The Beautiful Guarantee™ for Carpet

Carpet flooring products with a Titanium, Platinum, or Gold SelectAFloor™warranty carry The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. If at any time after installation and during the terms of The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty you wish to change your new carpet for a different SelectAFloor™ style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it free with another SelectAFloor™ carpet style or color of equal or lesser value. Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™ carpet upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price. No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced carpet is selected.

This is a one-time only replacement and does not include replacement of cushion. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the timeframe of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™carpet under The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes material and labor. Labor to move furniture, permanent construction (built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases), equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacement will be made with respect to carpet that has been glued down, subjected to abuse, vandalism, alteration, or damage caused by smoke,fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event. This warranty applies only to the original purchase of a Carpet One Floor & Home® style carpet that has been professionally installed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer.

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Pizza Hut ran out of pizza

Okay, have you ever gone somewhere to do something, or talked to somebody about anything, or heard something so outrageous, and just not know what to say because what you saw, or what you heard, just defies all human comprehension? Well, try walking into the Pizza Hut in Augusta, GA tonight and you might just find that Charmin lost its squeeze, or Downy lost its bounce, or Pepsi lost its fizz. First I ordered a Pizzone only to find out a few minutes later they didn't have any left. Okay, a little out of the ordinary, how about some pizza, wait let me be honest with you, we're out of most everything, well what do you have, do you have pasta, yes, ok I'll take some of that.

Hmmm, I say. Pizza Hut ran out of pizza. I'll say this for the waitress, she was great, and positive, and she didn't let it spoil the meal. She comp'd me out on the salad, the drink, and some breadsticks. This was a nice, clean place too, so I got to talking with her. Apparently the manager forgot to order the dough. Crazy, huh? Can you imagine that? Pizza Hut has to have dough I think. Not having dough in Pizza Hut is like a lumberjack going to work without an ax or a saw.

Hey, bottom line, good customer service trumped it all. I know I learned that a positive attitude in the face of unchangeable circumstances certainly goes a long way in changing a potentially bad customer experience into a good one. I look at it this way: I wanted to try the Tuscani Pasta anyway, so I had to do it when I didn't ordinarily intend to. So what, I got good service, and a good discount to boot. Plus, I'm so full right now I can barely walk, and they promised to have crust tomorrow night!

Flooring Care & Maintenance Spot Removal Chart

The best cure for a spill is a fast response. If a spill is allowed to become a stain, it will be much more difficult to remove. Here are some tips for eliminating stains and spills.

Stop Stains Before They Start

There are three important steps that you must use to treat a stain, hopefully before it has a chance to set in your carpet:
Apply: Wet a clean, white (not printed) paper towel with a cleaning solution. Then dampen the carpet with it. Avoid wetting the carpet through to its backing.
Blot: Absorb the excess liquid from the carpet by pressing straight down with a clean, dry, white paper towel. Do not rub. Place a half-inch thick pad of clean, dry, white paper towels with a weight on top and leave overnight if necessary.
Scrape: Gently scratch the soiled area with the blunt edge of a spoon. Scrape from the outside edge of the spot toward the center.

Click on your problem spot below to be directed straight to the removal method…

Asphalt
Beer
Berries
Blood
Butter
Candle Wax
Candy
Catsup
Chalk
Chewing Gum
Chocolate
Coffee
Cooking Oil
Dyes
Excrement
Foundation Makeup
Fruit Juice
Furniture Polish
Grease - Food
Grease - Auto
Glue - White
Glue - Hobby
Ice Cream
Ink - Ball Point Pen
Ink - India
Ink - Marking Pen
Juice Drinks - Artificially colored
Kool-Aid
Lemonade
Lipstick
Mascara
Mayonnaise
Mercurochrome
Methiolate
Milk
Mixed Drinks
Mud
Mustard
Nail Polish
Paint - Latex
Paint - Oil
Pet Food
Paper-Mache
Shoe Polish
Shortening
Soft Drink
Tar
Tea
Urine - Dry
Urine - Fresh
Vomit
Wine - Red
Wine - White
Unknown

Flooring Care & Maintenance Spot Removal Chart from Carpet One

Retailer of the Year Award for Leadership (ROYAL)

Last year we received an award from the Florida Retail Federation that went a long way in demonstrating the effort that we have put into moving our company ahead in the marketplace. Through the work of many people, we achieved what many said could not be done.

