http://www.carpet-rug.org/About-CRI/CRI-Blog/December-2013/Debunking-Carpet-Cleaning-Myths.aspx
Tag: Central vacuum systems
Not All Tile Installations Are The Same Even Though it May Appear That Way
This is true of most things in construction or in product, that what appears to be is the same.
Tile floors are no exception to this misconception when it comes to the actual final outcome.
Not all suppliers and trades go the distance for a host of reasons, to produce the best result.
Budget constraints, want of the sale, pure lack of knowledge or the notion that just because something has been done a certain way for years, it is all that is needed.
Failure of trades workmanship is not always known, as properties are fixed and sold, or the client just doesn’t know any better, that a short lived fix or renovation is not the way it should be, due to seeing and accepting the fact that short lived outcomes proliferate the renovation and building industry in general.
The idea may be, that a buck has to be made, so make it so it gets past five years looking reasonably good and the next person can deal with it then.
Therefore, if it is up to the next person to make it right, what might be considered?
Here we have Schluter- Ditra as a great option for tile installations that will stand the test of time. Of course, one has to consider the trade being used as well for the best result. If the trade is lacking understanding, even the best of product will not perform.
Here is information direct from the Schluter site.
Ceramic and stone tiles are durable, easy to maintain, and hygienic, representing the ideal surface coverings. However, today’s lightweight construction methods can make the installation of hard surface coverings particularly challenging. In order to protect the integrity of the tile assembly, an underlayment that performs multiple functions is required.
Schluter-DITRA is a polyethylene membrane with a grid structure of square cavities, each cut back in a dovetail configuration, and an anchoring fleece laminated to its underside. Schluter-DITRA is bonded to the substrate using thin-set mortar. The anchoring fleece on the underside of Schluter-DITRA is fully engaged in the mortar to provide a mechanical bond to the substrate. Tile is installed over Schluter-DITRA using the thin-bed method in such a way that the mortar becomes mechanically anchored in the square, cutback cavities of the Schluter-DITRA matting.
Designed specifically for ceramic tile and dimension stone installations, Schluter-DITRA serves as an uncoupling layer, waterproofing membrane, and vapor management layer that accommodates moisture from beneath the tile covering. Further, DITRA performs all these functions while still providing adequate support/load distribution for the tile covering.
a) Uncoupling
Tile has been successfully installed for thousands of years by incorporating an uncoupling layer, or forgiving shear interface, within the tile assembly. Schluter-DITRA provides uncoupling through its open rib structure, which allows for in-plane movement that effectively neutralizes the differential movement stresses between the substrate and the tile, thus eliminating the major cause of cracking and delaminating of the tiled surface.
b) Waterproofing
Schluter-DITRA provides reliable waterproofing in interior and exterior applications. Its polyethylene composition protects the substrate from moisture penetration, which is particularly important in today’s building environment where most substrates are moisture sensitive.
c) Vapor management
The distinguishing feature of Schluter-DITRA is the existence of free space created by the configured channels on the underside of the matting. The free space provides a route for excess moisture and vapor to escape from the substrate that could otherwise cause damage to the tile layer above. Thus, DITRA effectively manages moisture beneath the tile covering.
d) Support/load distribution
When placed on a solid foundation, columns or pillars can support tremendous loads. The same physical principle applies to Schluter-DITRA installations. Column like mortar structures are formed in the cutback cavities of the matting. Loads are transferred from the tile covering through these column-like mortar structures to the substrate. Since DITRA is virtually incompressible within the tile assembly, the advantages of uncoupling are achieved without sacrificing point load distribution capabilities. The ability of DITRA installations to support and distribute heavy loads while preserving the integrity of the tiled surface has been verified through extensive laboratory and field testing, including applications exposed to vehicular traffic.
There you have it!
At Least Seven Things You Need to Know About Rug Cleaning.
At Least Seven Things You Need to Know About Rug Cleaning.
First, Not all rugs are made the same. There are many different fibers used for the warp and weft yarns as well as the face fibers. Blended fibers are used for many rugs for feel, look, cost and a host of other possibilities in rug making. Most high quality rugs will be woven construction, while many lesser quality rugs will be tufted. Handwoven and tufted are different than machine woven or tufted. The value of a rug is determined by all of the variables described and also by who and where the rug will have been made, its age, sentimental value and much more.
Second, All of the variables, due to the structure and fibers used to complete a said rug, have a huge bearing on the cleaning process, that will be most effective to thoroughly clean the face fibers and the woven construction of most rug backings.
Third, Color stability is always something that has to be determined before a rug is cleaned. Dyes are not always the same and the use of dyes are varied with different fibers, making some stable, while others, subject to bleeding or crocking.
Fourth, Quality of a rug in relation to all the above, relates to the original cost of the product. Many times, the cost to clean an area rug purchased, is as much or more than the piece will have been purchased for. The cost of cleaning a textile is not subject to the the value of the piece and only relates to the required process to clean the piece properly.
