Choose Tile Floors

This year has been an extreme experience for us around here. Our house has been greatly affected by the disastrous climate conditions. First, there was the storm that tossed a tree onto the roof, punching holes in it big enough to cause a leak and ruin the bedroom ceiling. It was a terrifying encounter and luckily the tree did not go all the way through the roof. We were fortunate. It could have smashed us in our bed while we were sleeping. This house is ancient. My mom made the plans and had it constructed in the 70's. Although it is on in years, and needs repairs, I love this old house. Also, for my many years of living in this house and from my understanding, the valley in the structure of the roof requires a mesh design to keep the leaks away. I told the roof repairman about this. However, he did not pay attention, and fixed it in his own way as he had done with roofs over the years. I did not get back to him. Lesson: Never assume anything and always make sure the work is done according to your specifications. Make certain that the work done is correct since you are the one paying for it. After the roof and bedroom ceiling repairs, followed the hail storms.

Our roof was mounted with ice during the winter. The water started to pool inside the roof, as the ice began to melt bit by bit. It dripped down the wall and destroyed the kitchen floor.

So, we weighed all our options. What kind of floor did we want for the kitchen? Does it have to be laminate, linoleum, vinyl, tile or wood? We reviewed their disparities and chose ceramic tiles as the best. Vinyl floors are made of chlorinated petrochemicals, linoleum are from raw and natural ingredients, while tile is remarkably stain and water resistant that makes it suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Ceramic tile is produced from clay, marble, slate, glass or flint. We want our floors to be made of wood, however, our kitchen gets occupied frequently by us than any other room in the house, so tiles it is. It was the best choice we ever made. Aside from utterly stunning, tiles are strong, can endure for many years, and its upkeep is minimal.

A simple mopping with a good cleaner will keep your tile floor looking great for many years to come. We use floor cleansers that are not environment-hazard. Avoid using abrasive cleansers, brushes or scouring pads because these can graze the tile floor. Through time, constant use of bleach can cause the tile grout to discolor, so stay away from bleaches. Your new ceramic floor can be topped with a seal or glaze. Just ponder on it. I prefer to wax the floor for easier care.

Keep your floor clean on a regular basis to prevent dirt build-up. You can sweep the floor or vacuum it (one that does not have beater bars as it can scratch the tile), and wet the mop in between complete cleaning. Do not use products that are ammonia-based on glazed tile, immediately mop spills as soon as they occur to avoid staining on the tiles, and put mats at the entrance door to catch dust and dirt.

There is just something about the feel of tile beneath your feet. I go barefoot in the house almost always, even in the winter. During summer, the surfaces of tiles are cool, but during winter they feel warm. Cleaning it is easy, its designs are very beautiful and the tiles itself are enduring. What more could I ask of a floor?

Maintain your floor dry and dirt free by using wood floor mops. At www.safehomeproducts.com, there are lots of mops to choose from.