Picking the right flooring depends on a number of variables, including your budget, lifestyle and personal preference. Since many types of flooring are relatively permanent, the flooring you choose should be tailored to how you’ll use the room and how practical it needs to be. Once you’ve selected your new flooring, there are some basic steps you can take to ensure a smooth installation process:
Pre-installation
• Prior to the arrival of the installation crew, makes arrangements for them to remove your old flooring.
• Make sure all painting is complete before your new flooring arrives.
• Empty all rooms and closets to be resurfaced prior to the arrival of the installers. • Remove and box any valuable items near the area of installation.
• Disconnect and move electronics, appliances and computers.
• Make sure the installation crew has access to a location where they can store and cut flooring materials.
• Ensure the crew has access to electrical power in the installation area.
• If your installation requires sanding, cover all cupboards and furniture in the area.
Post-installation
• Thoroughly inspect the flooring once the installation has been completed and immediately bring any concerns to the crew’s attention.
• Hinged doors may require trimming for proper clearance once your new flooring is installed.
• Your installation may require touch-ups to walls, moldings and baseboards.
• Clean the floor after the installation crew removes all the generated waste.
• Use fans to properly ventilate your floor for up to 72 hours after installation.
Regardless of its pristine condition, new carpet is still subject to everyday wear. Here are some common carpet conditions and ways to correct them:
Sprouting. Sharp vacuum cleaner edges, children’s toys, high heels and animal claws can cause this condition. If loose ends or “sprouts” extend above the rest of the pile, trim them evenly with the pile surface—never try to pull them out. After clipping, smooth the area with your fingers.
Pile crushing. All carpet fibers will crush under heavy, stationary loads, but crushing can be reduced by regularly shifting furniture. To restore crushed areas, cover the carpet with a damp, clean cloth and then carefully apply heat to the cloth with an electric iron on a low setting. Remove the cloth and restore the pile while it’s still hot by brushing it lightly. Keep traffic off the carpet until it’s dry.
Shading. After certain carpet styles have been subjected to traffic, you may notice areas that appear lighter or darker than other areas. This is called shading, and it’s the result of the change in direction of the pile due to pressure from footsteps and vacuuming. Brushing the pile in one direction may temporarily correct shading; however, shading is part of the carpet styling and should be expected to varying degrees. Don’t mistake shading for color fading.
Pile distortion/roll crush. When carpet is manufactured, inspected, handled and shipped, it’s rolled and unrolled many times, which causes a common problem called pile distortion. To correct it, vacuum the carpet, increase the room’s relative humidity to 50 percent or more, and allow the carpet to sit for several weeks in humid conditions and slightly longer in low humidity conditions.