Fifth, Not all cleaning services provide a proper cleaning process for rugs. Having a rug, cleaned on site when other cleaning is being done is a topical clean only, leaving the soil trapped and muddied in the woven base of most rugs. Thus when handled, rolled up and repositioned, a lot of fine sand and the like will be seen coming out of it onto the floor, or be on the floor already, to be seen as the piece is rolled up.
Sixth, All rugs need more than one process to be thoroughly cleaned to reduce the trapped dust and dirt in the tightly woven backing. Dust and dirt in rugs can amount to pounds trapped that needs to be removed, depending on size and duration of use between proper cleaning and if the cleaning processes, if any in between have in reality, added to the soil trapping, making a stiffened, mud filled woven back. After a thorough cleaning, a small trace of fiber dust may be visible due to handling, however very little if any, heavy dust.
Seventh, Many fine rugs may need to be dry-cleaned to preserve coloration. this process costs more, however, should be done before a rug gets heavily soiled, as it is not an immersion process. As a result, appearance is the first requirement, and the face fibers are the focus, thus a woven backing may still have dust trapped that will fall out during handling. This dust is fine and will not re-soil the rug. Dry vacuum the rug prior to use once placed and your good to go til next cleaning. Remember to have the rug cleaned more regularly for best care.
Alberta Outlaw in Sundre
On December 6th. we were driving through Sundre Ab, heading to the Tim’s and I spotted a man riding a horse. Kind-a-nice to see I said to my wifee and daughter as I acknowledged his existence. I wasn’t sure my bride of 30 3/4 years and daughter, almost 18, had seen him. This was short lived, as I saw him now coming through the door of the Tim’s we had just settled down in to have a bite and coffee. I saw this darkly clad fellow saunter through the door and I say, that’s the guy. He heads in toward the counter, out of site from where we sat, then all to our surprise, there he was, looming over my daughter and wife, quite friendly in his introduction. I could tell he had gotten used to coming up to folk, just as he was doing now and I settled into hearing his story as it poured from his conviction in purpose. He was on a ride to raise awareness of mental disease that in our research, we agreed was a very important cause to understand, as we had just read, one in four are affected by this and is most commonly major depression, that becomes life threatening. He himself had gone through it and was now, after, realizing how his life had almost come to terms, was spared and now was the time to live for purpose and help those with or without the disease come to be understanding. He Road into a local Restaurant with his horse, Drifter and laid down under, right at the reception desk. A nice show for the people. The excited children, made it worth the outlaws time. He road back out to the parking lot where the owner and others could get acquainted and have some pictures.
At Tim’s,
On His way to the Restaurant, Getting seen.
Riding into the Restaurant.
Getting ready for a little show to excite the patrons. Kids loved it!
Down under, Camera’s are out, Picture time!
Show over inside.
Pictures were taken out in the parking lot by those who desired.
What to know when purchasing a central vacuum system.
Healthy Home Benefits of Owning a Central Vacuum System
Healthy Home Benefits of Owning a Central Vacuum System.
With a Central Vacuum System you have a modern household appliance suited to busy family life-styles.
Central Vacuum Systems are equipped with self-cleaning filters, many from the makers of Gore-Tex Fabric (known as the best in filtration to date). So the central vacuum system will always be at optimal cleaning performance. Purchase of vacuum filter bags is optional for those who desire the optimum in filtration and unit maintenance. Central Vacuum Systems are designed for high durability and longevity.
Central Vacuum Systems remove virtually all the dirt, dust, and debris from the living area to the collection bucket, and the clean filtered air is exhausted from the power unit to the outside. Many units are designed to be installed without the need to vent outdoors as a result of improved filtration systems. The resulting benefit is, Central Vacuum Systems create a better indoor living climate and highly reduce allergy symptoms.
Central Vacuum Systems use tubing installed in the walls of your home to carry dirt, dust and allergens away from living areas to the central power unit and collection canister located in your chosen area such as the garage or mechanical room.
To activate the system, plug the hose into the wall inlet. (An average home has three inlets.) The flexible lightweight hose and inlet system allow you to move from room to room for easy whole-house cleaning convenience. Power units located outside of the living area keep things quiet in the living areas.
Central vacuum systems remove100% of contacted dust, mites, pollen, animal dander and other allergens, and are superior to conventional vacuums in providing relief from allergy symptoms.
High quality Central Vacuum Systems require no filters or screens to clean or replace and utilize permanent self-cleaning filtration material.
( GORE-TEX fabric being the choice for best filtration).
By using cyclonic forces to separate larger dirt particles and allergens from vacuumed air, the permanent filter can remove particles at a stunning 98% efficiency at 0.3 microns.
Dust particles do not stick to self-cleaning filter surfaces like conventional filter media. And most importantly, power is not lost as the bucket fills up, allowing high level performance time after time.
You will be making a wise choice to invest in your families health by creating a healthy home environment with a built-in central vacuum system.
Be sure to shop out the differences in quality for filtration issues, size of unit appropriate for the application, size and quality of hose and power-heads and other accessories that you will be needing.
Make your choice a good one.
Ron Preston
Brooks Vacuum and Flooring Products (consumer education) 