Repairing Damaged Tile

Accidents happen.  It’s a part of life.  So what do you do when your tile is damaged?  While the type of damage plays a role in determining what type of repair is needed, here are a few scenarios for tile repairs:

Loose tile
Whenever your tile is loose and wobbling, you need to consider removing the tile and replacing it.  However, if you are able to lift the tile out in one piece, you can just simply re-adhere it to the floor.

Cracked tile
A cracked tile can ruin the look of any living space.  To repair, remove the cracked tile (in pieces, if necessary), and then replace it.  Cracked tiles are due to poor installation or a flaw in the manufacturing of a tile.

Uneven, chipping tile
The main cause of uneven, chipping tile is an uneven layer of thin set that is applied during installation.  This uneven thin set then does not allow your tiles to lay flat across your floor, causing some edges to become raised, creating chipping.

To help fix your damaged tile, follow these steps:

1.  If the tile is already cracked, take advantage of the crack!  Chisel along the fissure line on the crack to help separate the tile until you are able to start getting under the tile to remove it.

2.  Once it is removed, you need to prepare the floor for a new tile by using a scraper to remove all of the old thin set.  You might need to use a hammer and chisel to chip away the thin set.

3.  Now that the area is cleaned, you can place a new layer of thin set on the floor (try using a trowel or spatula).  Place the tile on the floor, making sure to use a level!  Allow the thin set to dry approximately 24 hours.

4.  After the thin set is dry, you can now add your grout.  Make sure your grout color matches that of the existing grout.  After adding the grout, use a sealant on the new area.

Follow these simple steps on repairing your damaged tile and your flooring will look as good as new!

Mudroom Flooring Options

Looking for the perfect flooring for your mudroom? It’s essential to choose something that is both durable and long-lasting, but doesn’t clash with the rest of your interior décor. Here are some suggested flooring options:

Marazzi USA Stone Age Glazed Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile
Ceramic tile is the perfect choice in a mudroom due to its durability and ease of cleaning. This tile is a very affordable choice and can be a do-it-yourself project on the weekend!  An additional benefit to ceramic tile is that it‘s available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so it’s sure to match the décor of your mudroom.

Natural stone
If you’re looking for a very unique, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind flooring, look no further than natural stone. If properly sealed, natural stone is easy to maintain and very durable. If your mudroom needs to be extra-tough, try choosing a natural stone or tile with a rough texture to help create a better non-slip surface.

Wood floors
If stone does not flow with the rest of your interior décor, wood flooring is another favorite. With a luxurious look, wood flooring is a timeless selection. If your mudroom will be one that gets lots of traffic, choose a hardwood or reclaimed wood with your favorite finish and stain color. One of the downsides of wood floors is that it can show scratches and wear-and-tear over time. If you choose wood floors for your mudroom, make sure you wipe up any water that gets tracked in so the wetness doesn’t penetrate the wood.

Vinyl floors
For an inexpensive and durable look to your mudroom, look no further than vinyl flooring. While this won’t “last a lifetime” like other flooring options, vinyl flooring is essentially maintenance-free. Depending on the size of your space, installing vinyl flooring can be an easy DIY weekend project!

Flooring Options that Keep Allergies Away

The average person spends 12-15 hours in their home every day. Although you may not realize it, the flooring chosen for your home can help impact your allergy symptoms, especially during the fall and winter months. Dust mites, which can dwell in carpet or on cloth surfaces in your home, are known to cause allergies/asthma symptoms to almost 90% of people who suffer from allergies. Spending so much time at home with the potential of these dust mites living in your carpeting can worsen your allergy symptoms!

Carpeting might not be the best answer for your home flooring; here are some other types of flooring that can help air quality in your home:

Vinyl floors
The smooth surface of vinyl flooring minimizes the accumulation of dust or other allergens on your floor. If you suffer from allergies and want to install vinyl flooring, be sure to use low-VOC glue to prevent having an allergic reaction to the adhesive.

Cork flooring
Another innovative and environmentally-friendly source of flooring is cork flooring. Cork is not only warm and cushiony beneath your feet, but it also has a distinct surface that prevents dust from being absorbed into it.

Ceramic tile
As one of the most hypoallergenic flooring options, ceramic tile offers a hard, slick surface on your floor, reducing dust, mold, and other allergens. Although this flooring is the number one choice of people who suffer from allergies, ceramic tile is known for being very cold, limiting its installation to certain rooms.

Wood, bamboo, and laminate flooring
Wood, bamboo, and laminate flooring are other hard surface floors that help reduce dust and allergens and are much easier to clean; one dry mop is enough to eliminate any dust or allergens present on your flooring. In addition to wood flooring, try using wooden blinds in your home instead of curtains or drapes.

When making purchase decisions regarding the flooring in your home, it’s important to realize the benefits of using alternate forms of flooring rather than carpeting. These simple substitutions for carpet can help make all the difference in your indoor allergy symptoms!