Caring for
Your Floor
Every floor type is different. From installation to care and maintenance, it is important to review the maintenance and cleaning and care guidelines specified for your product to ensure longevity. Many warranties also indicate that regular cleaning is required for the warranty to stay valid. There are many different ways to keep your flooring clean, depending on flooring type and application. Below are some tips and tricks for care and maintenance on different flooring types.
Laminate
Overall, sweeping and vacuuming and occasionally moping works well to keep your flooring looking good, but additional care and maintenance is already a good idea.
- Read your guidelines: Installation, care and maintenance guidelines vary from vendor to vendor so it is important to take time to read through the specifics for you flooring to find the best way to care for it.
- Don’t let stains sit: It is important to clean spills quickly. Even with water-resistant products, the faster you clean spill, the better for your flooring. Using a microfiber cloth or sponge to absorb spills is a great approach. Again, read through your warranty info, most will outline how long water can sit on the floor or within what time-frame a spill needs to be addressed to keep your warranty intact.
- Don’t use abrasive tools: Recent updates in flooring technology has made most laminate flooring materials are made to be scratch-resistant, but using abrasive products like steel wool, or harsh chemicals can cause damage to your floors. Using a soft-bristled broom or dust mop works great for regularly cleaning.
- Mopping: Most laminate is not water resistant, so exposing it to too much moisture can cause issues in the long-run. It is recommended to mop every two months. Use a damp microfiber mop or if you are using a traditional mop, make sure you wring out as much water as possible You want avoid using too much water on your laminate floor to eliminate potential for damage.
- Cleaning products: It is best to use product specifically labeled safe for laminate flooring. Using oil-based cleaning products can potentially leave streaks or residue on the protective sealant of your flooring. If you do find a suitable laminate floor cleaner, make sure to apply it to the microfiber cloth or mop as opposed to applying directly on the floor. Never wax or polish your laminate.
- Protect the surface: Care and maintenance goes beyond just keeping it clean. You must also take steps to protect your flooring from scratches. Use furniture pads on the bottom of your furniture and chairs to avoid scraping your flooring.
Carpet
- Preventative Maintenance: Carpet stains that have settled can be difficult to clean. It is best to try to prevent stains from happened. Of course, this is not an easy task, but focusing on high traffic areas like entryways, doorways or hallways can be a great first step. Adding area rugs or walk-off mats can help to reduce the amount of dirt and potential for difficult stains.
- Spot Cleaning & Spill Removal: Addressing any stains or spill quickly can help to keep them from settling in. Blot stains and spills with a clean cloth, starting from the edge of the stain and working your way in. This can help keep the stain for spreading. Find products that are specially formulated for rugs and carpet and follow the instructions.
- Vacuum regularly: Vacuuming regularly to help keep your carpet clean is another great way to avoid large or settled in stains. Focus on high traffic areas at least once a week, make sure not to forget to clean under furniture to avoid dust accumulation. Think about investing in a high-end vacuum to get the best out of your cleaning routine.
- Steam cleaning and Deep cleaning: Check your warranty guidelines. Many warranties outline how often and what kind of professionally cleaning is required to maintain your warranty coverage. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning are great options for deeper or more stubborn stains. They work to extract oils and particles from deep within your carpet, leaving you with an overall cleaner, and more sanitary floor.
LVP Flooring Do’s & Don’ts
Do
- Clean floor regularly with a solution approved for vinyl flooring. P/H neutral cleaning products are best, but warm soapy water and a soft mop are a great a option as well for regular cleaning.
- Spot test before applying any kind of cleaning solutions to your flooring
- Focus on high traffic areas. Use rugs or mats to help prevent dirt and other debris from building up on your flooring.
- Clean spills immediately. Don’t let spills sit on your flooring for too long. It is best to clean as soon as possible.
- Use furniture pads to avoid scratches. These are great for underneath chairs as well.
Don’t
- Don’t use any cleaning products containing wax or oil. The resident from these cleaning agents can leave a film on the top layer of your flooring.
