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June 30, 2010 on 4:12 pm
Lonseal Resilient Vinyl Flooring provides easy to follow maintenance programs for each type of flooring they manufacture along with troubleshooting guidelines for common problems. Outlined here are typical problems, causes and solutions. For the more serious issues, when it may be difficult to discern the cause, you may want to consult with the factory or your local sales agent before proceeding with a remedy. Black scuff marks and scratches are typically caused by hard plastics or rubber on shoes, carts, rolling beds (in hospitals) or from painted items dragged across the floor. To remedy these marks, removed thick residue with a dull putty knife, carefully so as not to cut into the floor, then rub the marks with a white scouring pad moistened with diluted LONCARE. Scuffs, scratches or gouges are caused by tracking of dirt and debris, by dragging (or dropping) heavy items, such as furniture, on the floor or by use of inappropriate pads or brushes. Apply floor protectors to the feet or bases of furniture (chairs, tables, etc) that sits on the floor, place walk-off mats at doorways, sweep or dust mop routinely (frequency will depend on use) to remove dirt particles that can scratch the floor, and check all equipment before machine cleaning or buffing- pads & brushes should be clean and in good condition. Always use a dolly, cart or furniture slides when moving heavy objects. Low or uneven surface gloss level can be caused by several conditions. Check for correct dilution ratio of LONCARE to water, dirty mop water or dirty equipment such as mop head, buffing pads or brushes. Correct the issue and clean the floor again with correctly diluted LONCARE and clean water & equipment. Also check your pads or brushes to ensure they are the correct type. If these simple corrections are made and the problem remains, there may have been an error during initial floor preparation (refer to Initial Care Instructions) or there may be insufficient finish (LONFINISH or LONSATIN) on the floor. In this case thoroughly cleaning and recoating the floor is required. You may need to completely strip and recoat depending on the severity of the problem. Cloudy, Sticky Finish can occur if phenolic-type disinfectants or high pH cleaners are used to routinely clean the floors. Clean the floors only with Neutral pH Cleaner such as LONCARE (except for instances where higher pH cleaner is recommended for removing specific types of stains or residues) and if disinfectant is required, use a quaternary-based disinfectant. Powdery or Scaly Finish can be a result of several factors. First, check your pads and brushes to ensure they are suitable for the type of finish on your floor’s surface. Pads and brushes that are too aggressive will accelerate wear of the finish. Other causes may be layers of incompatible finish materials on the floor, not enough wait time between coats of finish during finish application, or prep work was not properly executed prior to finishing. Any of these issues will require strip and refinish according to Lonseal Instructions. Some types of floors need a more flexible finish, such as gym floors, and powdery or scaly appearance may be the result if the finish on the floor is too hard for the type of use it gets. In this situation, the finish will need to be stripped completely and a more suitable finish should be applied. This is a situation where I would recommend consulting with Lonseal or your local sales agent before proceeding. Yellowing finish is a result of continuous use of dirty mop, buffing pads or tracked-on contaminants. To eliminate discoloration, strip and refinish the floor and ensure all maintenance equipment is kept clean and dirty water is changed frequently during cleaning. Floor mats at doorways will reduce the contaminants being tracked onto the floor. Routine or daily cleaning will pick up the contaminants before they become widespread. Ink or Dye stains should be scrubbed immediately with a high pH cleaner, such as GP Forward or denatured alcohol. Don’t use solvents. Not all stains can be removed however cleaning a stain soon after it occurs will improve the result. Slippery Floors can often be minimized by placing walk-off mats at exterior doorways or in strategic locations to capture tracked-in moisture, dirt or contaminants that may be causing the problem. Liquid spills, leaks or condensation will make a resilient floor slippery. Locate and eliminate the source of the liquid, blot or pick up liquid with wet-vac (depending on the severity) and rinse with clean water to remove any residue. If moisture is being tracked in from exterior doorways, walk-off mats will minimize the problem. If accumulation of dust and dirt is causing the floors to be slippery, sweep and dust mop frequently and use walk-off mats at doorways. Contaminants, such as soap residue, grease or furniture polish overspray, can also cause the floor to be slippery. These contaminants will likely leave a film that will clue you in to the source. Use a higher pH cleaner, such as GP Forward, to lift the contaminants off the floor then return to routine cleaning with LONCARE. If possible, eliminate the source of the contaminant or reduce its effect on the floor with strategically placed floor mats. If a contaminant is widespread and the higher pH cleaner does not resolve the problem, a complete strip and refinish may be required and controlling the source will be crucial. Note: Mats should be non-staining, preferably not rubber-backed. If mats have rubber backing, use acrylic spacers to avoid rubber coming in direct contact with the floor since rubber-backed mats can cause brownish staining on the floor. 1877Floorguy.com sells Lonseal Care & Maintenance Products. Professional, Experienced Customer Service can answer your floor maintenance questions at 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6758). Use coupon code FGBLOG for a 10% discount when placing your order. This coupon code cannot be combined with other discount codes. Information contained in this article was provided by Lonseal’s Technical Manual for Interior Flooring Products.
