Archive for the ‘Flooring News & Tips’ Category

Glazed vs. Unglazed Tiles: Which Should I Choose?

Tile is one of the most popular flooring options due to its durability and variety of options. Having a wide selection of options when choosing a tile can be overwhelming. We’ve broken it down to the most common forms: glazed and unglazed tiles.

The Difference Between Glazed and Unglazed Tiles

The difference between glazed and unglazed tiles really comes down to whether or not an enamel liquid is added to the clay tile before it is heated in a kiln. This small action actually creates many differences in the look, feel, and maintenance of tiles.

Glazed Tiles

Glazed, in this case, does not mean that the tiles are always shiny or glossy. Glazed isn’t the appearance of the tile, rather, it’s the process the tile underwent. Glazed tiles have liquid glass applied to the tile right before it goes into a kiln. Glazed tiles can come in matte or gloss finishes.

Benefits

Glazed tiles have many benefits that make them the most popular option for tile flooring. One of the biggest reasons homeowners choose glazed over unglazed is the fact that glazed tiles are non-absorbent their entire life. They are easier to maintain and won’t fade over time because of their protective sealant.

Drawbacks

While glazed tiles have many attractive benefits, they do come with some drawbacks compared to their unglazed counterparts. Glazed tiles are not as thick as unglazed tiles, meaning they are more prone to cracking and showing wear over time, especially in high foot traffic areas. Additionally, glazed tiles tend to be more slippery.

Unglazed Tiles

Unglazed tiles are still fired in a kiln, but do not receive the liquid glass enamel before being fired. This is why they are referred to as “unglazed.” Though it’s only one difference in the tile-making process, unglazed tiles have just as many benefits and drawbacks as glazed tiles.

Benefits

Unglazed tiles are tough, due to their thicker and denser structure. This makes them ideal for heavy traffic areas and commercial spaces. Unglazed tiles also have an earthy appearance because minerals and pigments in the tile show through. Plus, unglazed tiles are slip-resistant, making them perfect for your pool deck!

Drawbacks

There are more attributes to consider about unglazed tiles. Because they are not sealed, they absorb liquids and are more prone to staining compared to glazed tiles. And unless you want a natural look, the pigments on unglazed tiles may actually be a negative.

Floor Removal with Speedy Floor Removal

If you are planning on installing new tile flooring, you’ll need to remove your old flooring. Don’t get bogged down with the dust, stress, or mess. Trust your floor removal project with the Speedy Floor Removal team. With convenient locations around North and Central Florida, we can handle your floor removal project!

Fill out our online form to receive a free project estimate.

Should I Add New Flooring Before Selling My Home?

If you are looking to sell your home right now or in the near future, you want to minimize costs while also maximizing the selling price. Some upgrades aren’t necessary when looking to increase your home’s resale value. Flooring, however, is one of the most effective ways to make your home more attractive to potential buyers while also increasing your home’s value.

Analyze Your Current Flooring Before Selling

Before you make the decision to remove and replace your flooring, take a look at all of your flooring. If your floors appear to have no scratches or scuffs, you probably won’t need to replace them. You’ll need to look very closely at the carpet in your home because carpet shows signs of wear and staining more than other types of flooring. Also, if your flooring has almost reached the end of its useful life, consider replacing it because if not, your new buyers will have to, and they won’t want to.

Lastly, you’ll need to consider the market your home will be entering once you are ready to sell. New flooring in a home is largely decided on the neighborhood and how competitive your area is. It might be expected that homes in your area have new flooring. Other times, it’s a nice bonus, but not an expectation.

Three Things to Remember When Adding New Flooring

If you decide that it’s time to upgrade your floors, you’ll need to remember these three important things so that your time and resources aren’t wasted.

Flooring is the Cornerstone of Your Home

Flooring sets the tone for the entire home whether or not you realize it. It’s one of the first things a potential buyer will notice when they tour your home. If there’s anything wrong with your flooring, potential buyers will notice. Cracked tiles, carpet stains, or scuffed hardwood floors are enough to change buyers’ minds and could affect the appeal of buying your home. Flooring sets the precedent for the rest of your home, so it’s important to make a good first impression.

