transformed to shiny and new with the help of concrete polishing. Polishes not only help freshen the look of your space, but they can also help reduce allergens and prevent mold growth as well. 

Protective coatings are essential for high-traffic areas inside buildings and residences. There are a variety of coating options to choose from, so you should be able to find one to match the overall design and style of your space for seamless integration. Cutting Edge experts can help you choose between high-gloss, epoxy, quartz, textured, and terrazzo for your concrete floors. 

Coatings aren’t just used for concrete. You can also choose to coat your tile for a more durable and more easily maintained surface. Coatings can create a smoother surface, which can help with cleaning, without sacrificing usability. Certain coatings will maintain slip-resistance, so they can be applied in hospitals, gyms, nursing homes, and even schools. 

Our high-quality coating solutions won’t trap dirt or turn yellow over time. Protect your floors, maintain durability, and provide simpler maintenance for your floors with a floor coating from Cutting Edge. Call us for a quote today.

Hard Wood Flooring Installation

Hard wood floors are a timeless flooring solution in both residential and corporate offices. Because of their durability, they tend to last a long time. However, hard wood floors are just as prone to wearing and damage like any other type of flooring. When you need to repair, remove, or install hard wood floors in your home or business, call the experts at Cutting Edge. 

Our trained professionals begin each flooring job with the right tools and end each job standing behind the work they have accomplished. Preparation, installation, and thorough cleanup are always guaranteed when you call Cutting Edge Flooring Solutions. Flooring installation can be messy, time consuming, and disruptive. Reduce the headache for yourself and leave more time for enjoying your new floors when you contact us for your next flooring job.

If you have a unique flooring situation that hasn’t been discussed above, call us to see what we can do for you. With decades worth of experience, there is not a whole lot we haven’t seen or worked on when it comes to flooring. For flooring done right, call the experts at Cutting Edge today.

Filed Under: Blog

Five Things to Think About Before Coating Your Garage Floor

The garage is not simply an unimportant annex on your Houston property. In fact, it is an important room in your home. For many, it is the place where they keep their antique vehicles, or where they invite their friends over to watch the game and play a round of pool. Perhaps you are tired of tripping over hazardous cracks in your concrete or you simply want to spruce up the garage so that it is a beautiful space that flows into the rest of the home. The best way to accomplish these goals is to consider coating the garage floor.

Regardless of your reasons for coating the floor, you will have to spend some time making decisions about the type of coating that you need. There are different materials to choose from, namely epoxy and polyaspartic, and each one is used for different situations. Here are the top five things to consider before diving into the process of coating your garage floor.

Price

If price by itself were the only consideration, the decision might, perhaps, be an easy one. However, the discussion can become a little more complicated when you start taking into consideration the lifespan of the product, its durability, and maintenance.

When comparing the face-value affordability of epoxy coatings and polyaspartic coatings, epoxy will win every time. It is up to three times cheaper than polyaspartic coatings. However, for most, this should not be the only consideration. Epoxy may be more susceptible to certain environmental factors that may or may not be present in your unique situation. Therefore, it is a good idea to do a little more research to find out if the money saved now will still pay off later. However, in many situations, epoxy is still a reliable choice.

Environmental Factors

There are certain environmental factors that may help to determine which surface coating is the best for your garage. Homeowners who live in climates with extreme temperatures may be limited as to when epoxy flooring can be installed. Many epoxy coatings cannot be applied when it is too hot or too cold. Polyaspartic coatings, however, can be applied in a much greater variety of temperatures. This may be a consideration for Houston residents, as temperatures can become very hot in the summer.

Houston can also be extremely humid. High levels of moisture are not always ideal for epoxy floors as the moisture pushing on it from underneath can cause damage over time. However, epoxy is much more slip-resistant. Polyaspartic coatings can be very slippery when wet and may need the extra expense of slip-resistant aggregate in order to make it safe.

Time Constraints and Safety Considerations

When it comes to both time constraints and safety considerations, polyaspartics may be a better choice. Polyaspartic coatings can be installed in one day and have a rapid cure time. This means that a coating can be applied without too much disturbance which can be very important for high traffic areas. They are also very low odor and do not produce harmful gasses.

Epoxy, on the other hand, can take up to a month to properly cure, and the installation process itself may take several days. In addition, although many of the formulas have been improved to help alleviate this problem, epoxy releases off-gassing which can be harmful if proper equipment is not used.

Wear and Tear

Bothy epoxy coatings and polyaspartic coatings are considered to be extremely strong, durable, and stain-resistant. When it comes to choosing between the two, there are very small differences. Epoxy is less resistant to UV exposure and may fade over time when exposed to UV light. It is also slightly more susceptible to abrasion damage. However, it is resistant to oil, gas, battery acid, and cleaning products making it a great option for garages.

