Flooring 2 | Home Makeover Diva

How to Repair Lifting Edges On Vinyl Tile

02.27.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Vinyl peel and stick tiles are an easy do-it-yourself friendly type of project, but what do you do if the edges start lifting up? Simple re-glue them. If you aren’t sure how to do this then read on for step by step instructions on how to repair lifting edges on vinyl tile.

First step. You’ll need to make sure the area is clean by sweeping and mopping the area to be fixed. Making special care to remove any dust or debris near the lifting edges. By taking care of this first, you will be making sure that everything is working as it should be. Not removing dust and dirt, will translate into this vinyl repair not working and eventually will mean you’ll need to repair the lifting edges on the vinyl tile again.

Second step. If the area of the vinyl tile that’s lifting up is bigger than the size of a quarter, use a slightly damp rag or sponge to clean out under the area where the tiles are lifting. Then wait until it is fully dry, about 15-20 mins. You’ll want to take special care not to bend the vinyl tile in the process. Some tiles are extremely thin and can break with too much pressure. So when it doubt, take things slowly. It’s better to be overly careful than bend the tiles and leaving a bigger problem than when you started.

Third step. At this point, you’ll want to use a construction strength adhesive out of a tube to re-glue the area. Slide the tip under the lifted tile edge. Be sure you don’t over glue the area. Make a small bead of glue in the center of the area, keeping in mind that when the tile is flat it will smooth out and cover more area. Take extra care to be careful with how much glue is being applied here. Too much glue is just going to create problems, so remember that you only need to apply a single bead of the glue — nothing more.

Fourth step. Press the tile edge down firmly and apply pressure. Don’t be afraid to apply plenty of pressure to the area. Just try to make sure the pressure you’re applying is done with an even hand as not to bend the vinyl tile or anything like that. When in doubt, just be careful and take things slowly. While you want to be firm with your application of pressure, you certainly don’t want to be overly forceful.

Fifth step. Immediately wipe off any excessive glue with a damp rag. There isn’t really any technique to this, other than making sure all of the excess glue is in fact, being removed completely. The reason for this is that it prevents you from ending up with a mess in the near future. Remember, it’s easier to remove the glue before it dries, than after. At least once it’s oozing the vinyl tiles, that is.

Sixth and final step. Now you will need to go ahead and apply a heavy object directly over the affected area to hold it down until the glue dries. Leave over top of the affected area for a minimum of two hours, preferably overnight if possible. By leaving an appropriate amount of time to dry, you’re ensuring that the vinyl tile won’t begin showing lifting edges once again. But it is critical to allow both an appropriate amount of drying time along with hard, flat surfaced objects that will be helping the drying process along.

Are In-Floor Heating Mats Worth It?

02.25.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Margaret writes:

Dear Diva, I live in a very cold climate and I am tired of my feet getting cold! Do you think those in floor heating mats are a good idea? Because they sure sound nice! What brand would you recommend and do you have any install suggestions? Thanks

Margaret, you are definitely not alone in wanting to keep your feet warm this winter! Now that summer is officially over and fall has begun, a lot of people have started to think about the impending cold weather and what they could do to keep their homes just a little warmer. The most common winter insulation and maintenance that people perform this time of year are only temporary solutions; from indoor window insulation kits to outdoor faucet covers. While the in-floor heating mats you are talking about are a much more permanent heating solution.

So, the first thing I’d point out is that the in-floor heating mats are only cost-effective if you are going to replace your existing flooring, as well. Because in most cases, you cannot just tear up your existing flooring, install the heating mats and then lay the old flooring back down like nothing happened. If this is the case, and you have no plans on installing new flooring, I would consider other options to keep your toes warm this winter. Like space heaters, area rugs and slippers. I know none of these options are the same as having a heated floor, however they are the best options to consider if replacing your existing flooring is not an option.

If you are planning on replacing your existing flooring however, then I would definitely suggest adding in floor heating mats to the install. They’ll keep your toes warm this winter and can help to lower your heating costs as well. As far as which brand I would suggest, the only brand I’ve ever used is Suntouch. While I can’t provide in-depth information comparing Suntouch to other brands of floor warming mats, I can tell you that Suntouch has never failed me or any of my clients. Plus, they offer some pretty comprehensive information on their website and their installation guide is very thorough. So, with over twenty separate installs to compare to, I’d say they make a pretty solid product and if I were installing in floor heating in my own home, that’s the brand I’d choose. Plus, Suntouch floor heating mats are reasonably priced and come in convenient sizes.