Divide and Conquer When Upgrading

During the initial survey of your home’s flooring, you can eliminate rooms with good flooring. Just because some certain rooms need new floors, doesn’t mean they all do. So, determine which floors should receive a little TLC. Two big areas to keep a careful eye on are the living room and your hallways. These two areas can make or break a potential buyer’s perception of your home.

Ditch the Carpet

Carpet in bedrooms is often expected by a buyer. This is really the only area that many buyers today will accept carpet to be located. Often, upgrading carpet is a need rather than a want because other flooring options last much longer and are easier to manage compared to carpet.

However, unclean carpet or one with noticeable spots and stains will turn buyers away from purchasing your home. Buyers are always worried about what could be lurking underneath stained or unsightly carpet. You should always replace carpet that has seen better days.

Choosing Your New Flooring

Now that you have a plan for the rooms that need new flooring, you’ll need to decide which flooring is the best option. Remember to consider:

  • Budget: Your budget will ultimately determine how much flooring you can replace and what kind you can install.
  • Traffic: Rooms that receive a lot of coming and going will call for different floor choices to withstand the daily wear and tear. Check out our blog on how to pick the best flooring based on different room requirements to narrow down your choices.
  • Style: Lastly, the style you choose for your flooring shouldn’t be “trendy” because what you install will need to last for a while. You want to appeal to a large number of buyers too.

Have Your Floor Removed by Speedy Floor Removal

Replacing your old flooring before selling will improve the look of your home, but also increase its resale value. Before you install new flooring, you should make sure that your old flooring is thoroughly removed to make a clean slate. Speedy Floor Removal has completed thousands of residential floor removal projects and can help you remove your old floors. Contact us today in your service area to receive a free project estimate.

How to Protect Your Home’s Flooring During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is packed with fun opportunities to relax, see friends and family, give and receive gifts, and celebrate. While the holiday season may hold great things in store, your floor may be susceptible to greater damage.

The Holidays are Tough on Your Floors

You may have friends and family visiting you during the holidays, which is always a treat! But more people in your home will cause your floor to receive more traffic, have opportunities for damage, and be exposed to more outdoor elements.

Five Ways to Protect Your Floors During the Holidays

You don’t have to cancel your holiday parties or decline hosting your family this Christmas in order to save your floors. We have five helpful ways to ensure that you can enjoy your holidays while also protecting your flooring!

Ensure That Your Furniture Has Protection

If you are hosting Christmas dinner or entertaining for a holiday get-together, your guests will most likely need to move around chairs. You may even need to arrange furniture to fit the needs of your party. If you have hardwood or tile flooring, you should ensure that your furniture won’t scuff the floor beneath when you are moving and rearranging.

You can easily install protective felt pads to the feet of your chairs, couches, tables, and barstools to protect your flooring, especially for hardwood floors. Plus, these felt pads provide protection year-round!

Clean Before and After Guests Leave

It’s probably obvious that you should clean your space before any guests arrive, but it’s equally important to clean as soon as possible once they leave. Vacuuming up dirt or any debris will eliminate the risk of it causing more damage. Dirt that accumulates over time can threaten the surface of your flooring if stepped on or moved around. Save yourself from future trouble and sweep or vacuum after your guests leave.

Add Festive Doormats and Rugs

When you are decorating your home for Christmas, add festive doormats and rugs to your space to add holiday charm, but also another layer of
protection. Placing a holiday-themed doormat outside your door will remind guests to wipe off their shoes before entering your home. You can also add an interior mat or rug as a place where guests can remove their shoes, so no dirt can be tracked throughout your home.

Rugs throughout your home will also limit the amount of damage that can occur to your flooring. A dropped plate, high heels, or a fallen ornament can occur during the holiday season. Keep your floors protected with the addition of rugs throughout your home.