Polyaspartic coatings are resistant to many things such as UV damage, oils, and cleaning supplies. However, it is not a good option for areas with frequent battery acid spills as these can cause erosions in polyaspartic coatings. Polyaspartic coatings have more flexibility as well as more resistance to abrasion.

Maintenance

Floors that have been treated with epoxy and polyaspartic coatings are very easy to maintain. However, epoxy floors can be sensitive to harsh chemicals and harsh scrubbing, and they will need to be kept clear of dirt and other abrasive substances. Polyaspartic flooring can also be sensitive to certain cleaners, and other cleaners may leave a film on the surface of the coating which can be unattractive or slippery. It is best to spot test cleaners and to only use harsh cleaners when there is a big spill.

Final Thoughts

Once you have decided on a material, it is important to give thought to a few final considerations before moving forward. First, it is important to examine your existing floor to see if there are any signs of damage or remnants of previous concrete coatings before proceeding. Damaged floors will need to be repaired before a new coating is applied, and previous coatings will need to be removed. The surface will then need to be thoroughly prepared, making sure that it is free from dirt, oil, and other stains.

Second, it is important to research the installation process for your project and to choose a professional in Houston who does a quality job, maintains great communication at all times, is always on time, sticks to the project schedule, and has transparent fees. Having professionals that you can trust is one of the most important aspects of a successful project.

Both epoxy and polyaspartic coatings can be great choices for your garage floor. However, it is a good idea to think through your options and to choose the one that is best for your climate, home, and budget.

Cutting Edge Flooring Services is a professional maintenance and installation company located in Houston, Texas. We are dedicated to providing our customers with products that show beautiful craftsmanship, while always offering affordable pricing. Contact our office today for a free estimate on your project.

Filed Under: Blog

Dust-Free Tile Removal Services Can Help Avoid a Big Mess

Most homeowners remove their tiles for replacement or repair. Cracked and broken tiles are dangerous, while stained and old tiles simply need to be upgraded. Tile removal is tough to do as a DIY project; without the right skills and tools, you’ll put yourself at risk of serious injury. To get your home’s tile work removed correctly and safely, you need a professional tile removal service in Houston. Look at Cutting Edge Flooring Services to do the dust-free removal job right the first time.

Dust-Free Removal: What Is It?

Dust-free or dustless removal is a way of removing floor tiles while reducing the number of dangerous particulates that get into the air. When tile stripping tools are equipped with special vacuum attachments, it’s possible.

The dustless method protects workers, homeowners, pets, children, and the surrounding area from harmful dust particles. One such particle is known as crystalline silica, which is a known health hazard and has been labeled as a carcinogen.

Procedures and Methods

Dust-free tiling removal requires the use of special tools that chisel and grind away the tile and thinset mortar layers. At the same time, vacuum attachments gather up the dust that’s a natural product of the removal process. With this innovative method, it’s easier to maintain a normal routine while work is ongoing.

Who Sees the Biggest Benefits From Dustless Tile Flooring Removal?

Though everyone can realize the advantages of dust-free tiling removal, we’ve noticed that certain clients are more likely to request the service. For instance, residential customers often choose dust-free removal because they have children or other family members with allergies, asthma, and other breathing troubles. Homeowners are more likely to pay for this service when protecting interior surfaces is a top priority.

Commercial clients in the restaurant and healthcare settings choose the dust-free method for cleanliness and sanitation reasons. We sometimes work with contractors, including remodelers, interior designers, and construction companies. Businesses that value a dust-free setting include:

  • Assisted living facilities and retirement homes
  • Nursing homes, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities
  • Restaurants
  • Daycare centers, schools, and churches

We even work with property managers on commercial and residential enterprises, such as resorts, convention centers, apartment complexes, and much more. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your next tile job.

Let Us Do the Dirty Work For You

Cutting Edge Flooring Services has the equipment, skills, and experience to do the job right from the beginning. When you trust us with your tile work, you’ll avoid collateral damage, accidents, injuries, and job delays. Our dust-free method eliminates the creation and spread of harmful dust, making the entire environment safer.

Conventional hammer-and-chisel methods aren’t just rough on your flooring, but they also generate a great deal of debris and dust. With our unique, safe process, your home or business stays healthier and you’ll experience the benefits explained in the sections below.

It’s Many cleaners

Dust-free flooring removal is cleaner for a range of reasons. Firstly, the removal machines are designed to capture dust at the source and prevent it from becoming airborne. The vacuum method prevents dangerous dust particles from covering furniture and getting into occupants’ lungs. Not only does the dust-free method leave the entire building clean, but it also leaves the subsurface ready for the installation of new flooring. It’s just an all-around better process!

The Process is More Efficient

Traditional tile stripping methods are quite time-consuming. First, you’ll have to cover furniture and other items to protect them from dust. Then, you’ll need to remove the tile and the thinset mortar, creating a great deal of dust in the process. With a dust-free tile flooring removal service in Houston, the machines remove the tile and take away the dust at the same time. No drop cloths or in-depth clean-ups are required.