Here are a few things you should know about in floor heating mats and where they can be installed:

If you are estimating the cost of in floor heating, don’t forget the price of the thermostat and all needed materials. You will need one thermostat for each room you are installing the mats in and depending on which model thermostat you choose, this could cost an additional $150 per room.

Suntouch mats can be installed under almost any floor type, though it will warm floors with the maximum amount of heat by being installed under tile, stone and laminate flooring. In floor warming mats can be installed under carpet, vinyl and wood flooring but would first have to be installed using a polymer-modified cement-based mortar. Also, you should be aware that carpeted floor will not feel as warm as tile or laminate because the pad and carpet itself insulates against it.

If you were thinking about installing the mats yourself, you should read their online install specifications guide first. Do this before purchasing any material to find out whether or not your skill level is up to the task. Because floor warming systems have to be installed under your flooring, if you are not comfortable with the install specs, hire a trained professional. Additionally, Suntouch Floor Warming Mats are DIY friendly, but you must have an electrician hook them up to the thermostat and connect the mats together.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

How To Buy Carpet For Your Home

02.24.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

As we continue winding our way through the season, many of you are thinking about the home improvements that need to take place in your homes. But one home improvement that tends to be put off until the last-minute has to be changing out old carpeting. Why the procrastination? Most of the time it stems from not knowing how to buy carpet for their home. This is understandable, as the entire process can indeed be seen as a bit overwhelming.

To address this challenge, I’ve decided to offer a round-up of articles along with one additional resource that I think will help to ease the burden of learning how to buy carpet for your home.

Home Depot Carpet Installation: In an article dating back to April of this year, a reader asked what she needed to know about Home Depot carpet installation prices and whether or not it’s a good place to buy carpet. Pricing, expectations and other considerations were explained at length. There was also suggestion to the reader for them to be very proactive when dealing with a carpet order. This tip, is among one of the many considerations to remember when shopping around for new carpet for your home.

Carpet Buying Tips

From carpet type to carpet color, this article will prove helpful in offering some worthwhile carpet buying tips. Great, general advice is offered to anyone wanting to get the basics of carpet shopping. By no means does this cover all of the bases, but it’s a pretty good place to start. Considerations explored include texture, style, color, padding, moisture barriers and stain resistance.

So what’s missing then?

A lot of things are missing here, actually. The underlying problem is no matter how much I attempt to cover in one or two articles, there’s bound to be something that will be missed. What is needed to handle situations such as learning to effectively buy carpet from home is using a guide that will ensure you’re doing the following.

Tricks of the trade – You need to learn how to avoid common, misleading sales tactics used by some unscrupulous salespeople. There are factors you need to be aware of, in order to prevent being hosed for hundreds of dollars.

Selecting the best carpet for YOUR needs – Despite offering some fantastic articles here at the Home Makeover Diva, there are going to be instances where you need to know how to handle very specific circumstances.

I’d like to share an e-book with you that will not only prevent you from feeling “in the dark” when shopping for new carpet, it will ensure you aren’t being misled, sold the wrong kind of carpet/padding or other common issues you’ll find when carpet shopping.

This e-book guide will show you step by step how to purchase the best carpet and padding for the best possible price. Unlike the salespeople you end up dealing with, the e-book’s author isn’t on commission. For a small one time purchase, you could end up saving yourself hundreds of dollars in carpet buying mistakes. Not buying this guide, is absolutely not using any commonsense. Don’t buy new carpet without getting all of the facts, first!

The best part about using this guide is that it comes with a money back return policy. If you hate the advice offered, return it. And considering how much you’re about to spend on carpeting for your home, the tiny cost for this guide pays for itself instantly. After all, why gamble with the entire cost of a carpet install when you could very well save yourself from a terrible mistake with a cheap little e-book instead? Don’t go into a carpet emporium without getting all of the facts first.

Remember, unless you’re already a flooring expert, buying carpeting without understanding the type of carpeting you’re actually going to end up with is simply unwise. Play it safe, read the articles linked above and please, use the resources that have been provided to you. Better to be safe, than sorry and by playing it safe, you’ve lost nothing.

Carpet Fibers Comparison

02.17.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

There are many different types of carpet fibers available. However, when it comes to purchasing new wall to wall carpeting, most homeowners stick with one of three choices. These three carpet fibers are olefin, polyester and nylon. If you’re in the market for new carpeting and aren’t sure where to begin, this article will help you get a better understanding of those three fibers by offering a carpet fibers comparison and help you make a decision on which type is best for your home.