- Do not use products designed for wood flooring.
- Avoid using DIY cleaning solutions with vinegar. The acidity can cause damage to your flooring’s finish.
- Avoid wet-moping and steam mopping your floor. Vinyl plank is pretty simple to keep clean. There is no need to make it too complicated.
- Try not walk on your floors in cleats, high heels or other sports shoes. Those vinyl plank is scratch resistant, it is subject to denting.
- Do not buff your floors with a nigh speed buffer.
Engineered Hardwood
- Sweep and Vacuum Regularly: One of the easiest and more effective way to keep your hardwood clean, is to simply sweep and vacuum regularly. Keep dirt from piling up on your floors and creating a bigger problem later. A soft-bristled brush and a vacuum with a hardsurface attachment are both great options. Done regularly, this can you avoid scratches caused by dirt particles on your floor.
- Use a Microfiber Mop: Microfiber mops are soft and a great option for engineered hardwood. They are gentle on the floor’s finish and provide great cleaning power. You can dampen the mop slightly, but try to avoid using too much water, that could damage your flooring.
- Use the right products: look for a PH-balanced cleaning product specifically made for hardwood. You can also use a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water.
- Avoid Excess Moisture: Engineered hard-word is not water-proof. Excess moisture can cause damage to your floors. Avoid mopping with too much water, applying cleaning agents directly to floors, and letting spills sit on your flooring for too long.
Carpet Tile
- Vacuum Regularly: Regular cleaning is essential in the upkeep of any flooring, carpet tile included. Vacuuming removes dirt and grim that may cause damage to flooring if left behind. Regular vacuuming can also help prevent the carpet fibers from flattening. Make sure to read through the warranty guidelines to find the specific cleaning requirements for your specific product.
- Clean Spill Immediately: It is very important to clean any spills up as soon as possible. Blot the spills with a clean cloth or paper towel. Its best to start from the outside and work your way in. Make sure to check what kind of cleaning agent is suggested by the manufacturer to ensure you do not damage your carpet tile with harsh chemicals.
- Schedule Regular Cleaning: Professional cleaning is often-times required by the flooring warranty. Check the guidelines for the instructions on how often regularly cleaning is required. This may vary based on the amount of foot traffic.
- Replace Damaged Tile: One of the great benefits of carpet tile is that damaged pieces can be easily replaced when needed. It is best to keep a few extra boxes of your project for any repairs or replacements that may be needed down the line.
VCT Tile
- Daily Cleaning: VCT is relatively easy to keep clean. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and debris. You may also use entry mats in entry ways or under furniture to help keep dust away. It is important to clean any spills as soon as possible as well.
- Damp Mopping: Avoid harsh chemical cleaners. Use a neutral pH cleaner and a damp mop to clean your tile. It is important to avoid using excess water on the mop as this could lead to damage of your flooring.
- Regular Maintenance: Using a machine to scrub the floors regularly and applying a fresh topcoat can help reduce the need for frequent stripping of the tile.
- Sealing: VCT tile requires sealing within a few days of installation and then once or twice annually depending on the amount of foot traffic.
warranty
care and
maintenance
warranty
Care
A flooring warranty is an agreement provided by the flooring manufacturer and extended to the buyer, stating that repair or replacement will be covered if necessary. Every vendor has different specifics that outline what things are and are not covered. What exclusions apply and what kind of replacement, repair or reimbursement available also varies from one vendor to the other. It is important to take time to read the warranty information for your specific flooring before purchase so you understand the installation guidelines, exclusions and what is and is not covered and how the warranty is provided for. For commercial jobs, it is essential to purchase flooring that is specifically designed for commercial use and abide by the warranty information. Warranties can range from ten years to lifetime, depending on the type of product and application. Below are some common flooring warranty types.
Product warranty: The product warranty typically covers the material, durability defects or malfunctions of the flooring. This may include defects such as peeling, bubbling, warping and buckling of planks, depending on the cause. Defects caused by incorrect installation, are not covered by the product warranty. This is why is essential to following the specific installation guidelines for each product.