The Job Gets Done Sooner

Our certified contractors use proprietary processes to deliver the highest-quality service in the shortest length of time. From the initial estimate to the project’s completion, we’ll make the process as effortless as possible for home and business owners. All projects are pre-planned so our removal teams can begin work immediately. With our help, it’s possible to strip tile in a timely fashion.

Dust-Free Tile Removals Are Better For Your Family’s Health

The dust-free method is much safer than conventional strategies. The ingestion of grout and tile dust particles is hazardous to your health, and those with allergies and other respiratory conditions can be adversely affected. Tile dust is so fine that it even gets into a building’s HVAC system and spreads into every room. With dustless tile stripping, the dust is captured at its source and these risks are eliminated.

Special Tools

The equipment and tools we use work smoother and faster than those used in conventional settings. For example, our high-speed chisels allow us to make precise cuts without sending debris flying into the room. We’ll also use commercial-grade HEPA filtration systems to ensure that dust clouds aren’t formed. With our advanced technology and tools, we’ll get the job done quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, safely.

The DustRam Difference

Dust-control methods are a relatively new advancement in the flooring industry, and Cutting Edge Flooring Services is one of the Houston area’s leading providers thanks in part to DustRam. This system is designed to capture dust at every stage in the process. DustRam equipment, when combined with high-powered, high-performance vacuum attachments, will gather dust before it has a chance to become airborne. We’re honored to be the sole DustRam Certified company in the Houston area. Call us today to see the difference that DustRam technology makes.

Get In Touch With Us Today

Our specialized, proprietary systems and advanced tools provide a safer and better way to remove floor tiles. These tools and methods work on all sorts of tile, whether it’s made of ceramic, stone, or marble. If you’re interested in removing floor tiles and starting fresh, we invite you to call us for a no-obligation inspection and estimate. We look forward to serving you.

Filed Under: Blog

How to Upgrade Your Concrete Floors with Concrete Coating

Concrete floors in the past were often gray and boring. They did nothing to add to the ambiance of the room. However, with the help of concrete coatings in Houston, TX, any property owner can have a floor they love that truly provides the atmosphere they desire for their home or business.

This is only one of the benefits of choosing concrete coating services. With a coating installed on the floor, it becomes much easier to maintain. Slips and falls are likewise reduced when a person chooses this option.

The coating helps to ensure it can hold up even under the most strenuous conditions. As a result, the floor lasts longer and the property owner saves money. What should a property owner know when determining if this is the right option for their needs?

Why Coat a Concrete Floor?

The first question a person might have is why they should choose concrete floor coatings over the many decorative finish options available. What a person must understand is concrete slabs aren’t indestructible. Concrete is porous and will break down over time, especially when exposed to chemicals or significant traffic.

Coating the floor helps to protect the floor from wear and chemical spills. Furthermore, it improves the appearance of the slab while offering the additional benefits mentioned above. With the help of concrete coating, a floor can be restored in a short time period.

Coating Options

Several coating systems are offered today. To determine which system should be used for a particular project, the surface conditions of the concrete must be known. Furthermore, the coating provider needs to determine how much traffic the floor is exposed to regularly. This information is of importance when deciding which system will provide the desired benefits.

Self-Leveling Overlay Systems

Floors that are uneven benefit from a self-leveling overlay concrete coating system. This system may also be used to repair any concrete that is damaged or to offer a smooth, sturdy foundation for decorative treatments. No troweling is required when these polymer-modified products are used, making them the ideal choice for these situations.

When the goal is to install a new finish, sprayable concrete floor coatings are typically employed. They are easy to apply with the help of an air-powered hopper gun and are suitable for interior floors that receive a great deal of traffic. Nevertheless, they may also be used for concrete patios and pool decks where a textured, slip-resistant surface is needed.

When a design is to be multi-colored or a floor needs to be resistant to chemicals, consider an epoxy coating. These coatings are often colored with aggregates or pigmented to provide the desired design. In addition to being chemical resistant, a floor of this type is more flexible than those with a concrete-based system and offers great compressive strengths.

Business owners frequently choose polishable concrete overlays for their establishment. Not only are they beautiful with their high-gloss finish, but they are very easy to maintain. Consider this option if you have problem floors, as the surface when restored is perfectly smooth and seam-free.

Among the oldest decorative flooring systems, cement-based terrazzo floors are also among the most durable. Small pieces of granite or marble are embedded in the mortar before it is applied. The mortar than cures before being ground and polished until all that remains is a glossy, even layer.

High traffic areas and industrial floors, as well as residential concrete floors, often benefit from the installation of a quartz flooring system. Seamless floors of this type consist of quartz aggregate, 100% solids epoxy and a urethane topcoat that is resistant to chemical and wear. The process required for this type of concrete coating is somewhat more complicated, however.

