By MIKE SELVON
There is a good chance that when you installed new carpets in your home to give it the welcoming warmth and attractiveness that you wanted, you probably spent a good sum of money on that home improvement. But, no matter the amount of money you have spent on the rugs and carpets in your abode, they will inevitably get dirty and will most likely accumulate various stains. Professional carpet cleaners are adept at getting your floor coverings clean, at removing stains, and at helping your carpeting to look and feel wonderful again.
There are several different routes that a homeowner can take to get their rugs and carpets cleaned and to remove stubborn stains, such as a pet stain. There is carpet cleaning equipment that a homeowner can purchase and also carpet cleaning machines that can be rented. This can be a good approach if you enjoy the “do-it-yourself” method for getting things done around the house; it can save you money as well.
However, many people don’t want to buy and store their own carpet cleaning equipment, nor do they want to rent it and have to lug it back and forth to the store. Instead, they would rather have professional carpet cleaners come to their home to deal with the cleaning issues.
A professional carpet cleaning service will bring much more than just the equipment to properly clean and care for the rugs and carpets in your home. They also will have a variety of different types of cleaning supplies for different purposes and the different situations that they might encounter in your home. They will have carpet cleaning and shampooing formulas, as well as mixtures and solutions for various types of stains that have probably accumulated on your carpeting.
Even more important than the equipment and the cleaning compounds that professional carpet cleaners bring is the expertise and experience that they have. Frankly, there is more to cleaning carpets than just getting a carpet cleaning machine and filling it with the solution that is going to be used.
If you use the wrong type of chemicals in the cleaning solutions for the carpeting without knowing what can and cannot be used with the specific fibers in your rugs and carpets, then you could end up doing a great deal of damage and even ruining the carpet entirely. When you hire a professional carpet cleaning service you are also paying for their knowledge, as they will know what is safe to use on your carpets and rugs, and they will bring the correct chemicals and cleaners with them.
The professionals are also schooled in testing the various carpet cleaning products and know how to select an out of the way area for the testing. Then they can confidently use the mixture on the whole carpet without worries or problems. Because of these various considerations, it can make a lot of sense to just spend a little extra money on carpet cleaners who are trained professionals so that you can skip the backbreaking work and avoid potential disasters.
Get your FREE carpet cleaning gift and the best information on carpet cleaners at Mike Selvon’s portal, and leave a comment at our carpet cleaning service blog.
Knowing Carpet Inside Out
By Shane Hester
Before you can determine the best carpet for any specific situation, you must first have a basic understanding of the various types of carpet along with the benefits of each type. For instance, some types of carpets do better in high traffic areas than others. Some carpets have a more casual appearance while others look more formal.
Carpet is basically constructed in three types of piles: loop pile, cut pile and cut-n-loop. Cut-N-Loop, also known as patterned carpet, is a combination of both loop and cut yarns or variations of loops set to different pile heights.
Carpet manufacturers and fiber producers are combining softer fibers and better built-in stain resistance with special backings that block odors, spills and more! These types of features are built-in to many of the better quality carpets offered by the leading carpet manufacturers. Mohawk Carpets with SmartStrand and Shaw Carpets with SoftBac Platinum display some the major advancement in carpet construction technology.
Most carpet today is tufted, rather than woven. The tufting process is similar to using a large sewing machine that is about 13 feet wide with 100 of needles that sew the yarn into a synthetic backing. The majority of carpets sold today are made from nylon fibers twisted into yarns and then tufted into carpet.
How long a carpet will retain it is like new texture and appearance is based on the type of fiber, how tight the yarns are twisted and heat-set, and the pile density. Also, how tightly the tufts are packed together will also effect the long term durability of a carpet. Obviously, by not cleaning your carpets regularly, or by using improper cleaning methods will affect the appearance and life of your carpet as well.
Shown below is a description of how to choose the best carpet for your situation along with comparisons of different carpets plus the benefits of using carpet as compared to other flooring systems.
Carpeting Versus Hard Surfaces
* Carpet is available in many different styles, colors, and designs
* Carpet is an excellent acoustics and thermal insulator. It increases thermal comfort and at the same time decreases unwanted ambient noises.
* Carpet is certainly more comfortable to walk on, cushioning feet and reducing fatigue.
Things to Remember When Choosing Carpet
* The amount of traffic should determine the quality of carpet and padding you choose.
* Carpet in high traffic areas such as hallways and stairs will last longer with a textured high face weight cut pile with tightly twisted yarn or a high face weight loop pile.
* The quality of the padding is very important. Upgrade the padding to match the quality of the carpet being used. Do not fall for the free padding offer. UPGRADE!
* Less expensive carpet and padding can be used in areas where the traffic is less of a factor, such as bedrooms and closets.
Color and Pattern Considerations
* Color is typically the most difficult part of choosing carpet, there are many different colors to choose from.
* Lighter colors tend to brighten a room and make it appear to be larger. Darker colors tend to do the opposite.
* Patterns can also affect the apparent size of a room. Large patterns tend to make a room appear smaller while small patterns make a room appear larger.