Installation Warranty: Installation warranties are provided to the end use by the contractor that completed the installation. It covers the labor and quality of installation. The installation will advise how many years the warranty is good for.
Wear warranty: This refers to wear of the flooring itself. Commercial products are made to withstand more foot traffic than residential flooring, so are commonly covered longer for commercial foot-traffic. Normal wear and tear are expected with any flooring, but if you are finding early signs of additional wear, this may be covered by you warranty. It is important to note that damage from installation, furniture, or accidents are typically not covered.
EF Contract
BROADLOOM BACKING WARRANTIES
Endure Plus Lifetime Warranty
PremierBac Plus Warranty
Titanbac Plus Lifetime Warranty
Standard Back Warranty
LVT WARRANTIES
10 Year LVT Warranty
MODULAR BACKING WARRANTIES
Nexus Modular Lifetime Warranty
Nexus FC Cushion Warranty
Nexus Cushion Warranty
FIBER WARRANTIES
TeraPlex SD PET with Encore SF Nylon Warranty
Encore 100 Lifetime Riber Warranty
Encore SD Ultima Lifetime Fiber Warranty
Kinetex Lifetime Warranty
Encore BCF (with Colorloc Plus) Lifetime Warranty
Encore SD Nylon with TeraPlex SD PET Fiber Warranty
Encore RD & type 6,6 Nylone Lifetime Fiber Warranty
ADHESIVE WARRANTIES
Commercialon Premium Seam Sealer Lifetime Warranty
Commercialon High Moisture Adhesive for Modular Carpet and LVT
Commercial Premium Broadloom Adhesive Lifetime Warranty
Commercialon Adhesive Modular Carpet & LVT Lifetime Warranty
Kinetex Adhesive Warranty
KINETEX WARRANTIES
Kinetex Adhesive Warranty
Kinetex Lifetime Warranty
Shaw Contract
BROADLOOM
ClassicBac – 100% Solution Dyes
ClassicBac PC – 100% Solution Dyed
EcoWorx Performance Broadloom – 100% Solution Dyed
Ultraloc MB 100% Solution Dyed
Ultraloc MPC 100% Solution Dyed
Unitary – Non-Solution Dyed
Commercial Area Rugs
EcoWorx Performance Broadloom – Non-Solution Dyed
Ultraloc MB – Non-Solution Dyed
Ultraloc MPC – Non-Solution Dyed
Walkoff Performance – Rubber Backing/PET Fiber
ClassicBac PC – Non-Solution Dyed
EcoWorx Broadloom – 100% Solution Dyed
Ultraloc – 100% Solution Dyed
Ultraloc MP 100% Solution Dyed
Ultraloc Pattern – 100% Solution Dyed
ClassicBac – Non-Solution Dyed
EcoWorx Broadloom – Non-Solution Dyed
Ultraloc Pattern – Non-Solution Dyed
Ultraloc MP – Non-Solution Dyed
Ultraloc – Non-Solution Dyed
CARPET TILE
EcoWorx – 100% Solution Dyed
EcoLogix and EcoLogix ES- 100% Solution Dyed + Moisture
EcoWorx ES – Non-Solution Dyed
ExoWorx Walkoff – Non- Solution Dyed
EcoWorx- Non-Solution Dyed
EcoWorx ES – 100% Solution Dyed
EcoWorx PX – 100% Solution Dyed
StrataWorx- 100% Solution Dyed
EcoLogix – 100% Solution Dyed
EcoWorx NT – Non-Solution Dyed
EcoWorx PX – Non-Solution Dyed
StrataWorx Non-Solution Dyed
EcoLogix- Non-Solution Dyed
EcoWorx NT – 100% Solution Dyed
EcoWorx Walkoff – 100% Solution Dyed
HARDWOOD
5 Year Commercial
CUSHION
ADHESIVE & EPOXY
RESILIENT
5 Year Commercial Limited
15 Year Limited - LVT
15 Year Limited – WPC
7 Year Commercial Limited
15 Year Limited – Sheet
15 Year Limited – XRC/SPC
RUGS
Area Rug 5 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
TRIMS + TRANSITIONS
Product Specific Trims + Transitions