First, a single broadcast quart floor must be prepped and primed using a penetrating primer coat. Once this has been done, a binder resin is applied and quartz sand will be hand broadcast into this resin. The next step is to broadcast a single layer of colored quartz aggregate into the epoxy coating.

The resin and quartz material must cure before the process can move forward. When they do, the clear topcoat is applied. The topcoat ensures the floor is durable and will last an extended period of time.

In certain situations, a double-broadcast quartz epoxy floor is desired. When this is the case, a second layer of the binder and quartz aggregate will be put down before the topcoat is applied. With either option, the finished product will be seamless, durable, slip-resistant, and easy to clean and maintain.

Another option to consider is polyaspartic coatings. These polymer coating materials are known for their short cure times as well as their ability to be installed in a wide range of temperatures. Nevertheless, these are only two of the many benefits associated with this coating system.

These coatings are UV stable and offer UV protection to any underlying surfaces and coatings. Additionally, they are very resistant to chemicals and abrasion. They are able to protect the concrete from both foot and wheeled traffic, chemicals, and spills, which of great importance when one is investing in their home or business.

Residential garage floor coatings are often polyaspartic coatings. In addition, these systems are frequently found in medical facilities, supermarkets, automotive garages, fast-food establishments, warehouses, and more. They are ideal for any situation in which a concrete slab must withstand heavy use.

Consider the different options available to determine which best meets your specific needs. If help is needed in this area, a reputable concrete coating provider can be of assistance. Cutting Edge Flooring Services is a preferred provider of property owners throughout the Houston area.

Concrete coatings are only one of the many services offered by our company that might be of benefit to property owners. Be sure to also ask about concrete densifying, polishing, sealing, staining, and more. The more you know about the services offered the easier it becomes to determine which are needed to allow you to achieve the goals you have with regard to the floor.

Filed Under: Blog

Ultimate Tile Floor Cleaning Guide

ULTIMATE Tile Floor Cleaning Guide

Table of Contents

  • The Basics
  • Tools
  • Glazed VS Unglazed
  • Before Washing
  • Choosing a Cleaner
  • Avoiding Soap Residue
  • Cleaning Tips for Specific Types

Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile flooring last longer than any other flooring material, and they can keep looking like new when cared for properly.

Floors made with resilient tile flooring can also stand up to years of use and still look great when cleaned with the right cleaning products.

Tile floor care doesn’t have to be hard, and it works best when you build it into a regular cleaning schedule and keep up with it. Neglecting tile floor cleaning is a sure way to wind up with a dull, streaked or scratched tile floor that no longer has the visual appeal it had when it was new.

Basics of Tile Floor Cleaning

Regularly sweeping up loose debris from the surface.

Washing the tile with the right kind of mop and cleaner every one to two weeks, depending on the location.

Drying the floor after you mop.

Additionally, on some types of tile, applying a coat of wax or sealant over the newly cleaned floor a few times a year is the best way of keeping a shine and protecting the tiles from stains. A few flooring types also benefit from buffing or waxing.

Tile floors come in a wide variety of materials. Floor tiles for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways are made from fired ceramic clay, porcelain, natural stone like granite, slate, and marble as well as linoleum, cork, rubber, and vinyl.

Choose a cleaning product made for the specific type of tile flooring material you have, or you may damage the surface of the flooring by using the wrong cleaner.

Tile Floor Cleaning Tools

A few basic tools make tile floor cleaning faster and less work for you, and using the right tools and products makes it easier to keep up with this task and keep your floors looking their finest. Besides having the right cleaning product for the tile, tools to have on hand are:
Tile Cleaning Broom

Soft Broom or Vacuum

A soft broom and a dustpan or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush-cleaning head and a hose with a narrow nozzle for getting into tight spots and corners.
Tile Cleaning Mop

Mop

The right mop. Invest in a mop with a chamois or microfiber mop head or a use a regular string mop. Avoid mopping with a sponge mop because these leave streaks and can concentrate dirt in grout lines.
Tile Cleaning Bucket

Wringer-type Mop Bucket

A wringer-type mop bucket. Mop buckets with wringer mechanisms make it faster and easier to wring out extra moisture from the mop head – something that is important for getting the floor clean and streak-free.
Tile Cleaning Rags

Soft Rags

Soft rags for drying the floor. Drying the floor and wiping up excess water is a crucial step in keeping tile floors looking their best.
Whisk Broom Tile Cleaning

Whisk Broom

A whisk broom also comes in handy for cleaning up small amounts of dirt, sweeping up a broken cup or dish, and getting into tight corner areas.
Steam Mop Tile Cleaning

Steam Mops

Steam mops work well on ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile floors but should not be used on resilient flooring materials like vinyl.

