Author: mlk support

Cleaning Merbau hardwood floors is a delicate task, and parquet is sensitive to humidity and certain chemicals. Read here how to clean parquet floors without damaging them.

The task of cleaning Merbau hardwood floors can be intimidating due to the high sensitivity of materials such as parquet before moisture, the textures of some cloths or certain chemicals. However, following these general recommendations and the proper cleaning method, you will be able to keep your wood floors radiant and in good condition.

Always remember: before applying any of these methods of cleaning Merbau hardwood floors, perform a test in a little visible fringe. In case of combining these methods with a commercial product, it is advisable to read and follow the instructions on the label.

Here at Branson’s we take pride in offering specialised decking building with highly reliable materials such as treated pine that will be a long-lasting and beautiful addition to your outdoor premises. Contact us today for more information!

What to do before cleaning your Merbau hardwood floor

• Never drag chairs or other furniture on the Merbau hardwood floor. We also recommend avoiding the use of high-heeled shoes or others that may scratch the surface.

• When cleaning the dust, instead of using a broom, it is better to vacuum with a soft bristle brush. This way, you will not risk removing the varnish.

• Keep the floor free of moisture, as it causes damage such as lifting the slats. For the same reason, when cleaning parquet floors, you should always avoid the use of water in abundance.

• In case of liquid spills or water penetrating through a window, dry immediately with a soft cloth so that the liquid does not penetrate the splints and lodge in the wood. If the floor was exposed to liquids for a long time, a good trick is to place newspapers on the entire surface and let them absorb moisture for a few hours.

• It is recommended to have at hand a special rag for cleaning parquet floors or wooden surfaces, as this will avoid scratching the protective floor varnish.

To keep your floors bright and clean, it is best to use a commercial product specifically designed for hardwood or parquet floors. They are very efficient because they take care of the wood, protect it and make it more durable. In this way, you are going to make sure you do not put your floor at risk with substances that could damage it. Do not forget to read the instructions on the label on the package of the product you are going to use and make sure to apply the product in a small strip as a test before use.

It is also advisable to avoid direct exposure of the parquet to the sun’s rays. If the room is not in use it is advisable to keep the curtains closed; this will contribute to the fact that the wood floor does not fade prematurely. It is also important that you bear in mind that, soon after being placed, any wooden floor will experience a natural process of colour change due to exposure to natural and artificial light.

Cleaning Merbau hardwood floors to keep your house allergy-free

If you suffer from allergies like many of us, you should probably know there are measures you can take to help yourself. It doesn’t take to be an expert to make your house an allergen-free zone where you can breathe freely.

Allergies are mainly caused by allergens we often are not aware of, such as dust mites, dust, animal hair, mould and other agents. In this brief guide we’ll show you 4 simple and important ways you can allergy-proof your home.

Using vinegar diluted in water you can remove dirt and grease stains from the wood floor without its acidity being harmful to the varnish or any other protective treatment that the slats have. If you carry out this method on a regular basis, you will prevent dust and dirt from taking away the natural shine of your parquet floors. It is recommended to test the product in an inconspicuous strip before its use.

Instructions:

• Remove dust and other traces of dirt by vacuuming with a soft-bristled brush or using a dry cloth for parquet.
• Mix 1 cup of vinegar in 4 litres of warm water.
• Put the cloth in this mixture.
• It is important that you wring the cloth well to remove excess liquid and thus avoid the transfer of the tablets.
• Passing the surface gently, once you have tested the product in a small.
• Ventilate the room: This will help to dissipate the vinegar smell. How to clean wood floors with a commercial cleaning product If you do not have the time to prepare a cleaning solution at home, we recommend buying a product specially designed for cleaning floors of wood.

You will take care of the material and lengthen its useful life. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Controlling your temperature and taking care of your pets to protect your Merbau hardwood floor

Dust mites, mould and bacteria live in warm conditions. Keeping your home at temperatures below 68 ºF (20 ºC) can keep those mites in check and avoid mould growing in humid areas. Humidity is a key factor to control when allergy proofing your home. Using this temperature your house will be fresh, nice and at the same time friendly for your lungs.