Resilient Through-Body Accessories
Interface
STANDARD PRODUCT WARRANTY
MOHAWK GROUP
SOFT SURFACE WARRANTIES
HARD SUFACE WARRANTIES
RevWood Contract – Laminate Warranty
Limited 20-Year M-Force Ultra Commercial LVT Warranty
Resilient Sheet Warranty – Light Commercial
Limited 15-Year M-Force Commercial LVT Warranty
Limited Light Commercial LVT Warranty
Resilient Sheet Warranty – Commercial
Limited Commercial HVT Warranty
MANNINGTON COMMERCIAL
CARPET
ColorSafe Warranty
FreLock Tab 3x3 & 3x10 Warranty
Integra HP Warranty
rEvolve II Warranty
UltraBac RE Warranty
DeltaLoc Wararnty
Infinity 2 Modular Warranty – MG & Cushion
Mannington Assure Specification/ Installation/Warranty
Revive Tape System Warranty
Seam Advantage Warranty
XGUARD Warranty
HARD SURFACE
QuickStix LVF Warranty
LockStep Warranty
Multi-Family LVT Warranty
Quantum Guard Elite Warranty
Silent Solution Warranty
ACCESSORIES
All Accessories Warranty
Wall Base Warranty
Milliken
PRODUCTS
Commercial Modular Carpet Tile Warranties
Commercial Resilient Flooring Warranties
Tractionback Plus With Barrier Coating Warranty
Commercial Broadloom Warranties
ADHESIVES
Mosaic Moisture XT Spray Adhesive Warranty
Mosaic 95 Adhesive warranty
Barrier Coating – Warranty
Non-Reactive Standard Adhesive Warranty
LVT Moisture XT Adhesive Warranty
Mosaic 98- Spray Adhesive Warranty
LVT Standard Adhesive Warranty
Bently Mills
EliteFlex 6ft Cushion Warranty
LuxFelt Cushion Tile Warranty
NexStep Cushion Tile Warranty
Optimum Barrier II Warranty
AFIRMA II Hardback Tile Warranty
Easy Street Cushion Warranty
High PerformancePC Warranty
Luxury Vinyl Tile Warranty
Optimum Barrier II RC Cushion Warranty
Aladdin Commercial
CARPET
Weldlok Plus Limited Warranty
Weldlok Plus Air Warranty
Weldlok Lifetime Limited Wear
HARDSURFACE
J+J Flooring Group
BROADLOOM BACKING
PremierBac Plus Warranty
TitanBac Plus Lifetime Warranty
Endure Plus Lifetime Warranty
Standard Back Warranty
LVT
7 Year LVT Warranty
MODULAR BACKING
Nexus Modular Lifetime Warranty
Nexus FC Cushion Lifetime Warranty
Nexus Cushion Modular Lifetime Warranty
FIBER
Encore SD Ultima Lifetime Fiber Warranty
Encore RE & Type 6,6 Nylon Lifetime Fiber Warranty
Kinetex Lifetime Warranty
TeraPlex SD Warranty
Encore BCF (with Colorloc Plus) Lifetime Warranty
Encore 100 Lifetime Fiber Warranty
ADHESIVE
Commercialon Premium Broadloom Adhesive Lifetime Warranty
Commercialon Adhesive for Modular Carpet & LVT Lifetime Warranty
Kinetex Adhesive Warranty
Nexus Cushion Adhesive Warranty
Commercialon Premium Seam Sealer Lifetime Warranty
Commercialon High Moisture Adhesive for Modular Carpet and LVT
KINETEX
Kinetex Lifetime Warranty
Kinetex Adhesive Warranty
RUGS
Patcraft
Carpet Tile 15 Year Commercial Limited Warranty with Stain and Color Stratworx
Resilient LVT/LVP – 15 year Commercial Limited Warranty
Carpet Tile Lifetime Commercial Limited Warranty for EcoWorx With Stain & Color
Resilient Sheet- 15 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Pentz Commercial
BROADLOOM BACKING
PremierBac Plus Warranty
iLoc Backing Warranty
Standard Back Warranty
MODULAR BACKING
Nexus Modular Lifetime Warranty
FIBER
APEX SDP Polyester Fiber Warranty
Encore SD Lifetime Fiber Warranty
ADHESIVE
Commercialon Premium Broadloom Adhesive Lifetime Warranty