June 21, 2010 on 5:25 pm
Cork is a resilient, eco-friendly flooring material that has a unique aesthetic appeal and can reduce stress on your feet and legs when you spend a lot of time standing on the floor (as compared to other hard surface floors). Cork is not as commonly used as other types of flooring materials, such as wood, vinyl and laminate. Because of this, not everyone knows how easy it is to maintain a Cork floor. Here are some basics for Cork floor care that will get you started in the right direction. A Cork floor should be swept frequently enough, depending on the amount of traffic it gets, to remove loose dirt and debris off the floor thereby reducing the instances of microscopic scratches that occur when these particles become ground or rubbed into the floor. Microscopic scratches will dull the appearance of your floor. Always sweep your cork floor prior to mopping or use a vacuum on the “hard floor” setting. Note: Vacuums with metal beater bars or in poor condition can damage cork so check your machine before vacuuming. Place mats near exterior doorways to limit dirt and debris tracking on your floor. Avoid rubber or non-porous types of backings on mats because they tend to trap moisture that could damage your floor. Clean up spills right away with a soft cloth because, like hardwood floors, moisture is not cork’s friend. To clean up after a spill, if it’s something other than water, use a spray cleaner to remove any residue left behind. Wipe the cleaner until it’s dry. This will be the same product that you use to clean the floor. Use manufacturer approved cleaners on your cork floor to uphold your warranty on a new cork floor. Check your manufacturer warranty for specific time frames and details. If you don’t know the flooring manufacturer, there are products approved for use on cork floors such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Basic Squeaky Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner. These are spray cleaners that spray directly onto the floor then mop with a microfiber mop. Both, Bona & Basic, have a mop kit that includes cleaner and mop. Replacement mop covers (Bona, Basic) can be purchased separately. Bona also has a spray mop for all-in-one cleaning. If you are uncertain about what product to select, ask the retailer. A knowledgeable retailer, local or internet, will be familiar with cork and what types of cleaner or finish is compatible. Basically, you’re looking for a cleaner with neutral pH and that leaves no residue. 1877floorguy.com is available by phone during our normal business hours at 1-877-356-6748. Minimize scuffs and scratches. Save your floor from furniture scratches by using felt pads under furniture legs and bases. This is a MUST DO to protect the floor from scratches especially on tables and chairs that are frequently moved! Be aware of spike-heeled shoes or shoes with worn-out or excessively heavy heels that can dent and damage the floor. Remove shoes or ask others to do so in order to save your floor. These rules apply to any hard surface floor in your home. When moving large pieces of furniture or appliances on cork, don’t drag! Cork will scratch or gouge if a heavy or sharp object drags across it. If possible, lift objects to move them. If items are too heavy to lift, such as hutches or large appliances, use tools to assist you such as EZ Moves felt bottom slides. This will save your floor and your back! Again, good practice for any hard surface floor. Follow these basic rules, along with the Manufacturer’s Care Instructions, and your cork floor should look good for many years. Finishes can sometimes be applied to cork for added protection in high traffic areas. To be sure you select a compatible finish, we recommend you call us at 1-877-Floorguy or contact the flooring manufacturer for guidance before you purchase and apply a finish. If you buy from 1877Floorguy.com, use coupon code “FGBLOG” for a 10% discount off your order. Check our website under Cork & Rubber Floor Care for some manufacturer recommended care products or our Hardwood Floor Care section because many wood care products work well on cork floors. For assistance from one of our knowledgeable agents, call 1-877-Floorguy, with your questions.
June 3, 2010 on 8:44 pm
Whether you’re headed to your vacation home at the beach, lakeside or in the mountains, your first trip is likely to have your car loaded up with some or all of the following… kids, pets, boogie boards, beach chairs, fishing poles, tackle box, coolers, bed sheets, towels, toilet paper and the list goes on and on. While you’re trying to fit all of this into your vehicle and realizing what a tight squeeze it is, remember… cleaning supplies to get rid of the must and dust that has settled into your vacation home during the winter months! Have no fear… (1877)Floorguy is Here! Before you leave for your lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer, take a few minutes to log on to www.1877floorguy.com, place your order for cleaning supplies and have it ship to your summer address. This way, you won’t have to fit it into your car which leaves more space for lounge chairs, inner tubes, beach umbrellas, etc. Don’t wait until you get there to buy it at the local grocer who will have a small selection at summer prices. Shop smart at www.1877floorguy.com! Check out our Top Picks for Summer 2010. We’ve included products that take care of mold, odors and stains and convenient, easy to use items that will make cleaning your home away from home a breeze. Then use our Shipping Calculator to estimate how far in advance you should place your order so it’s there when you arrive. This feature is further explained in How Can I Reduce My Floorguy Shipping Costs Without Sacrificing Service blog.
DuPont StoneTech Revitalizer Cleaner & Protector is a popular choice for cleaning and maintaining natural stone & ceramic tile surfaces often found in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms. Available in spray or disposable wipes the Revitalizer Cleaner & Protector comes in two great scents, Cucumber and Citrus, and the built-in sealer protects the surface of the stone while it cleans for a worry-free surface. No need to rinse. Just clean and go. This allows more time for you to enjoy fun in the sun!