Be Proactive About Real Christmas Trees

If you are choosing to house a real Christmas tree, you’ll need to water it. Water and your flooring don’t exactly get along, so make sure that you are protecting the floor underneath and around your Christmas tree. Adding a waterproof mat underneath the tree stand will protect from any water that might spill. Plus, you can add a festive tree skirt overtop for a clean look. Don’t be tempted to use towels instead of purchasing a water-resistant barrier, as towels will not protect your flooring. Instead, they will absorb and hold onto excess water causing greater damage.

Inspect Your Flooring After the Holidays

Lastly, once the holiday season comes to a close, it’s recommended to take a look at your flooring. Did your carpet survive the spilled champagne on New Year’s Eve? Did your tile floor remain unscathed from your frequent cooking or holiday party? If your floor looks great, awesome! If not, no worries. You have options for dealing with damaged flooring after the holidays end.

Ready for New Flooring? Contact Speedy Floor Removal

If your flooring is showing signs of wear and tear, you may need to consider replacing your floor. Or, you may not have been as proactive as you’d like and your floor received more damage this holiday season.

Whatever the circumstances may be, if you are interested in upgrading your floor in the new year, contact Speedy Floor Removal for your floor removal needs. We make it quick and easy to remove damaged flooring to make way for resilient, new flooring. With multiple locations across Florida, contact us to get started on your project.

Best Flooring for Your Commercial Spaces

Whether you have a large restaurant or a small office, choosing flooring for your commercial space takes hours of research and planning. Different areas of your workspace will call for different flooring needs, such as durability or water resistance. We’re here to help you decide which flooring will serve your business best depending on a variety of factors.

How to Pick Flooring for Your Office and Commercial Space

Before we break down the best commercial flooring options, we first need to discuss the different aspects of flooring you need to consider. Just like when you choose to install flooring into your home, you’ll need to consider a few different things before you make your final decision.

Criteria for Floor Selection

  • Room Use: You’ll first need to decide on the different areas of your business that will call for different flooring needs. For example, lobbies will have different needs than a commercial kitchen.
  • Level of Traffic: You should also consider how much traffic these floors will receive. A conference room won’t require as durable of a surface compared to the front waiting room where everyone will have to walk through.
  • Look and Feel: Next, the flooring you choose should match the rest of your office decor. A modern corporate office will call for different flooring than a cozy coffee shop. Consider the look you want to achieve before selecting the perfect flooring compliment.
  • Level of Maintenance: Lastly, you’ll want to consider how much time you want to invest in maintaining the flooring. Hardwood will look beautiful in your office space but will need to be treated more often than laminate flooring.

Best Flooring Options Based on Your Commercial Space

Now that you understand the criteria to consider for your new commercial flooring, you can see which options are better suited for the different areas of your business.

Lobby or Reception Area

orange couch in a lobby

Most businesses feature a front area known as the lobby or reception area. This is most likely detached from the rest of your commercial space but should be inviting to potential customers and clients as they first enter your commercial space. You’ll want a durable flooring option because of the amount of traffic this area will receive daily.

The best option for an aesthetically pleasing and durable floor would be choosing tile or laminate floors. Both of these options are extremely durable and compliment the feel of your space. Tile comes in a variety of options and can withstand the amount of coming-and-going your lobby will receive. Laminate is also a great option because it is scratch-resistant and a cost-effective equivalent to hardwood floors.

Conference Room and Other Meeting Spaces

Your business might include a conference room and other meeting spaces for important presentations or internal discussions. These spaces won’t receive as much high traffic compared to other areas of your commercial space. You can opt for a more impressive flooring option that doesn’t require the durability needed for your lobby.

These floors will likely be more geared towards impressing potential clients, therefore you can choose hardwood floors or higher-end carpets. Both of these options are bound to wow everyone that enters your meeting space.

Open Office Area

The inner workings of your business will occur either in an open office space, cubicles, or individual offices. You’ll need flooring that can support moderate levels of traffic, but also should reduce noise levels. No one wants to work in an environment when the sounds of footsteps can constantly be heard!