Unglazed vs Glazed Tile Cleaning

Tile Installers Houston
polished travertine floor

An important consideration in choosing a cleaning product for a tile floor is whether the tile is glazed or un-glazed or whether the tiles have a finish coat such as a polyurethane coating often used on cork floor tiles.

Glazed clay tiles are usually easy to recognize because they have a characteristic glossy surface which is a form of glass created on the tile surface when it is fired in a kiln. Porcelain tiles are glazed and are made with a finer texture of clay, which is more impervious to staining than ceramic clay tiles.

Glazed tiles have a harder surface and are naturally shiny, but it is essential to use cleaning products and tools that do not scratch or mar the glazing, causing the tiles to lose their sheen.

Un-glazed tiles have a less shiny surface, and this makes them more slip-resistant. Because un-glazed tiles are more porous, they need to be washed more frequently than glazed tiles to keep them looking their best. Check the labels on cleaning products to see if they can be used on glazed, un-glazed, or polyurethane coated tile.

Before you wash...

Sweeping and Vacuuming Tile Floors

The first step in cleaning tile floors is picking up all loose debris on the floor. Do this at least weekly, but any time you see a build-up of dirt, sand, or other loose material, use a broom or vacuum to clean it up to avoid damage to the tile surface.

Some debris, such as dirt and sand, have sharp edges which can scratch the glaze finish on the tile as people walk on it. Picking up this type of debris whenever you notice it prevents damage or dulling of the surface of the tile and helps keep it shiny.

A vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle cleaning head is an easy way of keeping loose dirt off the surface of a tile floor to prevent scratching and dulling of the finish. Use a narrow nozzle attachment on a hose to get in beside appliances, around table legs, and under counter ledges.

If you use a broom, choose one with soft bristles or a microfiber pad to avoid dulling the finish on the tile.

Tile Cleaning Broom
Spray Household Surface Shine Polish

Using the Right Tile Floor Cleaner

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the easiest to keep clean and the most rugged when it comes to cleaners. Their surfaces are dense and non-porous, making it harder for dirt, grime, stains, or cleaning chemicals to penetrate and discolor the tile. On these floors, you can use a mild detergent cleaner or a mixture of white vinegar or lemon juice and warm water.

If you find stains on ceramic or porcelain tiles, look for a tile stain remover specially formulated for the type of stain you are removing.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are tough enough to stand up to acidic cleaning agents but don’t use acid cleaners on stone tiles like slate, granite, or marble. Avoid using vinegar, lemon juice, or any other cleaning agent with a low pH level on natural stone floors.

Instead, clean stone tile floors with mild detergent with a neutral pH level, a steam cleaner, or a cleaning product designed for the specific type of stone you have installed.

Steam mops are electrical or cordless cleaning tools which use hot steam to clean and sanitize floor surfaces. You can use a steam mop on ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile floors, but do not use a steam mop for resilient flooring coverings like linoleum, vinyl, and cork.

How do I avoid soap residue on tile floors?

Dry tile floors with clean, soft rags to avoid residues after cleaning

If you use detergent or another soap cleaner on tile flooring, you may end up with a dull and hazy finish unless you rinse the floor afterward with plain, warm water or use a steam mop.

When mopping by hand, whether you use plain water or a cleaning product, refresh the mop water several times while you go over the floor, so you aren’t just sloshing around dirty water.

Depending on how dirty the floor is, you may not need to use soap every time you mop. Mopping with plain warm water, or water with a splash of vinegar on ceramic and porcelain floors is all that might be needed on some cleaning days.

Once you have mopped the floor, whether you have used a detergent, another cleaner, or plain water, dry the floor with clean, soft rags to avoid a residue and keep it shiny. Old kitchen and bath towels, cut into approximately 2 foot (.6 meter) squares, work well for drying a tile floor.

Avoid hurting your back and knees by drying the floor using your foot to push the rag around, or use a dry sponge mop to move the cloth over the floor.

Cleaning Tips for Specific Tile Floor Types

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles:

Use a mildly acidic cleaner such as half a cup of white vinegar per gallon of water, mild detergent, or a cleaning product made for ceramic or porcelain tile. Keep the cleaning water fresh while mopping, and rinse the tiles with plain, warm water to prevent an after-mopping haze. Dry the floor after mopping.

Granite Floor Tiles:

Use a mild, neutral pH detergent or a cleaner formulated for granite, followed by a mechanical buffer for the highest polish.

Slate Tiles:

Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar, and dry the floor promptly after washing to avoid water spots, especially if the tile is coated with a sealer.

Marble Tiles:

Marble tile has a luxurious look, but it is also softer and more porous than other stone, making it susceptible to staining and other damage. Be especially careful about the cleaning liquid you use on marble tile floors. Marble scratches easily, so avoid stiff bristle brushes or abrasive cleaning agents.