Great for routine bathroom & kitchen cleaning, AquaKleen is a multi-purpose basin, tub and tile cleaner that effectively cleans even soiled grout joints. The No VOC, water-safe formula is approved for use on ceramic surfaces, natural stone, tile, porcelain, grout, plastic, glass, fiberglass, cultured marble, metal surfaces laminate, and fixtures which will give you peace of mind that a guest staying at your house, while you’re not there, won’t use the “wrong” cleaner because it’s hard to go wrong with AquaKleen.
Vital-Oxide is a must-have if mold or mildew has taken root or if you’re concerned about bacteria anywhere in your home. Eliminates 99.9% of bacteria on a wide range of surfaces in your home including counters, floors, mattresses, upholstery and in the laundry. Vital Oxide is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial disinfectant, safe for use around children and pets. Ready-to-use formula available in 32oz Spray or Gallon Size.
Three can’t-go-wrong spot cleaners for carpet. All proven effective and easy to use to quickly remove stains from carpet. Don’t worry if your son spills his chocolate milk, the dog has a little “accident” or your husband tracks grease in from the bbq. Here are three convenient carpet spot cleaners to have on hand that can clean-up the mess:
We’ve got many more fabulous floor cleaning & maintenance items at 1877Floorguy.com, hundreds of products to keep your floors looking their best including equipment and tools, such as Bona Kemi Mops & Microfiber Covers and Manufacturer Supplied Care Kits such as Bruce Wood Flooring Maintenance Kit and Quick Step Laminate Cleaning Kit. We carry many hard to find floor care items so, if you don’t find what you need on our website, call us at 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6748). Thanks for taking the time to see our Top Picks for Summer Cleaning. Place your order today and take a 10% discount off your order by using coupon code “FGBLOG”. We appreciate your business and wish you a Wonderful Summer!
June 2, 2010 on 3:28 pm
I think you’ll agree that…Shipping is EXPENSIVE! Shipping is IMPORTANT! AND you’re a HAPPY Customer when our products ship to you in good condition and in a timely fashion. We want to keep you happy by providing reliable delivery at the best possible price. I am going to share with you some strategies you can use to improve shipping costs for the products you buy from us. First, take a moment to find the Shipping Calculator located on our “View My Cart” page by scrolling to the bottom of the page. (At lease one item must be in your cart to be able to scroll.) Our Shipping Calculator is linked directly to UPS and uses their rates based on weight, # of packages and destination. This makes it easy for you to look at shipping cost before you place your order. In order to maximize packaging opportunities and save money for our Customers we have figured out the right size boxes for each of our products and how many items per box create economy in shipping without sustaining certain damage en route to you. You’ll notice, on our website, that most items are available in quantity discounts. Minimum quantity for the price breaks correspond with the way our products are packaged because, for example, it costs less to package 2 bottles of 32 oz. Bona Pro-Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner than 1 so we pass the savings on to you. In addition to the price break, your freight will be substantially less per item for 2 bottles than 1. (There is some difference due to handling and weight.) The Shipping Calculator is an excellent, easy to use tool that you can use to compare shipping costs for multiple quantities vs individual quantities before placing your order. Our Customers have let us know that shipping cost is an important factor in purchasing decisions. Customers also say that reliable delivery, without damage, is even more important. Based on this feeback, we continue to ship our producst with UPS because they provide us and our Customers with the best record of successful deliveries, ease of order tracking and reliable estimates for transit time (also shown in the Shipping Calculator). If damage does occur in transit, UPS has a system in place to promptly notify us of the damage so we can reship the order to you in the shortest amount of time. Here’s what some of our customers have said about our shipments: Amy in Buffalo, NY, “Good products, good prices. Shipping was efficient and timely; the products were well-packaged.” Miriam in Las Vegas, NV, “I received a confirmation email when I placed the order and another when the order was shipped. The email had a link to the UPS tracking website so I could see exactly when my products would arrive. The process was quick and easy.” Mary in Newport, TN, “This was one of the easiest orders I have placed on line. The service was very fast and convenient. I received an E-mail confirmation immediately following placement of my order. The order was well packaged and it arrived as promised.” In addition to quantity discounts, we offer FREE FREIGHT on orders of $200 or more. If you place an order with $200 or more in products from www.1877Floorguy.com freight is FREE (valid for orders shipping within the 48 contiguous states). To obtain Free Shipping enter the coupon code “FREESHIP” at Checkout. If you only need a small amount of product, consider purchasing with a friend so you can both stock up on the floorcare products you need and share the benefit of free shipping. The question, “Is there a way to reduce the shipping cost on my Floorguy order?” Helpful Notes: If you have any questions about our shipping policies as you place your order, call 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6748) to speak with one of our courteous, knowledgeable Customer Service Agents. Our “Thank You” for reading this blog post is coupon code “FGBLOG” for a 10% discount off your order. (This discount does not apply if you are using the “FREESHIP” coupon code. Sorry…only one discount per order:) |
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