For the last couple of years, we worked to set ourselves apart from the competition through technical expertise, training, and product knowledge. Beginning in 2004, we did this in a couple of ways. First, we embarked upon a journey to become Installation Excellence Five Diamond Certified. Installation Excellence is a Carpet One Floor & Home program that measures the ability of our sales and installation team to satisfy our customers, and we achieved it in a record setting six months. Most please to us was the absolutely high marks we received from our customers via the surveys we sent out with every job.

In conjunction with the Installation Excellence Program, we began a long certification process for our sales and installation personnel through a variety of industry resources. Carpet One Floor & Home has a robust training program mixing online, on site, and off site educational curriculum. When combined with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), we certified two sales personnel as Certified Flooring Sales Consultants (CFS) and one person as a Certified Flooring Executive (CFE). All of the certifications are available online at the WFCA website. What achieved the certifications through WFCA? Hours of dedication on the part of our personnel taking product knowledge, design, decoration, colors, and all sorts of other courses to demonstrate a level of learning beyond the industry standard.

In addition to the learning programs, we had one individual attend a graduation two inspection programs through industry recognized leaders in their respective product categories: the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). Through the TCNA sponsored educational organization Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), we graduated the Ceramic Tile Inspector Course, and through NWFA, we have a Certified Wood Floor Inspector on staff. Click here to find out more about the NWFA certification.

Adding to our list of technical qualifications, we recently added the ability to install the Ardex Moisture Control System, an industry leading in concrete preparation for flooring installation. We achieved a technical certification from Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) as well.

Other courses and training include Wilsonart, the American Plywood Association (APA), Earthscapes, and Florida Retail Federation (FRF) Retail Masters.

In addition to our professional efforts, we made tremendous strides and inroads into the community through many charitable endeavors: Marine Corps Toys For Tots (TFT), American Cancer Society (ACS), Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC), Delta Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), and many other local schools and organizations.

In recognition of our endeavors, several organizations recognized us for our endeavors. Carpet One Floor & Home presented us with the National Community Service Award in 2005 and 2007. The Bay County Chamber of Commerce awarded us the Small Business of the Year in 2005. The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida presented us with the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2006. The Panama City Jaycees awarded us the Community Leader of the Year in 2008. The Florida Retail Federation gave us the Retailer of the Year Award for Leadership (ROYAL) for 2008. As you can see, we are very active in the community, and we take it very seriously.

We hope that you will give us a chance to demonstrate what separates us from the competition. As a store, we commit to providing you the best service that money can buy with a product that is premium in quality, choice, and selection. Please stop by and learn about us or visit us online to find out more.

Click to watch a video about our efforts...

Flooring Basics - Carpet

Comfortable. Colorful. Versatile. There are many reasons why carpet is one of the most popular types of floor covering. Learn more about this fashionable and affordable flooring choice.

There's nothing like the soft feel of a nice carpet. Warm in winter and cool in summer, it makes any room more inviting as a place to relax with friends … a place for the kids to play … a cozy, yet stylish place to feel at home. Plus, with so many styles and colors to choose from, it's easy to find the right carpet for every décor and every taste.

There are three basic types of carpeting — Cut Pile, Loop Pile, and Cut & Loop Pile. Pile refers to the fiber yarns which are tufted or sewn into the backing. How these yarns are cut and twisted helps determines the texture and durability of the carpet. In addition, most of the fibers are either synthetic or natural wool, which offer varying degrees of wear and stain resistance.

Carpet is also one of the easiest types of flooring to install and maintain. The easy-care features of today's advanced stain resistant carpets allow you enjoy a beautiful floor for many years. Simply vacuum regularly, clean up spills promptly, and have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months.

Recommendations
Formal or casual, carpet can add a warm feel to any room. Of course, not every style of carpet is designed for every type application. Read below to help select the best styles for your needs.

For formal settings, both Plush (Velvet) and Saxony carpet styles have a smooth texture with a luxurious look and feel. Saxony is more resilient than Plush, so it can be used in higher traffic areas.

For versatility in casual situations, durable carpet styles like Textured Saxony, curly textured Frieze and popular Berber wear well in playrooms, workrooms, basements and other active areas.

Although Shag carpet offers a relaxed, informal style, its deep, twisted yarn texture tends to mat easily and should only be used in lighter traffic areas.

And for family rooms or other casual rooms where people are on the floor a lot, Cable carpet has a thick, soft texture that wears better than regular shag.

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When Did Good Enough Become The Standard?