Carpet is one of the best choices for these large areas due to their noise-canceling feature. Plus, it’s more cost-effective to install carpet in the largest part of your business and carpet can come in a multitude of styles to match your commercial space’s look.

Restaurants and Food Service

sitting area in restaurant

As a more specific type of business, restaurants require different needs from their flooring. You’ll have two main areas to think of in a food service business: the dining area and the kitchen. In the dining area, you’ll want durability that also matches the overall aesthetic of your establishment. Tile is great, but be warned. One dropped plate can lead to cracks in your tile floor. We recommend choosing laminate flooring instead. It’s at a competitive price-point, durable, long-lasting, and comes in a variety of styles.

In the kitchen, choose either ceramic tile or vinyl flooring. These are both durable and water-resistant options to keep your kitchen staff efficient and protected.

Commercial Floor Removal in North & Central Florida

If you are renovating an office space for your business, trust Speedy Floor Removal to remove the old flooring to create a smooth surface that is ready for your new flooring. Your floor should support you and your customers. Choosing to hire our floor removal experts ensures that your new flooring will last for years to come! View our service areas and request a project estimate in just minutes.

Tile Cracking? How to Remedy the Problem

Tile flooring is an attractive flooring choice in your home because of its aesthetics along with its durability. You may wonder why your durable flooring choice suddenly shows cracks. Before you can fix the problem, you first have to understand why the cracks occurred.

Why Your Tile Floor is Cracking

Your tile floor can last over 50 years with proper care, but it is susceptible to damage from things above and below the floor. We’ve outlined common reasons why your tile floor is cracking.

Heavy Items Delivering Sharp Blows

Many tile cracks occur in your kitchen because of the large appliances you need to cook, clean, and for storage. Appliances like fridges and dishwashers may be heavy, but tile is engineered to withstand their weight because it is evenly distributed in the four corners.

When you are moving appliances, you run the risk of delivering a sharp blow to your tile flooring. These drops cause serious damage to your tile, resulting in cracks and even deep chips. If you are having your appliances removed or installed, be sure that a professional is handling your appliances.

Concrete Cracking Below

concrete floor

Your tile may be perfectly safe on the outside, but underneath, a greater risk could lie. Concrete will naturally settle and crack along lines called “control joints.” Concrete will eventually crack as it settles, so control joints are the areas that are pre-planned to crack. If a tile is installed over these joints, cracking is inevitable. Tiles should be installed to line up with the joints, not on top of them.

The Cure Period for Concrete Was Too Short

Concrete is used to set a foundation. When it is poured, it contains a large amount of water. While this concrete “cures” or sits undisturbed, the water evaporates. While it dries out and water evaporates, the concrete will shrink. If concrete is still evaporating while tile flooring is installed, the concrete will shrink underneath, creating a gap. The tile can shift and move, increasing the risk of cracking.

Improper Installation

Tile can withstand moisture and the wear and tear your floor receives on a daily basis. However, tile can only serve you best if it is installed properly. Poor grouting, sealing, and installation can cause a variety of problems for your flooring. It won’t last nearly as long as it should and you’ll notice chips and cracks much sooner.

How to Fix Cracking Tile

So you have tiles that are chipped and cracked. Now what? It really depends on the number of cracked tiles and if the problem is structural or cosmetic to determine your next steps.

Only a Few Tiles Are Cracked

If you only notice a few tiles that are cracked, replacing them is a simple and easy option. It’s extremely important that you purchase 10% more tiles than what is needed for your installation in case cracks arise. It makes replacement much easier in times where your tiles are discontinued or hard to find. You can simply remove the problem tiles and replace them with new ones.

A Majority of Your Tiles Are Cracked

If a lot of your tile is cracked, it’s time to start from scratch. If you can’t live with seeing chipped, cracked, or broken tiles in your home, you’ll need to install new flooring. When it comes to floor removal, trust our experts to get the job done quickly, easily, and dust-free.

