Drying Wet Carpet: Ask The Home Flooring Pros

In this edition of Ask the Home Flooring Pros we tackle the daunting question of how to dry wet carpet after a water damage event, whether it be a burst pipe or external flooding. Although the sight of saturated wet carpet can be overwhelming there are steps you can take to rescue the situation.

When you come home and find wet carpets, the most important thing to do is to react quickly to fix the problem. Getting the water out of your carpets as fast as possible can help prevent further damage to furniture, subflooring and walls, as well as prevent the growth of dangerous mold. Prompt water extraction and removal is key to the health of your home and family.

Here are the steps you need to take:

1. Locate the source of the water leak (if that is the cause of your wet carpet) and turn it off if possible. If, for some reason, you can’t, get a professional to help as soon as possible. Emergency call out costs are high but will save you money in the long term.

2. Remove any furniture or household items from the wet areas. Getting furniture out of the way makes it easier to deal with wet carpeting, and it also prevents further damage to both the furniture and to the carpeting.

3. If the wet area is small, you can start by using towels to absorb the water. Put it over the area and walk over the towel. Wring out or replace the towel as necessary.

4. If it’s a larger wet area, such as in a basement, a wet vacuum can begin to get some of the water out. Use large commercial fans and dehumidifiers to help with water extraction. The drying process can take between 24 – 48 hours if the carpet padding has gotten wet but not soaked. Commercial sized fans and water extraction vacuums can be rented to help remove most of the water.

5. Diatomaceous earth , which is also referred to as cat sand, can be applied generously to carpeting in order to aid water extraction. This substance, which is natural, is non-toxic to humans and pets and will absorb much of the water. Once you lay a liberal amount of it down, you can use a rake or a large broom move it around until the area is no longer wet. Diatomaceous earth can be swept up, dried, and used again as long as there is no other debris in it.

6. To help inhibit mold growth , you can sprinkle the laundry additive borax over the carpet. This substance is also natural and tends to be gentle on most carpets.

7. Here’s the test to see if your carpet is dry. If you hear a sloshing sound or feel wetness or squishiness under your feet, there is still water present beneath the carpet in the padding or even in the subfloor. Both of these can cause damage and mold when left untreated. If in a small area, you can lift the corner of the carpet and use fans to dry the padding and sub flooring. If the soaking is extensive, then the carpeting and padding must be removed to either dry or to be completely replaced.

8. In many cases, the best course of action is to call in a professional to help deal with wet carpets instead of doing it yourself. Many homeowners’ insurance policies will cover such a service depending on how your carpet got wet in the first place. A homeowner’s policy may cover the price of the service and the cost of replacing the carpet, padding or baseboards if necessary.

A company specializing in water removal will know just how to dry a wet carpet, as well as floors, walls and other areas, safely and prevent any future mold growth. Before making a choice of who to go with, be sure to check to see if their service is guaranteed to dry the carpet, padding and floors. It’s a good sign if they are bonded, affiliated with any professional organizations in their industry, have testimonials on their website, or will offer references.

Remember, wet carpets left untreated will lead to mold growth! For the safety of your home and family, dry wet carpet as soon as possible.

Have you got a question for the Home Flooring Pros? Get in touch and let us know.

Today’s advice comes from water and flood damage pro Michael at www.serviceproslocal.com

The article or page: Drying Wet Carpet: Ask The Home Flooring Pros first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165578570006 on www.customorderflooring.com

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How to lay carpet
Looking for more flooring ideas? Visit https://www.carpetone.com.au/

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165561255296 on www.customorderflooring.com

How to Remove Baseboards – Ask the Home Flooring Pros

There’s more to installing your own flooring than the actual laying of the floor itself. Preparing the subfloor, dealing with floor transitions and, today’s topic, removing baseboards are all skills you will need if you plan to do the work yourself. As ever, we recommend that you get a couple of free estimates from local contractors to give yourself a clear idea of the cost and time advantages (or disadvantages) of a diy installation.

So today on Ask the Home Flooring Pros  we’re going to take you through the step by step process of baseboard removal…a skill which will ensure you don’t end up making more work for yourself due to damaged walls.