OK, so I'm walking through a brand new development on the beach tonight at a business function, and as always, my eyes are drawn to the floor like magnets. It seems that everywhere I go now, I critique the floors, like some kind of obsession. I can't help it, it's what I do. To top it off, I'm a Marine, and Once a Marine, Always a Marine! So I have an eye for detail. I couldn't help but notice that one of the most expensive developments on the beach had some very shoddy workmanship.

Last week, we were up in Virginia, and I had the opportunity to walk in a mall that was huge. The Fair Oaks Mall on the west side of Washington DC has so many wings and levels that it would take a GPS probably to navigate all the way around. Once again, critiquing what I saw, I couldn't help but notice they had the prettiest floors of any commercial job that I had seen. The floor was gorgeous, no high or low spots, the grout was even, the transitions were professionally done. I've also been in quite a few hotels on business travel lately, and like always, I'm seeing the floors for what they are. The thing is that in larger areas, the jobs are so much more professional, and yet, what makes the difference?

I honestly do not know why anyone would pay the prices they do in this town and not demand the best for what they get. Every development on the beach ought to be luxurious, yet when you walk into them, the amenities and finishes frequently leave much to be desired. I know because we have gone into them for individual condo owners after their purchase to replace the brand new materials installed by the developer.

Lack of quality angers me, and so I've taken it upon myself to learn more and more about this profession so that we can do a better job. I was up in Maryland last week for a carpet certification class where I worked with installers of carpet who had been doing it for over 30 years. The critical thing that I learned is that the ability to do a job right is more a frame of mind than a reality. For instance, take two installers, both having installed for 30 years, and one chooses to do everything by the book, even helping to create the "book", yet the other has developed shortcuts throughout the years and made due with what he has been given. The one who has made due may produce a quality product, and he can tell you why he does every detail, yet his product does not last as long. Why? If he were in a different environment, or if his customer knew the difference, or if there was a standard to be upheld, or if he even knew the standard, then he would produce a better product because he wanted to. The only difference in the two installers is the environment in which they were brought up, and the professional atmosphere where they learned their skills.

It amazes me that both have 30 years of experience, and one tells you something is possible to be done right, yet the other denies it. I see it everyday. I learned early in my business to categorize installers by their capability and to allow only those willing to follow the rules to complete the most technical jobs. It doesn't work any other way because an installer who works over his head always finds himself in trouble. Put a man in a job that fits him, and you will be satisfied every time.

For the time being as I look around our community, I will remain puzzled as to why we can't see a professionally accomplished commercial jobsite.

The Difference Between Savings and Investing - Summer 2009

 

The Difference between Savings and Investing

- Tiffany Vongpukkeaw, July 2009

This may seem like a simple a topic to some, but recent economic events have proven that we should not get too complacent about understanding the difference between saving and investing. First, let’s define each term.

Savings account, is an account maintained by a customer with a depository institution for the purpose of accumulating funds over a period of time. Funds deposited in a savings account may be withdrawn only by the account owner or a duly authorized agent, or on the owner's nontransferable order. The account may be owned by one or more persons. Some accounts require funds to be kept on deposit for a minimum length of time, while others permit unlimited access to funds. Earnings may be in the form of dividends, as in the case of a share type savings account, or interest as in the case of a deposit type account.

Investing, is the purchase of a financial product or other item of value with an expectation of favorable future returns. In general, terms, investment means the use of money in the hope of making more money. Lightly said, with savings you are putting money away for later use, usually in a stable and secure environment with little to no risk. With investing, you are also putting away money for later use, but usually much later, and so are willing to take on the potential for greater risk in return for the potential future reward of greater growth.

Financial advisors will usually tell you that it is a good idea to first start with savings and then move to investing. Build your financial foundation on a strong base, starting with security and moving toward great risk when you are ready for the potential of loss as well of reward.

With savings, a good general rule of thumb for consideration is having at least 3 months worth of your income in an emergency fund. This money would cover any unexpected medical bills, unplanned car repairs, unexpected job loss, etc. It should only be used for an emergency, not for impulsive shopping sprees.

Also, consider having a reserve fund, used to pay for the planned necessities of your life. This would include rent or mortgage payments, car insurance, student loans payments, life insurance premiums, etc.

Lastly, having a reward fund doesn’t hurt. In this fund, you could save for that new car you want, your special vacation, the new designer bag you have had your eye on, or even to plan for the holiday gifts you know you will be buying every year.

There was a time when people preferred to hide their money under their mattresses rather then trust a bank, but even though we have had some real problems in the baking industry this year, a savings account is probably still a better bet since you will earn some interest. Some of the other savings tools you can use to your benefit are Certificates of Deposit (CD’s), Money Market Accounts, and U.S. Savings Bonds.