Cause of the Cracking

If cracking is merely from an accidental drop of furniture or normal wear and tear, you should be fine to replace the chipped tiles with new ones. If there are problems with the structure and installation of these tiles, you’ll need to start from scratch. Putting a band-aid on a problem that lies below the surface will only lead to the same result: more cracked tiles.

Tile Floor Removal with Speedy Floor Removal

When you are ready to say goodbye to your broken and chipped tile flooring, trust the experts at Speedy Floor Removal to remove your tile. We have completed thousands of tile removal projects. We utilize state-of-the-art technology to prepare the surface underneath for new tile. Plus, we use vacuums with HEPA filters to capture and collect dust!

Contact us today in your service area to get started on your project!

The Average Lifespan of Your Flooring

It’s only natural that your flooring will wear out over time. Maybe you installed flooring a long time ago or you’ve inherited an older home with flooring you didn’t choose, which begs the question: how do you know when you should replace your floor?

What Determines How Long Your Floor Will Last?

Aside from obvious stains and damage, your floor’s expiration date depends on the material it is made up of. Every material lasts for different lengths of time. However, the material used is just one indicator of how long your floor will hold up. Other factors include:

  • Quality of the material
  • If your flooring was properly installed
  • The amount of traffic that your floor experiences
  • If you are maintaining it regularly

The Lifespan of Common Flooring Materials

The lifespan of materials can’t be exactly predicted. Rather, there’s a range for each type of flooring’s lifespan. If you are properly maintaining your floor and minimizing the amount of damage it’s exposed to, your floor will tend to last longer.

Hardwood

dark brown hardwood floor

Hardwood flooring can last a lifetime, but the glossy shine of original wood flooring will fade over the course of its life. You’ll notice fading after about 25 years. Hardwood floors, if installed properly, can last 100 years.

Living in Florida, we experience higher levels of humidity and moisture which make hardwood floors deteriorate quicker compared to other parts of the country. Hardwood floors will also need to be replaced if there is shifting or movement in the boards. This is a result of improper installation.

Laminate

Laminate floors mimic the look of real hardwood floors without the high price tag. Laminate flooring will last anywhere from 15 to 25 years, depending on the factors mentioned previously. These “floating floors” are cost-effective but will need to be replaced more often than true hardwood floors.

Vinyl

Another cost-effective flooring option is vinyl flooring. Vinyl floors will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Though its lifespan may be shorter when compared to more traditional options like hardwood and tile, vinyl is extremely durable and resilient in your home. Plus, vinyl flooring won’t warp from moisture, an added bonus in our humid state.

Tile

white tile flooring

Tile flooring can last over 50 years with proper care. Glazed tile lasts longer because it is better protected against the wear and tear of daily life and it’s better protected against moisture, especially wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Tile can prove to be harder to maintain because broken tiles will need to be replaced. Just one chipped tile throws off the entire look of the floor. If you are installing tile, it’s best to get at least 10% more tile than you actually need for installation so you have spare tiles in the event of chipping or damage.

Carpet

closeup of cream colored carpet

Last, but certainly not least, is carpet. Carpet is an attractive floor option because of its price point and it’s soft cushioned surface. Carpet will typically last anywhere from 5 years (for lower quality carpet) all the way up to 25 years before it needs replacing. Depending on the quality of the carpet, you’ll notice fraying and lackluster appearance when it’s finally time to part with your carpet.

Carpet absorbs the wear and tear it receives. This goes unnoticed on top, but the pad underneath will reveal the damage. With regular cleaning and vacuuming, your carpet will last its full lifespan. However, if you own pets, your carpet will need replacing sooner.

Time to Replace Your Floor? Call Speedy Floor Removal

If your floor’s time is up, call Speedy Floor Removal to handle the removal! We take the time to carefully remove the top layer of your flooring as well as removing components all the way to the subfloor. This ensures a smooth surface for your new flooring to be installed on top of.

