The problem with showers…and the right fix…

OK, so what is all the fuss about getting a custom shower?  It is a fair question, not without merits.  A custom shower is an investment, and it is not one to be taken lightly.  Did you know that in comparison to a rain forest, your shower receives more water on a yearly basis?  In fact, the dishwasher in your home probably does not process as much water as your shower.  Given these facts, ask yourself how much it is worth to ensure you have the right materials first and, not least importantly, the right technician second.

Have you ever seen an improperly assembled, custom shower?  When you do, you will never forget it because behind the wall is a black, nasty mess.  If you are on an upper floor, the first people to realize you have a leak will be the people below you, but if you live on the ground floor, you stand a good chance of never knowing it unless the mold starts infiltrating the inside of the shower or you decide to replace the existing tile.

You may wonder how anyone can install a leaky shower.  The correct answer is that no one installs a leaky shower if they do it right!  Properly installed, a moisture membrane prevents all water from penetrating the surrounding walls and touching the studs.  The problem some tile mechanics have is that they never learned to properly prepare a shower for tile.  Many installers continue to believe that the materials used in the shower are actually waterproof when in fact they are not.

Most installers believe that concrete board and backer boards are waterproof.  This is an extreme misconception.  The boards are designed to stay together in water and not fall apart, but they absolutely do not keep water from passing through it.  There are a few water proof boards on the market.  Georgia Pacific makes one call Denshield, and it actually has a moisture membrane on the front of the board.  When you use the other boards though, you have to install a moisture barrier between the board and the studs.  Many installers are ignorant of this fact.

Another tool for you to think about is a shower system.  Shower systems are sold and marketed by certain companies to integrate with your tile in any set of circumstances.  The two main ones that I know of are Schluter Systems and Wedi.  Since our work involves Schluter extensively , I will spend my time talking about it.

The Schluter System comes with a preformed tray to place in the bottom of the shower.  Since one of the hardest tasks for an installer is providing the proper gradient to the drain in order to prevent puddling, Schluter Systems rectified this with a pre-sloped pan.  You would not believe the amount of people who overlook the necessity of a pre-slope underneath the normal shower pan.  In fact, since it is not part of the building code in some parts of the country, it is not done at all most of the time.  The pre-slope that I am talking about actually includes filling the place where the shower is located with a sloped bed of rocks or cement prior to the plumber’s installation of the rubber pan.  The rubber pan actually sits on top of the bed, and once the pre-slope is installed, water actually will run down the face of the pan into the drain.  Done without the pre-slope, the water will sit in the pan creating a moist donut shaped area around the drain where fungus and mold will love to hang out.

Once you install the tray, the Schluter kit comes with a special integrated bonding flange for the drain as well as a slip in drain that is square for ease of integration into the tile floor.  Once the tray and flange are in place, the installer simply applies the Kerdi on the walls, floor, and curb to produce an orange looking shower before tile goes in.  The key to the entire system is Kerdi which is an orange polyethylene film bonded to a layer of fleece on the front and back.  The fleece provides a bonding surface to stick to the wall and to stick to the tile.  The polyethylene layer provides 100% water tightness, even in an overlap situation.  Schluter tested their system with a four to six inch overlap and documented no seepage; therefore, they do not require you to use entire sheets of Kerdi at one time.  You simply seal it by overlapping the sheets a minimum of four inches.

Once the Kerdi is installed, the shower is ready for tile.  Place the tile in position, install the drain, grout the tile, and you are ready to take a shower.  The Schluter System really is the best on the market.  For more information on Schluter Systems, visit www.CarpetOnePanamaCity.com or www.schlutersystems.com.  Sign up for more information and to be on our mailing list.

You can buy these products at Carpet One Floor & Home which is an authorized reseller of Schluter Systems.

Resista Carpet @ Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

 

Resista™ SoftStyle
Silky smooth comfort with a twist … repels stains like water off a duck’s back! Treat yourself to the superior softness, stain resistance, and lasting beauty of Resista™ SoftStyle carpet. Special soft-to-the-touch yarn technology gives it an extraordinary silky soft feel, while tighter twists and heavier weights offer exceptional toughness.
Made to look beautiful no matter how you live, Resista™ SoftStyle features a 10-YEAR NO EXCLUSION STAIN WARRANTY against ALL food and beverages, which covers most accidental household stains that most other warranties exclude such as coffee, red wine, and fruit punch. Plus, with over 60 coordinating colors in three different themes, Resista™ SoftStyle is designed to complement and enhance your lifestyle throughout your home. Trust Resista™ SoftStyle for soft comfort and lasting beauty that’s a step ahead of anything else.

Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

Relax, It’s Lees Stain Proof Carpet |Panama City,FL

  LEES®
Relax, it’s Lees® … a carpet like no other with a warranty to match!
Discover the perfect combination of beauty and worry-free toughness. Lees® carpet is designed to fit the world you live in with ground-breaking stain protection and lasting construction. Available in a range of styles and colors for every taste and need, Lees® carpet features Ultra 25® with Scotchgard™ Protector – stain protection so strong it’s backed by the exclusive “NO EXCLUSIONS” ULTRA 25® STAIN WARRANTY which covers stains other carpet warranties don’t: pet stains, grease, mustard, coffee, cola and more. That’s beauty with peace of mind.
In addition, the patented ExtraLoc® backing has double the density of standard carpet construction for extraordinary stability and strength. Count on Lees® carpet for unmatched beauty and performance in your home.

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Good Housekeeping Carpet Featuring Resista |Panama City,FL

Good Housekeeping™ featuring Resista™
Tough stain resistance with beautiful style … durable carpet never looked so good!
Looking for an exceptional value in carpet you can count on to bring lasting beauty to your home? You’ve found it in the revolutionary stain resistance and unparalleled performance of Good Housekeeping™ carpet featuring Resista™ fibers.
The latest in advanced generation stain repellency, Resista™ gives this Good Housekeeping™ carpet a 10-YEAR NO EXCLUSIONS STAIN WARRANTY against ALL food and beverages. Plus Good Housekeeping™ carpet featuring Resista™ is made to the high standards of a name you know and trust. Evaluated and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute, it has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. For beauty, performance and value, depend on Good Housekeeping™ carpet featuring Resista™.

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Flooring Care & Maintenance Laminate

Laminate flooring brings the beauty of a natural wood floor and the easy maintenance of a resilient floor together so you can have the style you want and the carefree maintenance you need. While laminate flooring is remarkably durable, there is of course no such thing as an indestructible flooring material. By observing the following precautions, you can expect years of beauty from your laminate floor.

For general cleaning, use a dust mop or wipe occasionally with a damp cotton or cloth mop. If heavier cleaning is needed, an occasional damp mopping with a mild cleaning product is suggested. Do not use soap or detergent-based cleaners, wax-based products, or any type of polish as they leave a dull, filmy residue. Do not flood your floor with water.

To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATERBAR HEAD.

Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt and gravel that may scratch your floor.

Place protective pads beneath furniture legs, tables, and other easily movable furniture to reduce scratches. Replace plastic casters on chairs with rubber wheels, and lift rather than slide heavy objects across the floor.

Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spiked or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause damage to laminate floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.

As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to help keep sand, dirt, and grit off your laminate floor.

General Terms and Conditions may apply, see warranty section for details

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Flooring Care & Maintenance Ceramic Tile

Ceramic products, for the most part, require minimal maintenance.Glazed and unglazed tile, under normal residential situations, can be cleaned using clean water and a tile cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Always follow up with a rinse of clean water to completely remove all the cleaning solution. Regular maintenance is recommended to avoid build-up of dirt, residue, grease, soap, detergents, or other external contaminants.

Improper maintenance and improper cleaning products can result in a build-up on the surface, causing the tile to be slippery. Wax cleaners and oil-based detergents may decrease the slip resistance and are not recommended for use on your ceramic tile.

For basic cleaning, the following procedures are recommended:

1. Sweep or vacuum surface
2. Mix water with tile and grout cleaner per manufacturer's instructions and apply to surface
3. Allow solution to sit for three to five minutes
4. Agitate with sponge or mop
5. Mop up solution
6. Rinse mop and change cleaning solution at least every 500 square feet
7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
8. Dry mop floor to remove moisture or pick up residue with a wet-vac
9. Wipe the floor dry

For tile with coarse or abrasive type surfaces, maintenance will need to be performed more frequently. Agitation will need to be more vigorous and water changes more frequent. Proper cleaning of these types of tile is necessary for the slip resistance value to be maintained. Grease or water accumulation may create slippery conditions. Be careful to avoid introduction of grease from dirty mops to your floor surface while cleaning.

Because the grout on your ceramic tile needs time to thoroughly dry after installation, we recommend you do not scrub or wash your ceramic tile for five days after installation. We also recommend protecting your floor against abrasive dirt at entrances to buildings with dirt catching floor mats.

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Flooring Care & Maintenance Hardwood

Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear overtime, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor.

Never clean or mop your hardwood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap, or paste wax products; or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty.

Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATER BARHEAD.

Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture, or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances.

Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring.Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1" continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for protecting your hardwood floor.

A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity in the summer months.

Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.

Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to hardwood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.

As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease, and oil off your hardwood floor.

General Terms and Conditions may apply, see warranty section for details

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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

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

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.

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