Moving on to Investing

After you have covered your basic living expenses and saved for both the seen and unforeseen expenses, you may want to consider using any extra money for investments. Remember, investments usually have longer-term goals, like paying for retirement or children’s college.

Note to self: you shouldn’t invest more than you are willing or able to lose.

There are many ways to invest your money, whether you want to invest in hard assets like property, precious metals or antiques, or equity investments through stocks and bonds or mutual funds. Which choice is best for you really depends on the time frame and what you are looking to accomplish.

• Stock: is actual ownership of a part of a company, so how your investment will perform depends on how the company performs. If it flies high, you will likely make money, if it goes under, you could lose everything you put in. Depending on which stocks you choose, you may be very aggressive and experience growth rapidly or look for slower progress.
• Bonds: instead of being an owner, you are a lender. You have loaned the company money and it pays you back with fixed interest in a certain amount of time. The company may provide the opportunity to earn a stream of income over time. This is often the reason that those needing stable income look to bonds to pay out regularly as they mature.
• Mutual Funds: provide professional management by a company that pools investors and invests their money in a diverse portfolio, ranging from stocks, to bonds, and other securities or a combination of investments.

Here are a few great websites that offer their services to help you save and invest!

• www.finra.org - FINRA Broker Check is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of the current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. It is a resource many investors turn to when choosing whether to do business with a particular broker or brokerage firm.
• www.google.com/tipjar - Tip Jar is a tool that helps you discover and share new and useful tips for saving money in your daily life. With this tool, users find new ways to cut down on utilities bills, plan more cost-conscious vacations, and save money one everyday activities like commuting to work and grocery shopping. Tips are ranked by the web community with the most helpful receiving the highest rankings.
• www.fdic.gov - Read FDIC’s free publications to become a better-informed customer. Site also includes a consumer complaint on-line form if you have a question regarding FDIC deposit insurance coverage, or an inquiry or a complaint regarding your financial institution.

The Difference Between Savings and Investing - Summer 2009

Is Cheaper always less expensive ?

Is Cheaper always less expensive?

In today’s economy, I see many people who are comparing prices, and my job, while much more difficult at times, has become very interesting is seeing the many items that are available in the marketplace. As every person is different, everyone has something that they want, something that take precedence, something that causes them to buy. Nowadays, price seems to be the biggest driving factor in many people’s decision to do anything to their home anymore, and many times, people go with the “cheaper price” simply because they feel like it is a better deal.

About six months ago I had the pleasure of working with a nice couple on a tiled bathroom and shower. I sold them the materials however they chose a different company for the installation because they were $300.00 dollars cheaper. Last week this nice couple came back into my store to ask me to order some more tile for their shower and what it would cost to tear out and replace what the other company installed. Apparently, the shower was not installed properly and leaked, causing moisture and mold to get into the interior walls. They tried to call the company that installed it, but they were “out of business”.

My only point is that cheaper is not necessarily less expensive. For instance, if this couple would have contracted with us to complete the job from the beginning, they would not be out of the thousands of dollars it took to replace it. We would have fixed the problem, that we created, and replaced the tile at no charge.

When shopping for best price always consider several things. Reputation of the company, guarantee of the product and installation, as well as the ability and product knowledge of the company with whom you are contracting.
Here at Carpet One Floor & Home we take pride in every job we do. Our Sales staff and installers are always being trained on the best products to fit your needs with warranties that are the best in the industry, and we have been doing this for almost 30 years. We may not always be cheaper; however in the long run we are less expensive

Carpet – Care and Maintenance

A regular maintenance program extends the life of the original appearance of your carpet. Today's carpet fibers are designed to hide dirt and reflect light and have the ability to resist soiling and stains. However, the lack of apparent soiling does not eliminate the necessity of regular cleaning.†

You will need to vacuum your heavy traffic areas, such as hallways, stairs,and exterior entryways at least twice a week. Vacuum less heavily used areas weekly. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar or rotating brush and with a strong enough airflow to penetrate to the carpet backing.

Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface and may become fuzzy. For these products, and those styles with a combination thick or thin or cable yarn, a suction-only vacuum is recommended or a vacuum with an adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so it does not agitate the pile. A vacuum with a beater bar or rotating brush can be tested for excessive fuzzing in an inconspicuous location before regular use.