View our service areas and request a free floor removal estimate today!

7 Reasons to Choose Speedy Floor Removal

You have a lot of choices when selecting a floor removal company. Speedy Floor Removal is your number one choice for efficient, reliable, and cost effective floor removal. Not only do we remove your old floor with our state-of-the-art, virtually dustless removal system, we expertly prepare your subfloors for new installation. Speedy Floor Removal is your partner through the whole floor removal process.

#1: No Dust

We have invested thousands of dollars in dustless sub-floor preparation equipment to keep your home or business dust-free.

Did you know that just one square foot of floor removal can produce more than one pound of dust? Our state-of the-art machines suction dust and residue away as they work, making our floor removal process virtually dustless.

Other companies try to mitigate dust with tape and plastic sheeting, but we know from experience that these methods do not adequately contain the copious amounts of potentially dangerous dust created by traditional floor removal processes. This is why our suction machines use HEPA Certified Air Cleaners to capture dust before it spreads around your home or business.

#2: Speed

It’s in our name! Our battery powered, emissions free machines can remove the floors from an entire house or building in just one day.

Using Speedy Floor Removal to complete your floor removal project means the job will be done quickly and efficiently. Unlike handymen and other unspecialized contractors, we have the right equipment on hand to remove floors quickly. Removing old flooring and preparing subfloors for new installation is the only thing we do. We have spent years and thousands of dollars investing in doing it the right way.

#3: Skilled Professionals

Our crew of insured and highly skilled experts are trained to meet the toughest quality standards and committed to customer satisfaction.

Hiring the best professionals in the business is our top priority. We put the customer first and our crew treats your home with the care and respect it deserves. Our leadership, values, and highly skilled team are what set Speedy Floor Removal apart in an industry awash with unscrupulous fly-by-night businesses. Our team is not only highly skilled and proficient in using our industry-leading tools, but also extensively trained to protect your home and safely dispose of waste.

#4: A Better Installation

The highly efficient Speedy Floor Removal system achieves a perfectly level, superior sub-floor, ready for new installation.

Speedy knows floor removal is about so much more than just removing the existing flooring. Once the old flooring is removed, you are left with a variety of glues, residues, and other coatings from the previous flooring. Often several generations of flooring have used been in one area, leaving behind a whole time capsule of different adhesives! Placing new flooring on top of this mixture creates an uneven surface that looks bad, feels uneven underfoot, and seriously damage the new flooring over time.

Removing the old floor is only one part of our process. Our top-of-the-line grinders remove even the thinnest, most undetectable layers of sealant and adhesive, leaving your subfloor perfectly prepared for fresh, new flooring.

#5: No Damage

Our professional crew and state-of-the-art machines complete a safer, cleaner, and more carefully executed floor removal project.

You never know what is holding a floor down and removing old flooring can require a lot of force! Protecting your family, home, and belongings is a top priority for our entire crew. Every member of our team has been carefully trained in protecting your cabinets, furniture, walls, and other flooring.

Our equipment is the most sophisticated in the business, specifically designed to easily enter and exit your home leaving no impact. Trust your home to the experts who care.

#6: No Cleaning Bill

The fast and efficient Speedy Floor Removal system creates a simpler clean-up and disposal process, which translates into big savings.

Our state-of-the-art equipment uses built-in vacuum systems that remove dust as they work. Our team is specially trained to safely dispose of waste as it is collected.

Other services use tape and plastic barriers to protect your home from dust and particles. We know this is not enough! Dust becomes insidious and settles everywhere around your home. Speedy Floor Removal combines traditional plastic barriers with cutting-edge suction equipment to ensure your floor removal process is virtually dust-free, meaning the rest of your home does not need deep-cleaning after the project is finished.

#7: No Loose Ends

Speedy Floor Removal professionals do the job right the first time—saving you time and money.