How to Remove Baseboard

We’ll assume that you will reuse the baseboard once you’ve installed your new flooring. If you’ve got new baseboard planned, you can be much more aggressive in tearing out the old. Here’s how to remove baseboard without damaging the wall or the trim.

Tools for removing baseboard:

Utility knife

Trim puller or small prybar

Claw hammer

Pliers

Permanent marker

Follow these step-by-step baseboard removal instructions for a quick, easy job.

Step One: There’s a good chance the painted drywall is stuck to the baseboard trim, and it will tear if not cut first, creating a patch-and-paint task. Instead, score the wall using the utility knife. Hold it at a slight downward angle, so that the cut you make into the wall will be behind the baseboard when reinstalled.

Step Two: Start near a corner, and insert the teeth of the prybar or trim puller behind the top edge of the baseboard. It might require a light tap from a hammer or mallet. Gently rotate the handle downward to pry the baseboard away from the wall from that point to the next fastener. A common mistake is to push the handle toward the wall to force off the board. That technique will dent the wall above where the baseboard will cover requiring more patching and painting!

Step Three: This step is for those planning to reuse the baseboard. When a full piece of baseboard comes off the wall, number the back of it with the marker for easier re-installation.

Step Four: Move to the next nail, and pry the baseboard off it. In most cases, the nail will remain secure in the stud and its head will pull through the baseboard. Repeat the techniques of removing and numbering pieces until all the baseboard is off.

Step Five: Use the claw hammer or pliers to remove the old nails (preferred) or drive them into the studs so that the head is not left sticking up at all.

Remember that you will be replacing the baseboards after you have installed your flooring so you will need new nails and quite possibly more paint for retouching damaged paint work. If after removing the baseboards you find that they are damaged in anyway then now would be a good time to buy and install new baseboards as they aren’t expensive.

The article or page: How to Remove Baseboards – Ask the Home Flooring Pros first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165543854221 on www.customorderflooring.com

Best flooring options for family homes...

Best flooring options for family homes http://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/home/renovations/renovating-these-are-the-best-flooring-options-for-families

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165540415831 on www.customorderflooring.com

Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018

If you’re looking for a new vacuum cleaner, the chances are that you’ve come across the Dyson brand – since it’s humble beginnings in the heartland of rural England, this brand has become a global leader in vacuum cleaning technology that continues to innovate the industry.

So what exactly makes a Dyson vacuum so very different from any other kind? Well, that would be the cyclonic vacuum technology that James Dyson developed back in the early 1980s. Using a cyclonic vacuum allowed for much more efficient suction and meant that vacuum bags were no longer required. Dyson was the first to introduce bagless vacuum cleaners to the market, a novelty that has now been copied by countless other vacuum brands.

But whilst there are now many other bagless vacuum cleaners on the market, the Dyson models stand out for their distinct industrial design and continued commitment to innovation, recently demonstrated by the new Ball series of cleaners that pivot on a sphere for more fluid movement.

Dyson also offer a full range of different vacuum cleaners including cordless, handheld, upright or canister models with some that are specifically designed for households with pets and for dust allergy sensitivity. So which Dyson is the best for your home and your particular cleaning needs?

Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Overall:  Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum gets our vote as the overall number 1 best Dyson vacuum. Note that our users generally prefer the Dyson canister models over the upright models as they found them easier to maneuver and better for getting into the corners of the room. Users also liked the fact that the cord retracted into the unit for storage, unlike the Dyson upright vacuums where the cord is wound around two hooks on the neck of the cleaner. Other pros for the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal include:

The cinetic cyclone technology means that there is no filter so you never, ever have to replace or clean a dusty, yucky filter!

Superior suction: this vacuum comes with an extra turbine tool attachment that is excellent for removing pet hair, and will not tangle or snag on upholstery.

The Ball technology has improved stability so that it will not topple over – even if you’re going at full speed whizzing around your house in emergency clean-up mode!

The carbon fiber turbine head automatically adapts to every floor type – hardwood floors, tiles, carpets or rugs – without you having to flip any switches.

Suction control button on the handle makes it easy to ease suction strength if needed.

Ability to attach two extra tools to the wand.

Decent capacity bin – 0.42 gallons to be precise, means you don’t have to empty it that often.