Carpet One Floor & Home® does not recommend a vacuum brand.There are brands that offer adjustable beater bars or even a feature to turn the beater bar off in some cases. The Carpet and Rug Institute(www.carpet-rug.org) also offers information and ratings of vacuums.

Most dry soil has razor-like edges that abrade carpet fibers, causing light to reflect differently and give carpet a dull appearance. Soil can damage the fibers permanently if allowed to remain in the pile.

No matter how often you vacuum, your carpet will still need heavy-duty cleaning from time to time. Professional cleaning is required to maintain your Carpet One Floor & Home® warranty. We would be glad to advise you about which cleaning method is best for your particular carpet. Hot water extraction, either alone or in combination with cleaning, is required to maintain most warranties.* Some styles, however, must be cleaned in other ways. Be sure to check with your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer for the recommended cleaning method for your particular carpet. A trained professional should perform this service at least every 18-24 months to refresh the texture and rejuvenate the fibers in your carpet.† Have the cleaning professionals come to your home for a visual inspection, and obtain a written agreement before the work is started. You must retain your receipts for proof of maintenance service should a warranty claim arise.

When you and your cleaning professional choose a cleaning method,fiber content is the most important concern. Most carpet today is constructed with synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, or olefin and may be cleaned with most cleaning methods. Natural fibers such as wool, cotton, silk, and sisal may require specialized care. Use a cleaning method recommended by the carpet manufacturer to maintain their warranty, and if you should have any questions or concerns about your new carpet, just call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer.

† Courtesy of the Carpet and Rug Institute, Copyright 2006.
* If you purchased the Everguard® Stain Protection Plan with your carpet, contact the 3M Service Center (1-800-352-6789) for spot removal instructions prior to using the following spot removal methods.

Flooring Care & Maintenance Carpet from Carpet One

Carpet One Green Select

Helping protect our environment is everyone’s business!  We care about more than just floors. We care about the community and its environment. We know there are lots of things we can all do to make them cleaner, greener, and healthier.

Today we face numerous environmental challenges, including global warming, energy deficiency and the depletion of our natural resources. Though we may not see the effects today, we must always be thinking to the future.

Our Green Select initiative represents our commitment to making our environment better through our relationship with our communities, our customers, our suppliers and our employees. One key example is our Green Select Labels. We’re continually working with our vendors to produce flooring that meets our strict eco-friendly standards.

To earn a Green Select label, the product must currently be recyclable, contain a minimum of recycled material and/or be made from a natural, sustainable, quickly renewable resource. A key example is our Montado Cork flooring. Beautiful and durable, MontadoTM is 100% natural cork flooring made from a naturally sustainable resource, so it’s good for the environment.  It doesn’t stop at cork though, we have endless options of bamboo, reclaimed hardwood, river wood, etc.

Beyond that, I want to hear from you.  Tell me what these products mean to you.  Do they matter?  What interests you the most??

More Info...

Marine Corps Museum

Today we visited the US Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA primarily because my oldest son remembers the last time we visited and wanted to see it again. I recommend this trip to any who like history along with any veteran. If you want to see the foundation of one of the country's greatest military services, then this is your museum!
Only three years old, opened in 2006, the Marine Corps Museum is impressively appointed with granite from head to toe. Built to resemble the Iwo Jima Memorial, the top of the memorial is topped with a spire that reaches sideward to the sky likening to the flag raising atop Mt. Suribachi.
Inside the circular structure is a grand room etched with some of the most historic quotes in the Marines' glorious history. Suspended from the ceiling is a gull winged Corsair and inside is a old helicopter along with a tank, both impressively set in life size dioramas from their respective pasts.
The gallery surrounds the main room and runs chronologically clockwise around the building. Each war has its own section and most have a lifelike interactive area matched to the climate of the theater of combat. The Iwo Jima portion puts you in a briefing room to listen to the combat orders issued prior to the invasion before shipping you out the front of a Higgins boat. In much the same way, in Vietnam, you walk through a loud, thunderous tail section of a troop transport helicopter into a hot stuffy terrain complete with calls for fire. In the frozen Chosin, you stand in a cool environment while listening to the sounds of gunfire, mortars, and radio traffic as it may have occurred during one of the nights.
Many tanks, artillery pieces, medium and small arms are placed throughout the gallery along with the first flag that was raised atop Suribachi. I never fail to get goose bumps walking through the place, and unlike most museums, it does an outstanding job of putting you in realistic scenarios to give you the best understanding of what the Marine Corps is all about: its experiences, traditions, and successes.
I recommend you make a trip to see it whenever you are in the Washington DC area.