Protect Your Resting Area

Your body is most vulnerable while you sleep, so naturally the place you must take the most care of in your home is your bedroom. There are several causes for allergy that can strike you there.

And here are some things you can do about it:

• Let the dogs (or cats) out: pets are always one of the main causes of allergy and they sure love to visit your room from time to time. Declare this a pet-free zone. Wash your pets and brush their hair once a week, or at least each 2 weeks to reduce dust and other particles in their fur.
• Invest in dust-mite proof covers: Cover your mattress, comforter, pillows, etc., to keep the mites off your bedding.
• Keep it clean: make sure to use a microfiber cloth when cleaning all the surfaces and furniture of your bedroom. You can clean with water only, don’t use strong scented cleaning products since these will make your allergies worse even during the process of cleaning.

Allergy-proofing your home isn’t a difficult task and it will make your life much better and easier, in the long run you will be healthier and save more money. Remember that here at Branson Building Materials you will find anything you need regarding Merbau hardwood floors.

Do you have wood floor in your house? Or do you want to install one, but you have no idea which to choose or the care that a wooden floor need? Do not worry, this time we share some ideas of different wooden floors, as well as floors with coatings that imitate this noble material, which is in all tastes, finishes, brightness, colours and textures. In addition, we give you six simple tips to keep a wooden floor in good condition.

Remember that wooden floors are for outdoor and indoor, some are solid wood, while others are processed wood, as well as there is deck type, which are mainly for patios, gardens and terraces a vast variety, but what they all have in common is that you have to take care of them and give them maintenance so they last longer.

Remember that here at ASC Building Supplies you will find an unmatched option for premium quality floors that are easy to keep clean.

1. For outdoor near wet areas: natural oils

As mentioned at the beginning, wood is a noble and natural material, so to place a floor of this material outside and near the pool, as in the image, is to be in its element, even so, it must be regularly maintained with oils, of natural preferences. Experts recommend olive oil. If it’s healthy for the human body, also for wood.

2. For terraces: pass the dry mop

If we have an outdoor wooden floor, for example on the terrace or balcony, it is advisable to regularly mop or dry mop for cleaning. Remember that if we are in a place where it rains a lot, it will be important from time to time to nourish the wood with natural oil, as we mentioned in the previous image, so that it does not dry out.

3. For balconies: avoid traditional cleaning products

It is important that the wooden floor, regardless of tone or thickness, is not cleaned with traditional products. Some, or most of them are very aggressive, and can damage it, mainly if the wood is of strong colour or has brightness, like the one we see in this image. Passing the mop or dry mop and a natural oil from time to time, to keep it in good condition, is enough.

4. Different shades: a splash of vinegar to add shine

If you do not decide for a specific shade of wood because you do not know if you want it dark or clear, the solution is a combination of several shades. Clean it and keep it in good condition, it is to follow the advice that we had already commented: clean it dry, with a mop or felt and in this case, a splash of vinegar to add shine. Eye: not directly on the floor! but to the bucket with water and only a trickle. Moisten the mop and mop it and pass it over the floor.

5. Clear tones: clean spots immediately

A wooden staircase in light colour, and that each of its steps is highlighted with dark chocolate wood. The wood in the staircase also needs care and some things to avoid, such as: use cleaners based on ammonia, acidic materials, chlorine, detergents and abrasive soaps.

Also, we must not allow the water to remain on the floor for a long time and we must clean any stain immediately! Also, remember not to walk with pointy heels or pass any sharp object

6. Solid wood: polish it to last a lifetime

Without a doubt, a wooden floor, in any of its presentations and types, whether oak, pine, beech or ash, gives a warm and welcoming to any room, therefore, is a material that never goes out of style. Wood is a renewable and organic resource, one of the raw materials of vegetable origin that man has used the most throughout history.

What about other types of flooring? Maintenance of ceramic and porcelain floors

Ceramic and porcelain floors provide elegance and create unique and sophisticated environments, according to their applications and combinations. However, if the proper care is not taken, they can be broken or stained, going from being elegant to being disastrous.

