The chemical residue in layers of cigarette smoke can be tough to tackle, but TSP (trisodium phosphate) or ammonia are both effective. Though chemical companies claim it isn’t medically proven that PFAS have caused any deaths, thousands of people poisoned by the compounds have died from diseases linked to them. Laminate flooring isn’t limited to looking like a variety of wood. Designed to look like wood flooring, laminate is cheaper, doesn’t need to be nailed, sanded, stained or finished, and is quite resistant to scratches, denting, fading and stains. Now that you’ve prepped your room like a master painter preps a canvas, you’re ready for the actual install. Available in a slew of colors and styles, some laminate flooring is designed to mimic various wood grains; others look like ceramic tiles. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified wood dust as a nasal carcinogen in humans. Manufacturers recommend using a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health designated dust mask.

As the printing technology used by laminate floor manufacturers has improved, so has the look of the laminate flooring. If the drywall doesn’t meet the floor in any spots, create a solid wall surface with a 2- to 3-inch-wide (5 to 7 cm) facing strip of quarter-inch (6 mm) plywood at the stud. You want a clean, flat surface to work with so your new floor can look its best. First off, the subfloor should be flat. At the bottom of the tuck, as close to the riser-tread corner as possible, nail a second flat fastening strip straight across the folded carpeting, teeth pointing down. Then bring the runner back up over the fastened-down tuck, stretch it into position with the kicker onto the next tread fastening strip, wedge the riser-tread joint, and move on to the next stair. Stretch the carpet into place with the knee kicker and wedge the cut end of the runner into the gap between the tread fastening strip and the last riser. How to Install Carpeting: Need to carpet an entire room?

You’ll need a robotic pool cleaner that can reach all the way from one side to the other without having to unplug it from one power source and connecting it somewhere else. E-cigarette users inhale the way they would with a regular cigarette. There’s a wheel deflector on this model that comes in very useful when the cleaner is making its way around tight corners. The best option for pool owners on a budget is a suction pool cleaner. Use these tips to keep your carpeting looking its best. In this article, we will discuss the tips and tricks to organizing a closet that will quell the war of sexes. Manufacturers will recommend that the room be kept at a minimum temperature, around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), for two days before, during and two days after the installation. Because laminate flooring is made from natural cellulose fibers, the material will expand and contract with changes in humidity. Instead, it sits on top of it, enabling it to move with changes in the humidity.

If the room’s relative humidity is between 45 and 65 percent, a minimum quarter- to half-inch (6 to 13 mm) gap or expansion zone between the laminate flooring and walls must be left around the perimeter of the room and any fixed vertical surfaces such as pipes, cabinets or staircases. Place spacers along each wall to set up the expansion zone. Set the first plank down, and add another piece of the flooring to the right, lining up the short ends and locking them into place. Hi Sarah. Thanks for yet another informative piece. Carpet-Cleaning Tips: Whether due to spills and stains or just a lot of traffic, carpet gets dirty over time. There are minimal maintenance and part replacement costs on these devices over time. Smaller tanks are easier to handle and store but require more frequent refills and are better suited for smaller spaces or spot cleaning. We do, in a very real sense, eat with our eyes, or more specifically, with our heads. In a laboratory environment, scientists are limited in what they can do, since they can’t test on people. For that same reason, laminate flooring is not considered a good choice in areas that are subject to high levels of humidity, such as bathrooms, saunas and laundry rooms.