Like any remodeling project, floor removal can come with lots of unexpected twists and turns. At Speedy, we know what to look for and assess the situation as soon as we enter your home. We endeavor to address and work with every unforeseen circumstance that comes our way, never leaving you high and dry with a half-finished project.

8 Things to Consider Before Buying New Flooring

Before starting the floor removal process, you have to buy new flooring to replace your current flooring. Purchasing new flooring for your home can be an intimidating process. There are several considerations you need to think about when making this decision. Here are the eight most important things, according to Speedy Floor Removal, to keep in mind before buying new flooring.

Room Location and Use

Where is the room located? What is it used for? If the room is located where people will be coming and going from outside, you might want to think about hardwood flooring or tile because they are easier to clean and maintain. If you will be standing for a long period of time in that room, you may want to go a different direction other than tile, due to how uncomfortable it can be to stand on tile flooring for long periods of time.

Climate

Before choosing your new flooring, you should consider where you live and the climate. Wood can warp and buckle and carpet can mold in humid environments. In Florida, the best types of flooring for the climate are tile or laminate flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring is designed to better withstand the climate of Florida.

Coordination

Not only will you want to think about what colors, patterns, and textures appeal the most to you, but you’ll also want to think about what compliments your current decor. If you won’t be redecorating afterward, you will probably want to choose a flooring that coordinates with your current furniture and accessories in the room.

Floor Care

Different flooring requires different maintenance. You will need to factor in what kind of upkeep and cleaning. Will you need to refinish the flooring later? Will it require steaming? You will need to determine how much time you will have for the required upkeep before making a decision.

Allergies

If you or someone in your home has allergies, carpet flooring may not be the best option for you. Carpet can accumulate allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and other potentially aggravating proteins. Tile and hardwood flooring collects fewer dust mites and allergens.

Installation

If you will be installing the new flooring yourself, you will need to know how to install the flooring you buy. If you choose to do the installation yourself, you will need to make sure you can identify and repair a faulty subfloor and know how to safely dispose of the old flooring. Some flooring may require professional removal.

Speedy Floor Removal can assist you in the floor removal process through our Speedy Assist program. Speedy Assist will provide you with industry-leading equipment and a highly trained expert so that you can get the job done quickly and efficiently!

Refinishing

If you currently have hardwood flooring, don’t be so hasty to rip them out before doing your research on your refinishing options. You may be able to preserve it with a new stain. Refinishing your current hardwood flooring can restore the wood’s original appearance and shine. You can even change its color or finish.

Additional Costs

Not only do you have to think about the cost of the new flooring you choose, but you also have to think about the cost of underlayment, delivery, and installation, as well as additional materials such as baseboards, stains, or adhesive. You should also factor in removal and disposal of your previous flooring.

 

Speedy Floor Removal removes all types of flooring and coverings, such as carpet, tile, and hardwood flooring for industrial, commercial, and residential facilities. We will prepare your surface by removing any epoxy, glue, oils, dust, and more in order for your flooring to look its best. We also will safely dispose of your old flooring when we are finished.

 

Contact Speedy Floor Removal today to get a free quote for your next project.

What’s So Bad About Tile Dust?

Not only is tile dust messy, it is also dangerous. Long-term exposure to tile dust can bring about a number of health issues. When renovating your home, you want to take as many precautions as possible to keep you and your family safe.

What is Dust?

Everyone has probably heard of dust, but do you really know what it is? More than half of the household dust is soil that has been brought into your home by shoes, bare feet, or airborne particles. The other half is an assortment of debris such as skin cells, food products, mold, kitchen grease, and more.

Dust also contains bacteria and fungi. The average American household contains up to 7,000 types of dust-related bacteria and 2,000 species of fungi. Your carpet alone can contain up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch. During the floor removal process, any of the bacteria or fungi trapped under the tiles can be released into the air with the tile dust.

Chemicals can be found in dust. Many popular construction materials, such as tile, contain a material called crystalline silica.