Fortunately, the maintenance of these floors is not difficult. Only a few minutes are enough to guarantee its duration and good appearance.

Care and maintenance of porcelain:

• Proper cleaning of porcelain floors should be carried out with water and a mild cleaning product, such as a neutral detergent. Do not forget to rinse with plenty of clean water.
• Never use detergents or cleaners based on oil, animal grease or soapy base, as they will leave the tile opaque.

Keep in mind that the cleaning of your porcelain tile will be different according to its characteristics and types, such as texture, polished or unpolished.

1. In the case of textured porcelain, cleaning is more complicated, since dust and dirt remain in the cracks. In this case you should sweep in all directions to make sure you remove all the dirt. Then you should use a neutral detergent and a hard bristle brush, to finish drying with cloth.

2. To clean polished porcelain, use a dry mop to remove the dust. It is not recommended to use any type of broom or brush as it can damage the glaze of the tile. After sweeping, use water with neutral detergent and clean the tiles with a cloth. Finish using a clean cloth to dry the floor and restore its shine.

3. If your floors are of unpolished porcelain, you must first sweep or vacuum to remove all dirt or dust. In a bucket of hot water, add bleach without detergent and apply it on the floor. Clean the floor by rubbing with a soft brush and remove any residue with a clean cloth. Finally, remove the excess with enough clean water.

Care and maintenance of ceramics:

Ceramic is quite common in tile or bathroom tile or kitchen mainly, although in recent years it has also become common in living rooms and bedrooms. This material allows infinity of designs and applications, and will always look good, if they stay clean and bright.

• Remember that joints and corners always get very dirty. Therefore, toothbrushes can be very useful to clean those areas of difficult access.
• A quick cleaning solution is to use a mixture of vinegar, ammonia and detergent; but beware! remember to perform a pre-test in an inconspicuous area to make sure you do not cause damage.

Follow these tips:

• Clean the waste floor with a broom or a vacuum cleaner and pay special attention to the joints.
• Spread a soft cloth moistened with warm water and a ceramic cleaner. Do not use any abrasive element since you can scratch the ceramic.
• Use a toothbrush to clean joints and corners.
• Wipe dry with a cloth.

Luxury vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for any type of flat floor. Here at ASC Building Supplies you will find an unmatched option.

A few days ago, they sent me a questionnaire, from pisos.com, asking me to fill it in, as a contribution to an article that, about the opportunities that old houses offer, they are thinking about writing.

We understand that when we talk about an old floor, we refer not only to a house that is considerably old (older than 30 years), we are also referring to that it has not been rehabilitated by the property for sale. That is to say, that with small repairs, it is basically in the original conditions or, at least, that it has not been rehabilitated in the last 30 years.

If you are looking for real quality inspections of the building you want to buy, we will be able to carry out a study of the situation, do not hesitate to contact Able Building Inspections.

1. What are the advantages of buying an old apartment in front of a newly built one?

Normally the best location / price ratio. The oldest places are usually closer to the old towns, so they benefit from better services (quantity and proximity) due to the urban model in which they were built (compact, complex and integrating), front to new homes that are usually found in areas that are less well served by public transport, with fewer services in terms of quantity and typology.

The main problem of old houses is that they are usually linked to the architectural barriers that affect the disabled.

Another negative aspect can be associated with the settlement of marginal population, taking advantage of the existence of unoccupied homes for years, and even the poor state of buildings that have not been properly maintained. This circumstance usually occurs in some downtown neighbourhoods only in large cities, a consequence inherited from the old Urban Leasing Law.

From the economic point of view, older houses tend to correspond to lower financial burdens (in the form of mortgages), which allows a negotiation between owner and buyer more independent, without having to rely on the participation of the lender. That usually places its negotiation limit – in front of a buyer-user – in the amount of the debt, regardless of whether it accesses the subrogation thereof.