John Shepard

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

IMG00053-20090715-1010.jpg

We're here at the Marine Corps Museum today!

John Shepard
President
Carpet One Floor & Home

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Vinyl – Care and Maintenance

With the easy maintenance of a resilient floor, there is no cause for concern when it comes to spots, spills, or scuffs left by shoes. By observing a few precautions, and with proper care and maintenance, you can ensure that your vinyl floor always looks its best.

The adhesive under your floor needs time to thoroughly dry after installation.  Therefore, we recommend that you do not scrub or wash your floor for at least three days after it is installed. 

For general cleaning, sweep your floor regularly (at least once a week) and be sure to wipe up spills promptly. Occasional mopping with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning solution may be needed when dirt builds up and sweeping alone is not sufficient. Please note that soap or detergent products are not recommended for resilient floors as they will leave a dulling film on the surface. The Flex Floor products, however, can be cleaned with a damp mop and mild detergent or soap.

Caution: Vinyl floors can be slippery when they become wet. Use extreme caution when walking on a wet floor. Use doormats outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Use non-staining mats on your floor. Do not put rubber-backed, latex-backed, or coco fiber mats on your floor because they may stain or damage the surface.

Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor. A combination of heat and sunlight causes most home furnishings, including vinyl floors, to fade or discolor. 

Support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors.  Ideally, the protectors should be at least 1” in diameter, made of non-pigmented hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor. 

Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum 3/4” flat surface width or greater are recommended for all moveable furniture. Make sure any floor protectors made of metal are rustproof.  Replace your narrow dome furniture rests with wide-bearing ones.

Cleaning Stains and Other Problems
The overall stain resistance of vinyl is excellent and most spills will wipe off quickly and easily with a clean white cloth. Removing certain substances may take a little extra effort. Always use a clean, white cloth for wiping up stains, and turn it frequently to avoid spreading the stain. Rinse with clean water and allow area to dry. Repeat if necessary.

Make sure you check your warranty before attempting to clean.

More Info...

USAA / Become a Member / Eligibility

USAA is all over the airwaves right now hunting for customers, and for good reason.  I’ve been a member since 1996, and I have all my insurance through them because they have the best customer service that I have ever experienced, not to mention rock solid stability.

I believe in this company because everything they do is for the customer, and when you call, you get answers.  Not only do they service on the phone, but they were servicing on the internet before most seemed to know it even existed.  Everything from posted paid envelopes for your deposits to fee reimbursements for ATMs that you utilize make them tops in the service arena.

At a point in time when companies like State Farm and Allstate are cancelling people left and right in the state of Florida, USAA has not cancelled one person—they actually stated that they would never cancel me in fact.  Further, they haven’t taken a cent in federal bailout money which is all the more reason in my book to patron them.  Self sufficiency is their mantra apparently, and in an apparent era of “what’s in it for me”, I find them to be a refreshing source of responsibility.  To top it all off, they give me a refund of premium every year on my insurance because they do so well—and they already have premiums 20% below anything else I’ve check out there, including GEICO.

Do yourself a favor and see if you are eligible.  USAA is a great institution.

USAA / Become a Member / Eligibility

Moisture and Your Home—Part 2

Previously, we touched on how to determine if you have moisture in your home, now we need to cover some of the ways to correct the moisture issues you found.  First and foremost, many are cut and dried and very simple, while some are more difficult and involved.  With leaky windows, drafty thresholds, and dripping pipes, the answers are simple, and most can be fixed by you.  The answer to resolving vapor in the home is somewhat more complex and involved.

The first prevention most homes normally employ is installed when the home is built, in the form of a plastic barrier underneath the foundation, if the home is built on concrete.  The problem comes when the concrete contractor pokes holes in the plastic to speed up the drying time—yes, it happens.  When the holes that ordinarily would not be there now are, all kinds of moisture issues can occur, almost none of which are immediate.  How do you know, and how do you fix it?

Before you install floors in your home, a moisture test is key and can be completed with the use of a simple moisture meter.  Increased levels indicate the need for another moisture barrier besides the one beneath the concrete foundation.  They come in various forms (roll on, paint on, peel and stick, etc.) and are rated for varying levels of vapor protection.  All vapor barriers allow a minimal amount of moisture vapor to come through, and your properly working air conditioning system will be capable of regulating it from there.