Resilient Tile:

Resilient tile flooring includes vinyl, linoleum, hard rubber, and cork tiles. Because these materials are far softer than ceramic, porcelain, or stone, never use scouring powders or stiff scrub brushes for cleaning resilient flooring tiles.
Borax containing cleaners work well on linoleum, and you can also buy special linoleum floor cleaning products. Linoleum also takes a high-shine when buffed a few times a year after a coat of wax. You can use liquid or paste wax on linoleum floor tiles.

The Benefits of Tile Floor Care

Tile floors are durable, attractive, and relatively easy to easy to maintain. They keep adding beauty and value to your home and will keep on shining for decades with a little regular care and the right tools and cleaning products.

Want tiling flooring?

Our tile flooring installers are ready to discuss your needs and answer any questions you may have.

Call (281) 746-9409 or

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Filed Under: Articles, Blog

What Is the Best Solution for Cleaning Interior Stained Concrete Floors?

As much as we’d like it, no flooring is maintenance-free, and decorative concrete is no exception. Concrete floors are easy to maintain in comparison with other flooring types, particularly carpet, but they do need some attention. The level of maintenance and concrete cleaning a floor requires will depend mostly on the way it’s used and the traffic it gets. Concrete floors have no grout lines or joints to trap dirt, and they’re abrasion-, water-, and stain-resistant when they’re properly sealed. A damp mop is all that’s needed for cleaning, and concrete will last almost indefinitely if the sealer is periodically reapplied.

Products to Use When Cleaning Concrete Floors

A pH-neutral cleaner is best for cleaning stained concrete floors. Ask the sealer manufacturer or your floor installer to suggest their favorite solutions. Don’t use harsh cleaners such as bleach, ammonia, citrus, pine cleaners, or vinegar because they may react negatively with the floor, etching its surface. Microfiber pads are suggested for damp and dry mopping. In commercial areas with heavy traffic, a swing buffer or an auto scrubber may be used.

Tips for Concrete Floor Cleaning

Whether you’re a commercial or residential building owner, you’ll love how easy it is to clean concrete floors. Start with a daily dry-mopping to remove debris and dirt, using a damp mop and a pH-neutral cleaner when needed. Clean up spills as soon as possible to prevent surface stains.

Making Concrete Flooring Simpler to Maintain

When installing and designing a concrete floor, remember that saw-cut patterning creates surface lines that may trap debris and dirt. In highly trafficked areas like foyers and entryways, reduce wear and maintenance by using area rugs and floor mats. An outdoor floor mat will also reduce the amount of debris that’s brought in. Finally, be sure to follow the contractor’s recommended sealing and concrete cleaning services schedule to keep the floor looking its very best.

Caring for Stained Concrete Flooring

In most instances, home concrete flooring experiences relatively low foot traffic and these cleaning tips will help keep them looking great for years to come. Dry or damp mop the floors regularly to minimize abrasion, dirt, and grime. For the occasional deep cleaning, use a pH-neutral cleaner and water with a damp, clean mop. Protect the floor with a quality sealer and a coat of floor finish or wax. Reapply every few years or as required. Commercial flooring can use the same basic care regimen, but these floors may need more frequent sealer and/or wax applications because of higher foot traffic levels.

Sealers

A stained concrete floor should be protected with a high-quality sealer to make it resistant to dirt, stains, abrasion, and water intrusion. This protective layer will not only prolong the floor’s lifespan, but it will also enhance its color and increase its sheen. Water-based sealants are usually suggested for indoor floors because they contain no toxic fumes. Your floor installer can recommend the right sealer for any application.

Waxes

For additional protection from abrasion, dirt, and stains, many floor installers suggest using a quality floor wax that’s specifically formulated for concrete floors. The wax should be applied on top of the sealer; it preserves the sealer by absorbing impacts, wear, and tear. Wax makes it easier to buff out slight wear patterns and scratches, and its reapplication process is easier than that of floor sealer. These qualities have led wax coatings to be known as sacrificial protective layers.

Maintaining Polished Concrete Flooring

Because of the polishing and densification processes, polished concrete flooring is very durable. These floors are usually simpler to maintain than other decorative flooring types because they need no wax or sealer. With a basic cleaning regimen, polished concrete floors will stay shiny for years. Use a dry dust mop to remove daily grit and dirt, and occasionally use a damp mop and a specially designed cleaner for polished concrete.

Such cleansers not only clean the floor’s surface, but they also leave a dirt-resistant coating. What’s more, they’re easy to apply and require no buffing. If a polished concrete floor starts to lose its luster, a light buffing with a polishing compound will usually help. If deeper touch-ups are required, floors may be re-polished with a mild abrasive.

Cleaning Non-Polished Concrete

If a concrete floor hasn’t yet been treated with a stain, polish, or another decorative finish, it still needs routine care. Like decorative concrete, the amount and type of maintenance will depend on the foot traffic, wear, and tear to which the floor is exposed. When cleaning a plain concrete floor, consider your reasons for cleaning it. For instance, is it part of a routine maintenance plan, or are you preparing for the application of a decorative finish?