Best Cordless Dyson:  Dyson V8 Absolute

The best selling Dyson V8 Absolute is the latest version of the Dyson cordless models and has a few upgrades on the old V6 model, the most useful being that it has a longer run time of 40 minutes. Users also said that the improved system for emptying the vacuum bin did make it easier to use.  It was also appreciated that the vacuum comes with two different head types – one for carpet and the other for hard floors. Other pros for the V8 Absolute include:

You’re actually getting 2 items for the price of 1 as the additional tools mean you can transform it to a small handheld vacuum cleaner – great for cleaning stairs, inside your car and tricky items like computer keyboards!

Integrated HEPA filtration means it captures allergens and makes the air cleaner.

Ability to switch to max power mode for higher suction (note that this mode only lasts up to 7 minutes)

It’s worth noting that a cordless Dyson is not necessarily better than a more “traditional” upright or canister models, especially as it only has a bin volume of 0.14 gallons. Some users felt that this machine would not be their go-to option for vacuum cleaning the whole house, but they would use it as an addition to traditional vacuum cleaners, rather like a motorized broom.

Best Upright Dyson:  Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright

Whilst our users preferred Dyson’s canister vacuum cleaner, the consensus was that if they had to choose an upright they would go with the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 because, at 15.6 pounds, this is the lightest standard size Dyson upright (the Small Ball is lighter, but also has smaller bin capacity).  One other feature that was welcome was that the hose and wand combo behind the bin did allow users to vacuum room corners as well as reach up to ceilings to remove cobwebs. Some other advantages of this model include:

The Ball technology makes it easy to turn corners and get into difficult places.

The cleaning head adjusts automatically to suit different flooring types – it can be used on carpets, wood, vinyl and tiled floors.

As with all Dysons the bin is super easy to empty – just push a button and the end releases.

However, many users complain that the overall design is a bit clunky and not that seamless swapping from upright use to hose use; and some people do not like having to wind the power cord by hand around the back hooks – they would rather there were a retractable cord option.

Best Dyson for Pets

As cited above, the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister vacuum is our overall favorite Dyson, for its superior maneuverability and suction – numerous customer review attest to the fact that it has no problem with cleaning up any amount of pet hairs and the supplied extra turbine tool is great on upholstery.

If your mind is set on an upright, then the Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright is the next best option (see image right) – it has a mega 270 air watts of suction power, which can handle even the stickiest of pet fur. This is actually a bit more than the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal canister vacuum, but the upright loses points for not being as easy to maneuver.

Best Dyson for Allergy

Families who suffer from allergies should serious consider the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Plus Allergy vacuum cleaner.  It is the one Dyson that has been specially designed to deal with both airborne allergens and pet dander – the two most common sources of allergies. The machine’s main feature is that it has a whole-machine HEPA filtration system that ensures allergens cannot be expelled back into the home during vacuuming.

And as well as the upholstery tool this vacuum cleaner also comes with some well-thought through tools to help clean tricky places where allergens can get trapped, including: a mattress tool, a dusting brush, a stair tool, and a two tools designed to reach under into crevices, or above onto the top of shelves.

It is worth noting that Dyson also has cordless vacuums and canister vacuum with HEPA filtration for allergy sufferers too.

Best Dyson for Wood Floors:  Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro

The cordless Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro vacuum cleaner has been specifically designed for hard floors made of wood or tile. It can deal with both large dirt particles and fine dust and as well as the direct-drive cleaner head for carpets, it has a soft roller cleaner head that is much kinder on wooden floors.

The downside with the V6 is that it only runs for about 20 minutes before needed to be recharged, so not ideal if you have a large home with wooden floors.

You can also read our post for the best vacuum for tile floors .

The article or page: Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018 first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165539679301 on www.customorderflooring.com

Cheap Flooring in Penrith, NSW

Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018

If you’re looking for a new vacuum cleaner, the chances are that you’ve come across the Dyson brand – since it’s humble beginnings in the heartland of rural England, this brand has become a global leader in vacuum cleaning technology that continues to innovate the industry.