In a crawlspace type home where the house is elevated about the ground, ventilation is always required.  In cases where the moisture continues to migrate from the ground into the home unchecked, plastic can be placed on the ground in the crawlspace to reduce the moisture levels.  It does not eliminate the need for ventilation, however, and the general rule is to have at least 1.5 square feet of ventilation for every 100 square feet of your home.  When installing hardwood floors in your home, plastic must cover the ground in the crawl space, and if the minimum requirements are not met for ventilation, a mechanical ventilation system would need to be installed.  In the picture, an unidentified fungus is growing in a crawlspace with excessive moisture due to inadequate ventilation.  The humidity was above 70% and had caused the wood floors to cup throughout the entire home.

Whenever you look to put money into your home in the form of renovation, ensure you use a qualified contractor who will not shortcut the basic essentials of providing you a working product that will not give you trouble in the long run.  Ensure you are protected against moisture by knowing the signs of its presence, and do not ignore it.  Its negative impact upon your health and investment in the long run are incredible.

Crawl Space Moisture and How to Fix It

Make a Cow Happy and Head to Chic-Fil-A Friday!

Yes, here is a company who knows how to entertain while they feed you.  Chic-Fil-A made the cow a cool animal, and they did it without sacrificing values.  They shoot for a wholesome meal, are the only fast food restaurant with table service, and are still closed on Sundays!  Wow, that is a breath of fresh air in today’s never stop environment.

For the company that invented the chicken sandwich, I have to give some thanks for showing us all how to have fun while we eat.  We appreciate the great play areas that make the restaurant family friendly and place where kids can have fun.  My boys even call it “Chic Play”, and I’m not sure they even know the name is actually “Fil-A”…

Mr. Cathy did a great job preserving a family style environment with traditional values, and I’m certainly glad to see them rewarded for their accomplishments.  So, dress up like a cow and go get some free sandwiches today!

Make a Cow Happy and Head to Chic-Fil-A Friday!

Moisture and Your Home

Few things can be as unwelcome in your home besides moisture.  As a medium, it allows growth of many organisms like mold, mildew, and fungus, and it changes the very structure of your home, probably your biggest investment.  How do you know if you have moisture in your home; what are the signs to be aware of; and how do you correct the problem?  I hope to answer the first two questions while leaving the third for later.

Moisture usually exists in two states in your home: liquid and vapor (or gas).  Hopefully, your insulation, thresholds, and windows have done their job to keep the liquid out so that your only water source exists in your sinks, toilets, and bathtubs or showers.  In the same way, if your air conditioning system has done its job, then the vapor will be kept at a manageable level as well.  What if they do not though?  While the signs of moisture problems are not always obvious in the beginning, usually over time, they become very apparent.

Moisture intrusion in the home comes from many common places.  Ineffective door thresholds, leaking windows, dripping pipes, etc. allow water to get places where we do not want it to go.  Less obvious are the areas like your floor where water vapor passes up through the concrete from the ground below to get into your  home.  Water is all around us and our home, and believe it or not, in the proper amounts, it is a necessary stabilizing element in the environment.  It is only a problem in excessive amounts, but also a problem when there is not enough…

Several tell tale signs exist to let you know that you have a problem with moisture:

1. Discoloration of surfaces
2. Dampness to the touch
3. Rust or corrosion
4. Softness of wooden trims or moldings, esp. change in color or blackness
5. Change in form or shape of your flooring
6. Musty smells
7. Visible mold growth anywhere…
8. And many others

While the list above is not comprehensive, it goes a long way in pointing you in the right direction.  Excessive moisture can cause many problems if not corrected, and so can not enough moisture, but the problems vary widely.  I will tackle the corrections for moisture problems in a later post.  In the meantime, check out the link below for a good elaboration of everything I've written so far.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home from the US EPA

The Tile Letter

If you like to complete home projects yourself, particularly ceramic or porcelain tile, then you should appreciate a magazine such as this one.  I find it to be highly informative about both installation techniques, problems, issues, and products, and as the saying goes, “You can learn a lot from a dummy.”  Believe me, there is no shortage of learning from the mistakes of others, and frequently you will find a write up in the magazine that will talk about a disaster and how to prevent it in your own home, or place of business.

In my time in the business, I have seen numerous issues, and through numerous schools and training, I have learned how to prevent them from happening as well as fix them after they occur.  Perhaps the largest problem that I see on a regular basis is improper coverage of thinset on the back of the tile, insufficient to provide both a bond as well as support for the tile.  Both are critical.  Without good bond, the tile will release from the substrate, and without good support, the tile can collapse to the floor under normal weight conditions.

