9 Essential Laminate Flooring Tools

Chances are you already may have most, if not all of the laminate flooring tools you need to install or repair your laminate flooring. But if you are considering a flooring project, here’s a list of the most basic ones you’ll need to get it done right. Any tools on the list that you don’t have can also likely be rented for a lot less money than an outright purchase if this is a one-off project.

Pry Bars

A good solid pry bar or flat bar is a good tool to have for many different types of household repairs. For laminate flooring, it’s used to remove decorative trim and molding from around the room.

Level

Another good tool to always have. A level will help you ensure that you lay the floor evenly. Houses aren’t perfect, and it’s often possible to be working with an area that just isn’t straight. The level will help you spot these areas before you lay down a potential eyesore.

Screwdrivers

You will need both a flat head and a phillip’s head screwdriver for installing or repairing any flooring. You can wedge a flat head under trim to loosen it, and if you have any trim that’s been attached with screws, the phillip’s head will aide you in removing those.

Miter Box

Chances are if you are installing laminate flooring you will need to cut corners and angles at some point. A miter box will help you create the angles without making mistakes. Miter boxes are another great tool to have in your home or tool shed for other repairs as well.

Belt Sander

A belt sander can come in handy for sanding down the sub-flooring. Even though laminate flooring is considered a floating floor, meaning it can be installed on top of any type of sub-floor, it’s best to have a smooth, even surface.

Spacers

Your home will actually react to the conditions and weather. Age and temperature can make walls expand and retract. Spacers are necessary for installing laminate flooring to account for these subtle fluctuations because they allow expansion around the walls and other immovable objects.

Tapping Block

While a tapping block is not necessary to complete the project, it’s certainly useful. It’s a tool designed to fit over the plank and allow you to tighten joints with gentle tapping. Without a tapping block, you may struggle to get the tongues of the planks to snap in correctly and with ease.

Installation Straps and Clamps

If you’ve purchased a kit, chances are that it has included these items, which are only needed if you use glue or other adhesive to hold the planks down. The clamps will keep the rows from shifting or moving while you install the flooring. The straps do the same thing, extending across the floor to keep everything tight and snug. They also help to prevent any shifting from occurring during installation.

Pencil or China Marker

While you are installing your floor you will be taking measurements throughout. You need to be able to mark holes and lines. China markers are non-permanent, so the lines can be cleaned up easily after installation. The same applies to pencils.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Remove a Linoleum Floor vs Cover a Linoleum Floor

If you are remodeling your kitchen, you may question whether it is better to Remove a linoleum floor vs cover a linoleum. There are a few things to take into consideration before you make the decision.

Amount of Work

Either project will require a lot of work although generally it may be easier to cover the floor than to remove the floor. Removing old linoleum involves making sure it doesn’t contain lead, scraping glue and disposing of all the flooring. You also will need to make sure the subloor is in good shape or it will also need to be replaced before putting new flooring on top of it.

Condition of Old Floor

If there are missing pieces of linoleum or deep cuts or tears you can still cover the floor with new linoleum but first you should fill in these places with floor leveler. This is a compound something like grout that can be purchased at any home improvement store. New linoleum needs a smooth surface to wear well.

If the subfloor doesn’t seem solid or if the linoleum seems to be crumbling, there is a moisture or rot problem and the linoleum should be removed before installing new.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Cheshire Tile Expert Shows how to Renovate an Old Quarry Tiled Floor

The client from Northwich got in touch regarding their Quarry tiled floor which ran throughout the ground floor and was in a bit of a sorry mess after renovations. Clearly in need of some attention it required a deep clean and new sealer to restore the colour and its general appearance.

I went over to do a site visit and discovered that although the location was rather idyllic it was going to present a challenge due to its location; this former lock-keepers cottage on the River Weaver had no vehicle access to it. The nearest road was a quarter of a mile away across two narrow footbridges and then a towpath. In the end I worked out the best way to get our equipment to the cottage would be in two wheelbarrows!

None the less, were always up for a challenge so after survey the floor I worked out a price for the work which would take two days. Happy with my quote we agreed a date for the work to commence and I organised the wheelbarrows.

Cleaning a Quarry Tiled Ground Floor

We loaded up the wheelbarrows on the first day and set off across the footbridges to the cottage. We must have looked a little odd doing this as we got a few funny looks on the way. I guess with Tile Doctor you never know what the next job will be, but the effort was appreciated by the owner who had a nice coffee waiting when we arrived at the front door.

We gave the floors a good brush removing the builders rubbish and plaster and then working in sections sprayed the Quarry tiles with a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go. This product is a multipurpose alkaline stripper/cleaner specifically designed for use on tile and stone. It was left to dwell and soak into the dirt for twenty minutes before being mechanically scrubbed into the the tiles using a buffing machine fitted with a black stripping pad running at slow speed. This removed the dirt, plaster dust and traces of old red tile paint from the tiles. The slurry generated was then removed using an industrial wet vacuum.