So what exactly makes a Dyson vacuum so very different from any other kind? Well, that would be the cyclonic vacuum technology that James Dyson developed back in the early 1980s. Using a cyclonic vacuum allowed for much more efficient suction and meant that vacuum bags were no longer required. Dyson was the first to introduce bagless vacuum cleaners to the market, a novelty that has now been copied by countless other vacuum brands.

But whilst there are now many other bagless vacuum cleaners on the market, the Dyson models stand out for their distinct industrial design and continued commitment to innovation, recently demonstrated by the new Ball series of cleaners that pivot on a sphere for more fluid movement.

Dyson also offer a full range of different vacuum cleaners including cordless, handheld, upright or canister models with some that are specifically designed for households with pets and for dust allergy sensitivity. So which Dyson is the best for your home and your particular cleaning needs?

Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Overall: Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum gets our vote as the overall number 1 best Dyson vacuum. Note that our users generally prefer the Dyson canister models over the upright models as they found them easier to maneuver and better for getting into the corners of the room. Users also liked the fact that the cord retracted into the unit for storage, unlike the Dyson upright vacuums where the cord is wound around two hooks on the neck of the cleaner. Other pros for the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal include:

• The cinetic cyclone technology means that there is no filter so you never, ever have to replace or clean a dusty, yucky filter!
• Superior suction: this vacuum comes with an extra turbine tool attachment that is excellent for removing pet hair, and will not tangle or snag on upholstery.
• The Ball technology has improved stability so that it will not topple over – even if you’re going at full speed whizzing around your house in emergency clean-up mode!
• The carbon fiber turbine head automatically adapts to every floor type – hardwood floors, tiles, carpets or rugs – without you having to flip any switches.
• Suction control button on the handle makes it easy to ease suction strength if needed.
• Ability to attach two extra tools to the wand.
• Decent capacity bin – 0.42 gallons to be precise, means you don’t have to empty it that often.

Best Cordless Dyson: Dyson V8 Absolute

The best selling Dyson V8 Absolute is the latest version of the Dyson cordless models and has a few upgrades on the old V6 model, the most useful being that it has a longer run time of 40 minutes. Users also said that the improved system for emptying the vacuum bin did make it easier to use.  It was also appreciated that the vacuum comes with two different head types – one for carpet and the other for hard floors. Other pros for the V8 Absolute include:

• You’re actually getting 2 items for the price of 1 as the additional tools mean you can transform it to a small handheld vacuum cleaner – great for cleaning stairs, inside your car and tricky items like computer keyboards!
• Integrated HEPA filtration means it captures allergens and makes the air cleaner.
• Ability to switch to max power mode for higher suction (note that this mode only lasts up to 7 minutes)

It’s worth noting that a cordless Dyson is not necessarily better than a more “traditional” upright or canister models, especially as it only has a bin volume of 0.14 gallons. Some users felt that this machine would not be their go-to option for vacuum cleaning the whole house, but they would use it as an addition to traditional vacuum cleaners, rather like a motorized broom.

Best Upright Dyson: Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright

Whilst our users preferred Dyson’s canister vacuum cleaner, the consensus was that if they had to choose an upright they would go with the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 because, at 15.6 pounds, this is the lightest standard size Dyson upright (the Small Ball is lighter, but also has smaller bin capacity).  One other feature that was welcome was that the hose and wand combo behind the bin did allow users to vacuum room corners as well as reach up to ceilings to remove cobwebs. Some other advantages of this model include:

• The Ball technology makes it easy to turn corners and get into difficult places.
• The cleaning head adjusts automatically to suit different flooring types – it can be used on carpets, wood, vinyl and tiled floors.
• As with all Dysons the bin is super easy to empty – just push a button and the end releases.

However, many users complain that the overall design is a bit clunky and not that seamless swapping from upright use to hose use; and some people do not like having to wind the power cord by hand around the back hooks – they would rather there were a retractable cord option.

Best Dyson for Pets

As cited above, the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister vacuum is our overall favorite Dyson, for its superior maneuverability and suction – numerous customer review attest to the fact that it has no problem with cleaning up any amount of pet hairs and the supplied extra turbine tool is great on upholstery.