For everyday maintenance, simply clean the floor’s surface of debris and dust with a hose, a blower, or a broom. Use water and a soft brush to remove any surface stains; if that doesn’t work, use a stronger soap or even ammonia. For the most stubborn stains, degreasers or chemicals may be required. These are only for use on unfinished concrete, not polished or finished floors. For garage floors and exterior surfaces, power washers may be used. Avoid the use of muriatic acid if you plan to stain the floor at any time afterward. After a good cleaning, a coat of sealer will make the next clean-up go much faster.

Though some think they’re just for garages and industrial settings, concrete floors can be made decorative enough for use anywhere in the home or office. Whether you have finished, unfinished, or decoratively cut concrete floors, it’s important to maintain them properly by using the right tools, supplies, and methods. Though we’ve given some easy tips in this guide, some jobs are better left to the professionals. If you’re looking for help, advice, recommendations, and the best concrete floor cleaning services in Houston, we’re here to help. Visit us online for more details or call today to schedule an appointment.

Filed Under: Blog

Five Reasons Why It May Be Time to Replace Your Tiling

Whether you moved into a house with tile flooring or you feel it’s time to remove the tile flooring you had installed yourself, do not wait any longer to get it done. While tile flooring can last for decades when properly taken care of, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t make a change with new flooring. Replacing tiling can offer a lot of benefits. Here are five reasons why you might want to replace your tiling.

1. It’s Broken

While tile flooring can stand up to a lot of abuse, sometimes it can chip or crack. This can be a result of something extremely heavy or sharp falling onto it. It may even have been cracked during the installation process. Even something like the gradual shifting of the house can sometimes exert enough pressure for the tile to start cracking.

In this event, tile replacement is absolutely necessary. Chipped or broken tile can actually be a health hazard. You might step on the sharp corner and cut yourself. Or worse, your child might start playing with the broken pieces or even attempt to put it in their mouth. The same goes for pets. In a desire to chew everything in the house, they might think the broken pieces of tile are their new chew toys. To keep the kitchen, or other rooms, safe, replacing broken tile is a no-brainer. Whether it’s cracked or chipped entirely, your room will look a lot better with smooth and undamaged tile flooring.

2. The Grout Is Nasty

Grout is a necessary part of tile installation. While it can also look quite nice next to stone tile or other kinds of tile, it is possible for the grout to start to look a little worse for wear over time. Grout can collect dirt, dust, stains, and other unpleasant blemishes as time goes on. It isn’t always easy to clean either.

For one, you have to use the right kind of cleaner. Second, you need the proper equipment to get into the tight spots of the grout. For many homeowners, this is just a bit too much work than they would enjoy. Because of that, few actually end up cleaning their tile floors well enough to reach the grout. That means a lot of bacteria and other possible contaminants are just resting on your floor.

If you’ve noticed that the grout on your flooring is looking worn down, then it might be time to replace your tiles. Installers can redo the grout or clean it up to make it sanitized and looking great. With freshly cleaned grout, your new tiles will look even better against it.

3. New Aesthetic Choices

One of the reasons many people choose ceramic tiling is because it looks great. Working with natural stone, in particular, can make flooring practically timeless. That being said, tile can sometimes go through flooring trends as well. If you want to sell your home, then you need to make sure that the tile in your home matches with the latest interior design trends.

If it doesn’t, you might not make as much of an impact on your potential buyers as you would hope. Old tile can actually turn a lot of people off from buying the home. This is especially true if it looks old or dirty. They won’t want to replace the tile themselves, so you should just get it done before you start showing the house.

Even if you’re not moving, it doesn’t hurt to have your home brought up to par in the latest trends for interior design. You’ll have a place that you’re proud to come home to every night and show off to friends. Tile can sometimes be a bragging point. Old tile can often just be an embarrassment.

4. Sanitary

Another reason to replace your old tile is due to sanitary reasons. Much like carpet, you don’t want to keep the same carpet in your house for longer than a decade. Even if you regularly wash and sanitize your tiles, there’s always going to be some lingering germs and contaminants on it. This is especially true if the tile is in a high-traffic area like the kitchen or bathroom.

The best way to refresh the home and keep it sanitary is to replace flooring over time. With brand new tiles on the floor, you can step on it with your bare feet and be confident that it’s far more sanitary than the old ones you had. You’ll likely also find that the new tiles are brighter than the old ones. This is because older tiles tend to absorb dirt and germs over time. It can make their surface muddy or dirty looking. New tiles are fresh out of the box and look great.

5. Check On Subfloor

One of the added benefits of doing any flooring work is that it also allows you to inspect the sub-floor. It isn’t uncommon for sub-floors to need a bit of maintenance over time. With so much pressure being exerted on it daily, it’s no surprise that they might start to sink or break in certain areas. Water damage can also cause a lot of problems.

