410.381.6697 (Baltimore Area)    301.384.6608 (Washington Area) Home | About Us | Resources | Free Estimate | Survey

FloorGem Maryland Flooring Resource Center

Tips
Articles
Photos
Testimonials
Links
Videos

close

Flooring Tips

coming soon

close
close

Articles


close
close

Photo Galleries

Ceramic Marble Floor
Ceramic Marble Floor
Floor Care
Floor Care
Remodeling
Remodeling
Vinyl Floor
Vinyl Floor
Wood Floor
Wood Floor
close
close

Read Customer Testimonials

Read what our customers are saying

Submit Your Testimonial

* First Name:
* Last Name:
City:
State:
* Subject:
* Message:
 
close
close

Videos


  • Installing Ceramic Tiles Video

  • Ceramic Floor Cleaning Video

  • Wood Floor Cleaning and
    Restoration Video

  • Carpet Cleaning Video

  • Hard Surface Tile and
    Grout Cleaning Video

  • Viny Floor Cleaning Video

  • Marble Restoration Part 1 Video

  • Marble Restoration Part 2 Video

  • Marble Restoration Part 3 Video

  • Marble Restoration Part 4 Video


close

How to Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking New

Just as your car needs to be properly maintained to run, the hardwood floors in your Maryland home need regular care to look beautiful for years to come. Following are some commonsense tips for maintaining your hardwood floors.

  • Dirt and grit act just like sandpaper on any floor. To keep grit from entering in your home use dirt-trapping, walk-off mats at all exterior doors. Place throw-rugs or small sections of carpet just inside the entrances. Always remember to keep doormats clean.
  • Vacuum regularly, as often as you vacuum carpets; a brush attachment works beautifully. Don't use the beater bar; it can damage the finish. Sweep or use an untreated dust mop daily or as needed, but do not use a household dust treatment as this may cause your floor to become slick, dull the finish, or interfere with recoating. Keep in mind that vacuum wheels may scratch the surface.
  • Check with the flooring manufacturer before using a micro fiber pad to clean your floor. The micro fibers may catch wood fibers and lift a splinter or cause a tear, exposing unfinished wood.
  • It is extremely important that the finish is fully cured (7 to 90 days depending on the type of finish) before placing any rugs, rug pads, etc. on the floor to keep from affecting the finish and leaving a prominent "rug print".
  • Use a rug pad with any rug placed on your wood floor. (Kitchen mats are the exception to this rule.) For rug pads choose 100% non-solvent based waffle type rubber, an untreated natural fiber such as wool or jute, or 1/4" chopped urethane. Do not use sticky or tacky backers. The plasticizers they use can attack and discolor finish. These same plasticizers may also be present in the backer of some rugs.
  • In kitchens, use area rugs at high spill locations and at work stations- stove, sink, and refrigerator. Cotton is generally the best fabric since it is easily washed.
  • Some finishes and certain chemicals in wood are affected by ultraviolet light and heat, causing the wood and some finishes to change color, develop a patina, or age. To avoid uneven appearance, move area rugs occasionally and drape or shade large windows.
  • Wipe up spills promptly with a dry cloth or paper towel. Use a slightly moistened cloth for sticky spills if necessary, but be sure to wipe the floor dry with another cloth or paper towel.
  • Keep heels on shoes in good repair, especially high heels. That also includes most boots with heels, such as cowboy boots. Heels worn away exposing steel support rods or nails will dent and scratch any floor surface, even concrete or steel.
  • Pets need a rug for drool and wet coats. Be sure to keep all toys, bones, etc. that have hard corners away from the floor. Also, be sure to trim your pet's nails regularly to avoid deep scratches.
  • Put felt fabric glides on the legs of your furniture; they allow furniture to be moved easily without scuffing the floor. Periodically clean glides since grit can become embedded in the fabric. Replace when the glides show wear (typically 6 to 12 months depending on use). Avoid casters made of hard materials like metals or hard plastics. If casters are necessary, use gray, non-marking rubber casters.
  • Older furniture with wooden or metal wheels can severely damage wood floors when moved. To avoid damage, place a felt-bottomed coaster under each wheel, allowing the piece to slide, rather than roll, when moved.