* Patterns also help mask stains and wear.
* Always, take samples home to compare color and style to your room.
Types of Carpet
* There are three different methods for producing cut pile carpet-Wilton, Axminster, and tufted.
* Axminster is a weaving process where virtually any number of colors can be used. It is primarily used in high quality patterned wool carpet.
* Wilton is also a type of weave, usually containing up to five colors. The patterns are limited, but the Axminster process makes for a more durable carpet.
* Tufted is the most common type of carpet produced in the US today. Though relatively new, tufted carpet is simpler and less expensive to produce than Axminster and Wilton carpet.
Types of Yarn
* There are numerous types of yarn used today; some natural and some man made.
* Wool, nylon and polyester are the most popular.
* Each one offers different characteristics.
Carpet Styles
* There are three basic styles of carpet, Loop pile, Cut pile, and Cut-n-loop
* Loop pile carpet is continuously looped, and offers various textures.
* Cut pile carpet is made when the tops of the loops are sheered off.
* Cut-n- loop carpet is a combination of the two processes producing distinct patterns.
Now that you know what to look for in carpet, the next time you begin a flooring overhaul, you will be able to an educated selection instead of depending on the advice of a store clerk.
Important Tip :: When purchasing carpeting, you should buy the best-quality carpet you can afford, coupled with the highest quality padding. In fact, the padding that goes between the carpeting and the sub-flooring is as important as the choice of carpeting itself.
Padding provides softness and support, cuts down on noise and insulates the floor. Often referred to as “underlay” or “cushion,” padding thickness depends on the pile of the carpet above it. Padding should be no thicker than 7/16 inch, even for a very deep pile carpet. Too much cushion can actually void a manufacturer’s warranty; so, take the time to find the padding that is right for your new carpet.
Shane Hester has been helping website owners increase online profits through exclusive webdesign and marketing services at WebFirstCreations.
See his companies latest creation: FloorsToGo Flooring Store or contact him directly at WebFirstCreations.com.
Planning A Visit To The Flooring Store
By Shane Hester
If you have ever tried to purchase home improvement products such as flooring or any other type, you know how frustrating it can be and how the overwhelming number of options can leave you more confused than you were before you started. You also know how the sales representatives at stores can ask you questions that you do not know, resulting in another trip to the store.
It is not hard to avoid such issues and still get the information you need if you know the right questions to ask and things to do before you make a visit to the home improvement store you plan to do business with.
For the purpose of this article, we will discuss the necessary steps to take when planning to visit a flooring store, but the same type of planning can be applied to most situations related to remodeling.
Make sure your store visit goes smoothly by going through this simple checklist below.
Before you go, consider drawing a simple outline of your room indicating;
* Room exits
* Adjoining room floors – type and color
* Sources of sunlight and other lighting
* Subfloor – what’s underneath (sometimes you can pull up an in-floor heating duct to see)?
You will also need to;
* Measurement – length and width, include closets. This will help you explain your needs to the salesperson.
* Measure the distance or the gap from the bottom of the doors to the top of the floor in the rooms that will have new flooring. This will tell you if the bottoms of the doors will have to be shaved to accommodate the new floor.
* Make a note of the color and type of baseboards that are currently installed. Include shoe molding if it exist.
Bring with you to the store:
* Swatches – room fabrics, paint chips. These will help you match floors with your decor for your room design.
* Pictures – take pictures of the rooms that are going to receive improvements. These pictures will serve as a guide in case you have to make a different choice than you originally planned.
Questions the salesperson may ask you:
Durability/Performance
* Is there light or heavy traffic in this room?
* What is the room used for?
* Do you have children and if so, how old are they?
* Do you have pets and if so, what kind?
* How long do you want this flooring to last?
* Is there a door to the outside in the room?
Style/Appearance
* Do you have a certain color in mind?
* What are the room’s lighting sources?
* What types of furnishings do you have?
The New Look
* What’s the style of the room? Traditional? Contemporary? Rustic?
* What’s the feel of the room? Casual? Formal? Somewhere in between?
Questions you may want to ask the salesperson:
* Estimate – Do charges apply?
* Samples – Available to take home?
* Underlayment – What type is required?
* Warranties on flooring – What is offered?
Flooring Installation
* What is the cost?
* What is the installation procedure?
* Who handles appliance and fixture removal and replacement?
You Need To Know
* Who disposes of old flooring?
* Are new moldings, wall base and toe kick required?
* Will the new flooring add height to the room?
* Are installers certified?
By following these simple steps, your visit to the flooring store will be more productive and will enable you to get a more thorough explanation of the flooring products that are available as well as information you need to get the flooring you want.
Other benefits include knowledge of the flooring installation steps that the company follows and how much you will have to pay for this service.
Shane Hester has been helping website owners increase online profits through exclusive webdesign and marketing services at WebFirstCreations.
See his companies latest creation: Floors to Go Flooring Stores or contact him directly at WebFirstCreations.com.
carpeting