After the initial clean the floor was inspected and any stubborn areas were retreated using a repeat of the cleaning process, hand scrubbing where needed. Finally, the floor was given an acid wash with a dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up to help further clean-up the tiles and neutralise any salts in tile which can be a problem on old floors like this that do not have a damp proof membrane. The floor was then left to dry over night before returning the next morning.

Sealing a Quarry Tiled Ground Floor

The next day we returned and started by testing the floors with a damp meter to make sure the floor was dry and ready to seal; if the floor is damp the sealer will not cure properly and can result and in a patchy appearance.

The sealer which we selected to use on this floor was Tile Doctor Seal and Go Extra which is a breathable low sheen sealer which will allow any moisture in the sub floor to rise unimpeded up through the tile and not become trapped underneath where it can spread to the walls and lead to rising damp.

After a few coats, the floor looked transformed, and our client was over the moon with their restored original floor which was a great period feature. Cleaning up took a short while as we had to transport all our equipment back in the wheelbarrows, but we took a moment to admire the lovely view on the way out.

 

Source: Quarry Tile Floor Restoration Service in Cheshire

How to Lay Rubber Flooring Tiles

Rubber flooring tiles have long been used because of their durability and noise absorption qualities. Many homeowners are now using rubber floor tiles in area like home gyms, bathrooms, and kids playrooms. Rubber flooring is made from recycled rubber, making it a green choice for the home. These tiles last for decades and are easy to clean. Laying these kinds of tiles is an easy process since they interlock and don’t require an adhesive. They are also easy to cut and some systems require no cutting at all.

What You’ll Need

• Vacuum
• Broom
• Rubber tiles
• Chalk Line
• Utility Knife
• Steel Ruler
• How to Install Tiles

Step 1 – Clean the Floor

Sweep or vacuum the floor where the tiles are to be laid. It should not have any dust, oil or debris on it when you begin laying the tiles.

Step 2 – Prepare the Guidelines

Use a chalk line to make a line 2 feet from the wall. Then, make another chalk line 2 feet out from the wall adjoining it. You now have two lines intersecting at a 90 degree angle.

Step 3 – Lay the Tiles

Use this grid to begin laying the tiles. Interlock the tiles as you lay them. The outside of the room nearest the walls will be laid last. Continue laying the tiles and interlocking them until you have covered the entire floor except for the perimeter.

Step 4 – Lay the Edge Tiles

Once the room is covered, you will fit the tiles in the perimeter of the room. Lay the tiles and cut them as necessary to fit into the space, using the utility knife and straight edge. You should not butt the tiles up too close to the wall. Manufacturers recommend that you leave a gap that equals the thickness of the tiles. The floor needs this extra space so that it can expand as needed.

Other Tips

These tiles are not meant to be used with any adhesive. This makes them easy to remove or replace if one becomes damaged. If it is necessary to secure them to the floor, use carpet tape that is double sided under the tiles around the edge of the room to minimize movement. Do not use any glue or adhesive since the tiles do need to contract and expand and are interlocked.

There are kits available that require no cutting. They have tiles designed to be placed at the corner of the room and make a border around the perimeter. Then, regular tiles are laid in the center to complete the floor. When ordering this kind of kit, careful measurements of the room should be taken, and the room should be relatively straight with no walls out of alignment.

Rubber flooring tiles can be a functional and attractive part of the home. They are a popular choice, especially in modern homes. They come in various colors and styles and can be made into interesting patterns. The ease of installation makes them a perfect do-it-yourself project.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

6 Reasons to Consider Installing Porcelain Floor Tiles

Porcelain floor tiles are commonly installed in laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and places with heavy foot traffic such as an office building or a mail. Porcelain floor tiles are known for its durability, strength and other factors. Here are 6 reasons to consider installing porcelain floor tiles.

1 – Durability
Porcelain floor tiles are durable and do not wear and tear easily making it ideal in office buildings and malls where there is heavy foot traffic. Porcelain floor tiles are also chip resistant.

2 – Strength
Porcelain tile flooring can handle as much weight per inches as natural stone flooring. Porcelain tiles are composed of clay and feldspar.

3 – Clean
Since porcelain floor tiles are predominantly made of clay and clay is not a good habitat for germs and bacteria, having porcelain floor tiles in your kitchen is hygienic.

4 – Easy to Clean
You can use any type of cleaning solutions to clean porcelain floor tiles including acid-based solutions.

5 – Waterproof
Porcelain floor tiles do not have absorb water making it an ideal flooring option in areas where water is normally present such as laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens.

6 – Fireproof
Porcelain floor tiles are fireproof providing a house or any structure additional protection in the event of fires.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com