2. Would these same advantages be maintained if the floor was 20 years ago than it was 30 or 50 years ago?

In most cases, naturally depending on the size of the population, as well as its demographic development in recent decades, greater seniority corresponds to a better location, as well as lower mortgage burdens, which allows better negotiation Purchase prices.

3. Deflect two myths: are old houses in general better built than new ones? Are they usually smaller than new construction?

The constructive quality of the old houses in very varied, finding homes with magnificent qualities, speaking in comparison with the current ones, built in the 20s and 30s, and very low-quality houses built in the 60s. And vice versa.

The quality has been very linked, usually, to the urban quality, at least in the 70s and 80s.

In any case, in an old house should be considered its state of preservation, the adequacy of its facilities to the current comfort and quality requirements and – this aspect is very important – the state of conservation of the building in which it is located.

4. Old floors tend to be more central, what do buyers currently prefer: better location or more space to live?

My experience in this regard is limited, but we have been able to observe that generally, if it is linked to a good public transport (preferably metropolitan rail and / or commuter rail), greater areas are chosen.

5. What aspects should be taken into account before buying an old floor? (Moisture problems, structural, spills, installations, reforms, etc.)

Previously commented that it is key that the building in which the house is located is in perfect condition, having successfully passed the I.T.E. If it has not been overcome, the costs, both economic and comfortable – due to the consequences of the execution of the works – will be assessed and will be weighed if they are compensated in the purchase price and in the degree of final satisfaction.

Regarding the state of the dwelling, its conservation status should be taken into account, which is not only the “decoration” – which is better or worse painted, etc. – that should be associated with the age of the water, electricity, service connections, etc., having as a valid criterion that they should be renewed, at most, every 30 years, if you do not want to enter into a dynamic of permanent repairs, usually they suppose an accumulated amount, in money and inconveniences, superior to the necessary reform.

In the old floors it can also be very important to check the possible debts with the community of owners, with the water, gas, electricity companies, with the municipal and regional haciendas, as well as if there was some type of disciplinary file in the area of ​​urban planning.

6. Do you think it would be advisable to hire an architect, appraiser or surveyor to make a report on the condition of the old apartment before buying it?

Personally, we understand that you should not undertake the purchase of an old home if you do not have the advice of a professional in reforms, able to detect deficiencies and evaluate costs. We could find ourselves immersed in a ruin that would destroy our economy and our physical and mental health. Unless the buyer possesses such knowledge.

7. Are there more possibilities to apply a discount to the price of old places? What percentage of maximum discount could be discounted on the price of the house?

Given that we are facing a high-risk commercial operation, which requires a minimum of knowledge, by the buyer, and important investments, after the sale, the number of potential buyers is quite small, so the seller finds few opportunities to close the operation. This necessarily facilitates the possibilities of reducing prices, which is also required given the amount of subsequent investments. The negotiation must contemplate the estimated amount of these subsequent investments, with a certain margin to the upside, given the uncertainty that always exists in this type of works, where it is not just discovered all the problems until you start chopping floors ceilings and walls.

In any case, the possibility of negotiation, as in any type of sale, is conditioned by the need of the seller and the amount of the possible mortgage, which in these cases, by its own trajectory, is usually small, if any.

Finally, as in any purchase that does not consist in acquiring a property owned by a financial institution, it is advisable to have a very secure financing, apart from the real estate guarantee itself, which will be of little use at the present time, so that grant a mortgage.

At Able Building Inspections we are specialists in the inspection of buildings that have been affected over time. With over 23 years of experience inspecting buildings and helping people make the smartest choice when looking to purchase a house.

Note: The information and instructions provided are provided as general information and should not be considered specific suggestions for a particular roof.

An important aspect to maintain a house in good condition, and complete the roofing system, are the roof vents. The ventilation installation is a crucial part of the roof design because it allows proper attic ventilation, which can help prevent condensation and premature aging of roofing materials.

Lee Meehan Roofing is where you will find top experts with a lot of experience in the field. We pride ourselves in being a reliable option for all building owners and families who want to hire experts that will take care of delivering top quality roofing.