You won’t know of those problems if you never do any flooring work. Replacing your tiles can offer you a chance to see how the sub-floors of the home are holding up. Perhaps you’ve noticed that a certain tile seems to sink into the floor more than others. The sub-floor may be to blame for this.

After you remove the tile, you might find that the sub-floor is broken or the wood is rotting away. You can quickly and easily repair the subfloor and then place a brand new tile over it to complete the project. The tile will be held in alignment with the others. You’ll be assured that the sub-floor is reinforced and holding up to the strain. Replacing tiles can be a great reason for inspections.

Filed Under: Blog

Seven Tips to Help Keep Your Floor Tiles Clean

When you are working hard to deep clean your home, do not forget that the kitchen and bathrooms need special attention if they have tile floors. If you have children, the summer months are usually more troubling because the kids are out of school, so they are constantly tracking dirt in through the entire house. To make sure everything gets cleaned to your satisfaction, below is a list of seven tips to keep your tile floors clean.

There are people out there who specialize in cleaning homes when it becomes too much of a burden for you to handle. However, it is possible to cut down on the amount of help you need from professionals by keeping up with your floors on your own. Ask the rest of your family to pitch in around the house. If everyone in the home does their part to keep the home clean, it will cut out a lot of the time and even stress that you feel when cleaning your house.

Tidy Tile Tip #1: Designated Shoe Station

Having a designated shoe depository station helps alert family members and incoming guests of your intention to keep dirty shoes off of the floor. Having a rule that shoes are not to be worn indoors will help keep your tile floors clean. You might have to work extra hard to keep young children from wearing their shoes inside. One tip you should try to get your young children to remember to take off their shoes involves adding another item to your shoe removal station. Instead of relying on a simple floor mat to remind your children and guests to take off their shoes, try adding a bin for shoes. You might also try adding a small bench or chair near the shoe removal station to assist young children who are learning to tie their shoes. This could also be a nice resting place for elderly members of the family, and you just might enjoy pausing to sit for a moment as well.

Tidy Tile Tip #2: New Floor Mat

There is no getting around the fact that every home needs a mat outside the main door. The tile floor stays cleaner when you put a mat outside for people to wipe the soles of their shoes off before entering your home. It is a good idea to place a mat outside of each entryway. If you buy a fun, attractive floor mat, it might help the younger ones remember to wipe their shoes off to keep the floors in your home clean upon entering. In addition to using a floor mat as a way for people to wipe their shoes, you should try adding a boot brush for the people who arrive with mud on their shoes.

Tidy Tile Tip #3: Give Chores to Children

Children are the future, and there’s no better way to give a child a good head start in life than to teach them how to clean the house, especially the floor. Cleaning helps children establish a level of respect for their home and for their environment. Try offering an allowance or another reward as an extra incentive for your children to work towards cleaning the floor with you.

Tidy Tile Tip #4: Routinely Clean and Wax

Make sure you sweep the floors well before applying any wax to the smooth surfaces. The floors will be quite slippery after they are waxed, so make sure everyone in the household knows that before they slip and fall. Keeping them shining with a glossy coat of wax might also help send a reminder to everyone that you intend to keep the tile floors looking spectacular.

Tidy Tile Tip #5: Add Carpets to Create Pathways

No matter how big your home is, there are some pathways that people walk along consistently more often throughout the day. Take note of which pathways are used most frequently before placing carpets along those areas. Carpets will help cut down on the amount of wear your floor receives throughout the year.

You might need to invest in a steam cleaner, or you might need to hire someone to come out to clean your carpet occasionally. However, the alternative to steam cleaning your carpets is to purchase small carpets called runners. The runners are particularly useful if you place them along hallways where the pathway is clearly defined. This trick will help eliminate the need for frequent grout cleaning. However, you likely do not want to cover all of your tile with carpeting, so you will still need to have the natural tile cleaned by a professional once each season.

Tidy Tile Tip #6: Furniture Has Feet Too!

By now you have learned plenty of ways to cut down on the amount of damage that can be done to tile floors. However, shoes aren’t the only cause for alarm. If you are tired of cleaning tile floors constantly, you should invest in padding to put under the feet of all of your furniture. Moving furniture across the floor may leave behind scratch marks on the tile that only a professional will be able to buff away.

Tidy Tile Tip #7: Hire a Professional Flooring Company

There is only so much that you can do to keep everything clean on your own. Even if your family has been dedicated to your cause, you must bring in a professional at some point. Don’t forget, a professional’s touch is worth the expense. Not only do they have special tools and equipment to really make your floor shine, but they also have years of experience and knowledge that you may not have yourself. Calling in the professionals to do the dirty work is also beneficial for the fact that you can dedicate your time to other projects without worrying about how your floors will get cleaned. It truly is worth the expense to hire experienced flooring experts to give your floors the needed cleaning.

Filed Under: Blog

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