Olefin, also known as Polypropylene, is one of the most inexpensive carpet fibers available. Not known for softness, this carpet fiber is better suited for looped carpet styles. Despite the looped style, the fiber does not hold up to heavy foot traffic as well as others and should be avoided in hallways and on stairways. Carpets with Olefin fiber are most commonly found in converted garages, basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, and home offices. Olefin carpets are better suited to handle moisture than the other fibers and resist staining.

Polyester fiber is moderately priced. Some styles are more expensive than others, depending on what you are interested in. Polyester carpets are known for being soft to the touch, as well as fade and stain resistant. Some fibers are difficult to stain and have lifetime stain resistance warranties. In the past, polyester was known for not being a long wearing carpet fiber and was typically used only in formal living rooms and bedrooms. Today, however, there are many different types of polyester fibers and some are comparable to nylon in terms of wear. Specifically those that are the more eco-friendly fibers like PET the recycled pop bottle carpet, and PTT which is the carpet that is partly made from corn. The PTT polyester is an all around good value as it has superior stain resistance and is a great choice for families with young kids and pets.

Nylon fiber can be moderately priced, but tends to lean towards the expensive side compared to the other two options. Nylon fibers aren’t known for softness but are known for holding up in high-traffic situations, like family rooms, hallways and stairways. Just as polyester is switching to become more wear resistant, some nylon fiber types are becoming softer and more stain resistant. These fibers are Nylon 6 and Nylon 6.6. These types of fibers are more commonly found in the higher priced and well-known brands, but are well worth the price in terms of lasting value. Another nylon fiber that both boasts long wearing as well as superior stain resistance is solution dyed nylon. This type of nylon is only found in a hand full of brands and will be on the higher-end price wise.

Now that you know what the three basic carpet fibers are, as well as, the strengths of each you have a better idea of what to look for in a carpet. There are other carpet fibers available, but these three are better suited for most home owners. Specifically, because they provide long-term value and are budget friendly. Use this article as a starting point for carpet fibers comparison and you’ll be sure to find a carpet that can stand up to what your family can dish out!

Marble Tile Kitchen Floor

02.16.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Jenny writes:

Dear Diva, my husband wants to put a polished light-colored marble tile on the floor of our kitchen. I’m not really sure if this is a good idea, though. What do you think? Is the kitchen floor a good place for polished marble tiles?

Jenny, a marble tile kitchen floor is a beautiful choice for any kitchen. I can definitely understand why your husband would want the look of marble in the kitchen. However, I can also understand why you might be hesitant. Personally, my first choice for kitchen flooring would not be marble tile. Mostly because marble is somewhat higher maintenance than other stone tile types. And will require more care than porcelain or ceramic tiles. With that mind, I would consider marble a good choice for the kitchen only if you keep the following in mind: it can be slick and it may be harder to keep clean.

First of all Marble can be slick, especially if the surface is wet. For someone like me who is a klutz, I would stay away from any polished tiles completely. But this is a biased opinion and to be honest it is only from my perception of the surface of the tile. I have never actually slipped on a polished marble or granite tile, however, I do fear that I may slip and fall. You may find that slipping is not an issue for you. If you have kids or anyone who is unsteady on their feet, you may want to reconsider and choose a tile that has a higher slip resistance rating.

Another consideration is that light-colored natural stones such as marble are hard to keep clean. This is partly because of the light color of the stone and partly because of its polished surface. Flooring of any kind that is a light color will be harder to keep clean and keep from staining. With marble tiles you can combat some of potential staining by using a good quality penetrating grout and tile sealer. And making sure to follow-up with re-sealing once a year will also help. In addition to this you will also want to make sure you are using a tile cleaner that is approved not to affect the sealer. For example, you will want to make sure to stay away from any type of sealer with bleach or any other harsh chemicals.

Polished surfaces in general also tend to show dirt more easily than others. This factor can be a bigger issue if you have kids and pets, since they tend to track in more dirt. If this is the case you will want to be wary of polished surfaces or just be aware you may need to clean the marble tiles more often than less glossy surfaces.

Regardless of which type of flooring you decide on for the kitchen, make sure it is a choice you can both live with. Especially for the person who is responsible for keeping the new floor clean. And because new flooring is expensive you want to choose something you can live with! Marble tile kitchen flooring may sound like a good option now, but it may not be for you later on down the line. Especially if you plan on staying in your home for the long haul!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!