Materials which create crystalline silica dust that are found in your flooring include:

  • Quartz
  • Stone
  • Rock
  • Sand
  • Brick

The Dangers of Tile Dust

When the tile is broken apart and removed, crystalline silica can be ground down to microscopic particles and released into the air, creating dust that can lead to a variety of health complications. Crystalline silica is a lung carcinogen, meaning that constant exposure to this tile dust would cause serious lung problems.

According to the United States Department of Labor, “Silica dust is hazardous when very small (respirable) particles are inhaled. These respirable dust particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause disabling and sometimes fatal lung diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer, as well as kidney disease.”

Virtually Dustless Floor Removal

Whether you are removing tile, hardwood flooring, or carpet, the only way to have a dustless floor removal is to have the right equipment. With all of the dangers of dust inhalation, don’t take the risk. Call in the experts.

Speedy Floor Removal offers several floor removal packages that will leave your home free of dust. Speedy Dust Collection Systems collect almost one pound of dust per square foot, and our HEPA Certified Air Cleaners capture dust unseen to the eye. To learn more about our virtually dustless floor removal process, contact Speedy Floor Removal today.

Carpet vs. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is becoming more popular in modern day homes, but carpet isn’t going out of fashion either. When making a flooring decision for your new home or home renovation project, there are several things to consider.

 

Carpet

Pros

Having carpet in your home not only keeps your feet warm, but it is also soft. There is nothing better than the feeling of carpet in the winter time. The variety of types of carpet are endless, allowing you to find the perfect match for your home.

Carpet allows some flexibility in looks. There are carpet types for every occasion, whether you want a formal look in your home or a more casual feel. It is also generally a cheaper option compared to wood and ceramic. If you are remodeling on a budget, this is a great choice.

If your family stomps around the house, carpet may be perfect for you as it can provide noise insulation. No more being disturbed by the pounding of feet on the ground. Carpet will absorb all the sound to create a quiet atmosphere.

Cons

When it comes to carpet, maintenance isn’t as easy as other types of flooring. It can easily become stained from a single spill, taking a deep cleaning to get out. Spills can also lead to odor, even after the stain has been removed. Professional cleaning is an option to get tough stains and smells out, but it will cost you a pretty penny.

Carpet also isn’t as long-lasting as most flooring options. If it is well maintained with frequent vacuuming and steam cleaned once a year, you can extend its life a little longer. However, good upkeep can’t save carpet from general wear and tear such as mats or seams showing.

Dust mites, allergens, and moisture can hide deep within your carpet and not be picked up by your vacuum. Allergens trapped in carpet are especially troubling for families with small children. If you or someone in your household has severe allergies, this may not be the ideal flooring for you.

 

Hardwood Flooring

Pros

Hardwood flooring is a great way to make a room look clean and simple. With a wide variety of options, hardwood flooring makes it easy to find the right kind and price for you. And if you want to spice it up later, you can put a fun rug down.

If you have allergies, hardwood flooring is a great option. Unlike carpet, hardwood gives allergens no place to hide. Simply cleaning your floors will get rid of any allergens.

Cleaning hardwood floors is much easier than cleaning carpet. However, they do need to be cleaned more often. You want to make sure to sweep or vacuum and mop them every week or so. They will last a lifetime if well taken care of.

Cons

Buying and installing hardwood flooring is a hefty upfront investment compared to other flooring options. Hardwood will need to be refinished from time to time in order to keep it looking fresh.

Unlike carpet, hard surface floors make every little sound detectable. You’ll be able to hear kids, pets, and anyone else in the house walking around.

In the winter, hardwood flooring can be cold on your feet. However, an easy fix can be wearing socks or putting down a rug.

 

The Decision

When deciding between carpet and hardwood flooring, you also need to take your lifestyle into account. Do you have children? Are your pets potty-trained? What is your budget? These answers, along with all of the information above, will allow you to make an informed decision on your brand new flooring.

If you are planning a home renovation project, let the professionals of Speedy Floor Removal help you. We can remove your flooring safely and quickly.

To learn more about our floor removal service, contact us today!

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