Commercialon Adhesive for Modular Carpet & LVT Lifetime Warranty
Commercialon High Moisture Adhesive For Modular Carpet and LVT
Commercialon Premium Seam Sealer Lifetime Warranty
Armstrong
Commercial Resilient Limited Warranty
Philadelphia Commercial
BROADLOOM
Broadloom 10 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Broadloom 10 year Commercial Limited Warranty for EnviroCel Cushion with Stain and Color
Broadloom 10 year Commercial Limited Warranty with Stain and Color
Broadloom Lifetime Commercial Limited Warranty with Stain and Color
Broadloom Lifetime Commercial Limited Warranty with Moisture
Soft Spikes 10 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Broadloom 10 year Commercial Limited Warranty for EnviroCel Cushion
Broadloom 10 year Commercial Limited Warranty for Unitary
Broadloom 10 year Commercial Limited Warranty for Walk Off Products
Broadloom Lifetime Commercial Limited Warranty
Broadloom Lifetime Commercial Limited Warranty with Moisture Stain and Color
CARPET TILE
Carpet Tile 15 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Carpet Tile Commercial Limited Warranty For EcoLogix
Carpet Tile Lifetime Commercial Limited Warranty
Carpet Tile 15 year Commercial Limited Warranty with Stain and Color for StrataWorx
Carpet Tile Commercial Limited Warranty with Stain and Color for EcoLogix
Carpet Tile Lifetime Commercial Limited Warranty with Stain and Color
REWORX HYBRID FLOORING
ReWorx Commercial Limited Warranty
CUSHION
Cushion Commercial Limited Warranty
LUXURY VINYL
Luxury Vinyl 7 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Luxury Vinyl 5 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Luxury Vinyl SPC 15 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Underlayment Warranty
Luxury Vinyl 15 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
Luxury Vinyl Sheet 15 Year Limited Warranty
Luxury Vinyl WPC 15 Year Commercial Limited Warranty
INDOOR/OUTDOOR
1 Year Limited Warranty-Indoor/Outdoor Carpet
5 Year Limited Warranty-Indoor/Outdoor Carpet
5 Year (Poly) Indoor Outdoor Limited Warranty for Polypropylene Athletic and Recreation Tuft
Golf Spike 5 Year performance Turf Warranty
3 Year Limited Warranty-Indoor/Outdoor Carpet
5 Year (Nylon) Indoor Outdoor Limited Warranty for Nylon Athletic and Recreation Tuft
5 Year (Poly) Pet & Lawn Indoor Outdoor Limited Warranty
MOISTURE SOLUTIONS
MoistureTek 10 Year Limited Warranty
MRP Moisture Resistance Primer Commercial Limited Warranty
ACCESSORIES
Wall Covering 1 Year Limited Warranty
The Ins & Outs
of Warranty
Coverage
Choosing your flooring can be a difficult decision. From selecting a flooring type, considering the kind of installation you prefer as well as choosing a color and pattern that best fits your project. There are many different aspects to take into consideration, sometimes the warranty coverage can get overlooked. The warranties provided by flooring vendors, vary heavily depending on the type of flooring and application. Warranties are typically very specific in terms of how a flooring must be installed, what steps needs to be taken and how the flooring needs to be maintained in order to keep your coverage intact. Below is some additional information to review to help you best understand your coverage and what it means.