The biggest problem for the do-it-yourselfer is the ability to do the job right utilizing all the tips of the trade that come from years of experience.  If you are brave enough to try it yourself, I recommend that you study the process before conducting the actual installation.  Oh, and I forgot to mention, the second most common issue that i see all the time: failure to read and follow directions.  It works every time…

The Tile Letter, June 2009 edition

Florida Brave Fund

I learned of The Florida Brave Fund (FBF) of The Community Foundation of Jacksonville while speaking to the Operations Manager at the Naval Support Activity in Panama City, FL. I happened to be there that sunny morning representing the Navy League and watching a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Very motivating as well as moving…

I cannot say for certain if FBF is government supported, but whatever the case, it sounds like an excellent solution, or partial solution at least, for certain military families negatively impacted by extended deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Families may apply for grants by simply going to the website to find out the information. I included the website address here for your ease of access.

One of the many benefits that I enjoyed while being a part of the military was the numerous support mechanisms resident within our armed services. Beyond having access to many of the same private and non-private agencies that the general population accesses, we also had great agencies like this one as well as Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), etc. Our military is the best funded and supported organization in the world, and it is something to definitely be proud of!

North Region

Breathe For Clarity

When you find yourself in a challenging situation, whether it's dealing with an unhappy client on the phone or feeling overwhelmed by a bad tee shot, this exercise will help you stay grounded and positive.

You can do this exercise either seated or standing:

1. Think of someone, something or someplace you love.

2. Experience the joy that accompanies thinking about that person, thing or place.

3. Close your eyes. (Yes, you can do this at your desk! It only takes a few seconds).

4. With your mouth closed, take a deep breath in through your nose. As you inhale, feel the breath extending down all the way to the base of your spine.

5. Picture the person, thing or place. Keeping your mouth closed, release the breath slowly through your nose.

6. Repeat this exercise three times.

This breathing exercise will help you think and see more clearly, while increasing the positive feelings to help move you through your day with ease. You can even make this a habit. Practice it whenever you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

NFT (National Floor Trends) June 2009 Digital Edition

A decent industry magazine worth looking at. Sometimes they have some good product info, or maybe you just want to learn a little bit more about what we do…

NFT (National Floor Trends) June 2009 Digital Edition

We Salute Those Who Protect Our Freedom to Celebrate

I’ve been a member of the US Military, and I’m currently the President of the Navy League. As a Marine (there’s no such thing as an ex-Marine), I take a lot of pride in the Fourth of July!

Last night, I had the privilege of taking my family to the Navy Base for their fireworks celebration, and it was interesting to hear my oldest son, seven years old, ask so many questions about what the celebration was all about. As I explained to him, it’s our country’s birthday, and he quickly asked how old we were:)! It took me a few seconds to calculate the 233 years, and I think his response must have been “Wow” or “Oh” or something…

If you stop to think about how old this country is, I think you must be in awe of how far we have come, yet the journey has only just begun. Like our lives, the country lives one day at a time, and it is a living breathing organism with so much vibrancy and life that each generation exudes their own personality in the metamorphosis of our nation into something new every day.

Take time on the Fourth of July to remember those who went before and those who gave their lives for this country. Remember the Founding Fathers and the principles that the country was founded upon, so that even though our behavior changes, the principles will always be our compass to shape the way we are and what we become.

We Salute Those Who Protect Our Freedom to Celebrate

Benissimo Systems - Granite Solutions™ Modular-Slab Granite Tile

If you like the look of slab granite, but you’re looking to save money, Granite Solutions is a prime example of having your cake and eating it too. Most impressive are the looks that the granite pieces provide, and because of the pre-engineered bull nose pieces, Benissimo sacrifices no style.

The website is great too, especially if you are a do-it-yourselfer, in that it has tons of info about installation instructions as well as installation pictures taken at each step of the process. All this being said, you can have a granite countertop for as low as $14 per square foot which I believe is an amazing price considering slab granite runs about three times that price! Any way you slice it, Granite Solutions enables the do-it-yourselfer to complete an installation of elegant, professionally mitered granite with all the ease of a standard porcelain or ceramic tile installation.

All things considered, I love the on site pictures that they took the time to post in just about every customized situation you can think of, with every angle possible, and even instructions on how to accommodate an under-counter sink mount. Check it out, it is beautiful!

Benissimo Systems - Granite Solutions™ Modular-Slab Granite Tile - Benissimo Systems Website