Advantages of adequate roof ventilation

While there are different types of roof vents to choose from, making sure you have the right amount of ventilation inlets and outlets is a central part of the roof design. Proper ventilation of the attic provides numerous advantages to the owner:

• Ventilation helps regulate the temperature of the attic, it also helps regulate the temperature of the rest of the home.
• It helps to avoid the accumulation of humidity in the attic and, in the colder months, this in turn allows to prevent problems of condensation that can affect the materials of the attic space, especially the insulation.
• By preventing the excessive accumulation of heat, adequate ventilation favours energy efficiency at home; therefore, heating costs may be lower.
• It helps to protect the useful life of roofing materials (condensation is one of the main causes of damage to roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles).
• It helps you comply with most local building codes, which often require adequate ventilation of the attic in the apartment.

How to calculate the amount of ventilation needed

Note: The following information contains suggestions for houses with ventilated attics. There are some styles of houses with vaulted ceilings or flat roofs that have ventilation spaces within the roof itself and no attic. The ventilation needs for this type of housing are calculated differently.

The key to achieving adequate ventilation of the roof and attic is the balance: the amount of space you dedicate to the air intake should be equal to the one you leave for the exit, and both should be calculated based on the size of the attic and the roof slope.

To calculate the attic ventilation requirements, you can determine the square footage of the attic floor (width by length) and compare that figure with the total net free space required. The ventilations are rated according to your free space, that is, the amount of space for the air inlet or outlet. In this way, it is easy to calculate how many ventilations you need for your attic, once you have determined your requirements.

If the attic floor has a vapour barrier, you will need a square foot of free space for every 300 square feet of attic floor area (half of that will be used for entry and the other half for exit). If there is no vapor barrier, you must double the amount; that is, you will need one square foot of free space for every 150 square feet of attic floor space (half for entry and half for exit). These are general guidelines; Be sure to check your local building code.

Then, you can begin to choose the style and type of ventilation you prefer for your home.

It is important to remember that it is always better to have excessive air intake than insufficient air outtake, and in many houses the necessary air intake is poorly calculated. Do not worry so much about having too much ventilation inlet; it is better to sin of exaggerated.

The most popular way to ventilate an attic is to take advantage of the buoyancy or natural tendency of warm and humid air to rise, especially when pushed by the cold air below. Houses are naturally filled with warm and humid air daily thanks to human physiology and activities such as cooking and bathing.

To maximise this effect, the ventilation inlets of the house are usually installed in the lower part of the roof (near the eaves), while the ventilation outlets are located in a higher position (near the top), to allow cold air to push hot air out more easily.

Roof vents are the most adequate option

Before beginning to work on the installation of roof vents, the roofer should determine what type of vents your home needs (or which ones you prefer) and how many you will need according to the calculations explained above.

Next, we describe the different types of roof vents, which will vary according to the needs and architectural style of your home, the geography and meteorological patterns of your region, and the structure of the roof.

These are general guidelines, since most manufacturers will offer instructions on how to install ceiling vents in the best way and what measures should be taken to comply with the specifications of the warranty.

Soffit vents are one of the most popular ventilation inlet types: they are easy to install under the roof overhang (known as «soffit»), are generally hidden and provide excellent protection against weather, waste from outside and pests, while allowing air to enter the attic.

The soffit vents are usually made of aluminium or vinyl and are installed in the soffit, the surface under the eaves of the roof. The soffit vents are highlighted by their small slots that provide an open space through which the air can circulate. There are several diverse types and styles of soffit vents. Always remember to check with the manufacturer that the chosen ventilation has enough net free space for your project.

Beyond the type of style chosen, it is essential to keep soffit vents free of debris or accumulated dirt so that air can circulate freely through the slots.

Owners must also make sure that the attic insulation does not block air circulation. Verify that the insulation is collected so that it does not cover the vents or ask the roofer to install vents in the attic to prevent the insulation from covering the edge of the soffit.

Here at Lee Meehan Roofing, we recommend top material that will help you a lot in fulfilling the task previously mentioned, that of protecting you and your family.