Installation
Type of installation: Depending on the kind of flooring you select, the installation will vary. Make sure to read through the installation instructions included with your flooring and make sure that you understand all the necessary steps required for proper installation
- Floor-Prep – Your installation instructions will outline what is required in terms of the state of your subfloor for proper installation. What moisture level is required, what evenness you must achieve, how to properly clean the subfloor, and what issues must be addressed prior to installation. All of this information will be reviewed in the installation guidelines.
- Temperature – Some floors will require the areas of installation to sit within a certain temperature. Typically, 65-85 degrees. Some flooring will require a few days of acclimation for your flooring prior to installation. If acclimation is required, usually there are some additional steps to consider, like how long it must acclimate, what temperature does the jobsite need to be at, how many boxes can you stack together.
- Pattern – For carpet or carpet tiles, you must decide what direction the flooring will run, as well as where the seams will be placed. This will depend on the pattern on your carpet. You want to make sure that everything aligns correction. For hard surface, generally there are several pattern option included in the installation guidelines, depending on how you want your flooring to sit. Once you select the direction you’d like your flooring to go, you can decide which installation pattern you’d like as well.
- Finishes – Are you looking for baseboard, quarter round, or other finished? Check your installation guidelines for information on expansion gaps, door trims, and overall maintenance for your flooring to ensure everything I done correctly.
Your flooring guidelines will help you keep your warranty coverage. Many times, warranties are not honored because the vendor finds an issue with the overall installation. They may find a step has been missed, expansion gaps may be incorrect, or transitions may be missing. Small mistakes like this will void your warranty so it is extremely important you follow the guidelines to a tee.
Maintenance
Many people are unaware that their flooring requires long-term maintenance and upkeep for the best performance and for warranty coverage.
-
- Carpet/Carpet Tile: Many carpet vendors have been extending their warranty coverage. You can find commercial carpets that are warrantied for 15-29 years. What can sometimes be overlooked is what is required to keep that warranty for those years. Make sure to read your warranty coverage thoroughly to identify any steps you need to take for your specific. Generally speaking, carpet must be professionally cleaned 1-2 times a year. This is to be done between your regular cleaning.
- Hardsurface – most hard surface products do not require much in terms of maintenance. It is what makes them such a great option for many applications. Once installed, typically they only require regularly cleaning like sweeping and mopping. Although there isn’t much to do to keep you hardsurface looking great, there are a few things to consider
- Temperature: Hardsurface needs to sit at a regular temperature between 65-85 degrees year-round. This keeps the floor from expanding or contracting too much and causing bubbling or breaking at the joints.
- Direct Sunlight: Floating floors expand and contract with changes in temperature. Areas with direct sunlight may provide too much heat to your floor and cause they them to expand beyond the normal thresholds and cause too much stress on your floor joints. This can lead to the failure of your flooring. Making sure you have curtains to provide shade from direct sunlight will help you maintain the overall temp of your floor.
- VCT Tile: VCT tile is a hardsurface that required the most maintenance. VCT tile must be polished and sealed directly after installation and then depending on how much foot-traffic the area is seeing, it will need to be polished and resealed once or twice a year. This required someone who is familiar with the process and it is the best way to keep your flooring looking great for longer.
General Warranty Coverage
As discussed, every product has a different warranty coverage as well as a different list of what is and what is not covered by that warranty. It is essentially that you review the warranty that is provided with your specific warranty so that you don’t miss anything. Although warranties may vary, there are a few things that are relatively the same across the board.
What’s included:
- Product defects including visual and structural
- Durability – the warranty will state how long your flooring should last
- Finish – covers the finish and condition of the flooring
What’s not included:
- Installation issues
- Products that are broken due to improper maintenance
- Issues caused by outside factors
Things that may void your warranty:
- Improper installation
- Subfloor issues
- Missing transitions
- Moisture levels
- Missing underlayment
- Missing expansion gaps (Hardsurface)
- Pinned down floating floors (Gun safe, or heavy furniture)
- Rolling chairs (Hardsurface)
- Not installed by licensed contractor
Get in
touch
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