If your mind is set on an upright, then the Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright is the next best option (see image right) – it has a mega 270 air watts of suction power, which can handle even the stickiest of pet fur. This is actually a bit more than the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal canister vacuum, but the upright loses points for not being as easy to maneuver.

Best Dyson for Allergy

Families who suffer from allergies should serious consider the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Plus Allergy vacuum cleaner.  It is the one Dyson that has been specially designed to deal with both airborne allergens and pet dander – the two most common sources of allergies. The machine’s main feature is that it has a whole-machine HEPA filtration system that ensures allergens cannot be expelled back into the home during vacuuming.

And as well as the upholstery tool this vacuum cleaner also comes with some well-thought through tools to help clean tricky places where allergens can get trapped, including: a mattress tool, a dusting brush, a stair tool, and a two tools designed to reach under into crevices, or above onto the top of shelves.

It is worth noting that Dyson also has cordless vacuums and canister vacuum with HEPA filtration for allergy sufferers too.

Best Dyson for Wood Floors: Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro

The cordless Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro vacuum cleaner has been specifically designed for hard floors made of wood or tile. It can deal with both large dirt particles and fine dust and as well as the direct-drive cleaner head for carpets, it has a soft roller cleaner head that is much kinder on wooden floors.

The downside with the V6 is that it only runs for about 20 minutes before needed to be recharged, so not ideal if you have a large home with wooden floors.

You can also read our post for the best vacuum for tile floors.

The article or page: Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018 first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165538677801 on www.customorderflooring.com

Cheap Flooring in Penrith, NSW

Laminate, Vinyl & Timber Flooring Newcastle, NSW

newcastlecarpetone:

Check out our latest specials on Laminate, Vinyl & Timber Flooring in Newcastle, NSW. Shop online, buy in-store.
https://www.carpetone.com.au/adamstown-heights/

Newcastle Carpet One
122 Garden Grove Parade, Adamstown Heights NSW 2289
(02) 4952 1466

https://plus.google.com/106097478800875012305

Carpet One, your floor and home specialists. Family friendly floors installed from $34 per square metre. Great value, hard-wearing floors full installed from $49 per square metre. Live beautifully for less! See our specialists in-store or visit carpetone.com.au

Laminate, timber and vinyl flooring can be a terrific new look for your home. View our complete range on our website.

The best flooring in Newcastle, NSW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yiv3ecW0VVM

View all Newcastle Carpet One videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwOsN7HVDvfiXqsdUf0nS8l4-k4xZZc3k

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7nfReXtynoNv3B4xSqKCNg

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165501905921 on www.customorderflooring.com

Three Things to Remember When Choosing New Carpet

For a durable, quiet underfoot and well insulated floor covering, you can’t go past carpet. But buying carpet is not as simple as walking in, choosing one and then walking back out. It’s generally not a cheap item to buy and install, but armed with the information below we believe you can avoid making an expensive mistake and end up with a carpet you’ll love.

Know your fabrics

Size of the area, budget and traffic of the space will factor into which fabric you choose, but we believe that also knowing the pros and cons of each fabric matter too. Wool carpet is the it’s warm, durable and naturally stain-resistant. Nylon is a hard-working, cheaper alternative that resists cleaning and sunlight staining and is ideal for children and pets and if you find a well made one, it can look luxurious. Polypropylene / polyester is synthetic and cheap and it looks it, but it’s good for playrooms that are likely to end up covered in stains and mess anyways or investment properties. Wool/Nylon blends are a slightly more budget-friendly option that are durable and high quality.

Pick your colours wisely

Show rooms like Newcastle Carpet One have a wide range of colour options to choose from and while your aesthetic should definitely be taken into account, there’s other factors to consider. Lighter colours make small rooms look larger, but show stains more easily, while dark colours hide stains but show lint. Speckled carpets hide stains and lint but people often complain that they always look dirty. We highly recommend visiting a showroom and trampling across carpet samples a few times, as online colours aren’t always true to life and won’t show you what lint or stains will look like on your chosen colour.

Need more info?

Visit our flooring showroom today and speak with a Carpet One flooring consultant at:

Address: 122 Garden Grove Parade, Adamstown Heights NSW 2289

Phone: (02) 4952 1466

This post was originally published on http://blog.newcastlecarpetone.com.au/