Should You Refinish Hardwood Floors Yourself?

Hardwood floors have two big advantages over other types of flooring:

1. They’re a timeless mix of beauty and durability that pair with any design.2. If your hardwood floors get worn and scuffed, chances are good you won’t have to replace them; you can simply refinish them.We say “simply” with a word of caution, though. For a pro, the process is straightforward, although there are a lot of steps that must be completed carefully.DIYers, however, should think twice. Experience definitely counts when it comes to a good floor refinishing job. Mistakes show up big time on wood flooring, and you may end up devaluing your home’s appearance rather than improving it.

What Will a Pro Do? A professional wood floor refinisher takes 1 to 2 days to complete a simple job, and up to two weeks for a complex job calling for custom stains and finishes. Sometimes humid weather interferes with drying times and causes delays.A floor refinisher will do one of two things:1. Rebuff your finish. Wood floors are covered with a clear protective coating. Over time, that topcoat can get scratched and scuffed, but the wood floor underneath may be undamaged.If that’s the case, your floor refinisher will use a floor buffing tool and a succession of grits to restore the luster to your floor’s topcoat. The process is called screening. A new coat of clear finish completes the job. The job runs $1-$2 per sq. ft.Screening gets a bit more complicated if you’ve waxed or used an oil soap product to clean your floors. If so, your contractor has to remove any residue before buffing to make sure the new topcoat dries correctly.

2. Sand and finish your flooring. The contractor will sand your floors down to bare wood, then apply a stain and two to three coats of finish. The cost is $1.50 to $4 per sq. ft., depending on the repairs necessary and if staining is required.  (Pacific prices in at about $1.75 per foot)Steps in the Pro Sanding and Finishing Process Include:

Inspection. An estimator inspects your floors and takes measurements. He’ll check the thickness of your flooring to make sure there’s enough solid wood for a complete sanding job. A solid hardwood floor can take up to a dozen complete sanding and refinishing jobs during its 100-year lifespan. Laminated plank floors can be refinished at least once if the hardwood veneer is at least 1/8-inch thick.

Sanding the floors down to bare wood. This messy job uses progressively finer-grit sandpaper to produce a smooth surface. Look for companies that offer dustless sanding, meaning they hook up their sanding machines to vacuums that remove most — but not all — of the dust. You’ll still need to seal off doorways to keep dust out of the rest of your house.

Applying filler to cracks and holes.

Staining the floor. You can leave your floor natural, but if you want a certain color or tone, you’ll have to stain the floor. Staining usually requires several applications, plus sanding between coats.

Finishing coating the floor. Two or three separate coats are applied, with thorough drying time between coats. You’ll have a choice of:

  • Water-based finishes are eco-friendly and have low odors and VOCs. They generally aren’t as tough as other finishes.
  • Polyurethane finishes are the industry standard. They’re recommended for high-traffic floors and for kitchens. (Longer dry time)
  • An acid-cured finish is a two-part process that leaves an exceptionally tough coating. It has fast drying times, which may make it possible to apply two coats in a single day. However, some brands produce volatile odors that require you to turn off pilot lights, avoid using light switches, and leave your house until the finish is completely dry.

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Wood Floor Sanding and Refinishing Cost, Orange County, ca

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Ornge County, CA average costs for sanding and refinishing hard wood floors,

Engineered Wood Flooring – as low as  $1:00 per Sq Ft

 

At Pacific Wood Refinishing of Orange County, CA we are literally “Half” 1/2 ($1.75 per Sq Ft)  the cost of other companies!

Call for free estimate!!

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Pacific Tile & Grout Cleaning, Orange County, CA

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Ceramic tile is one of the most abused and overlooked floor and wall surfaces in the home or business and are notoriously difficult to clean.

What makes tile cleaning and grout cleaning so difficult?

Dirt and contaminants build up over time, get trapped in the pores of tile and grout making your tiles look dull and causing grout to darken and appear discolored which can be especially difficult to remove.

Standard cleaning methods such as regular mopping, general tile cleaners and general grout cleaning methods simply can’t get it cleaned, especially if you’re trying to eliminate those stubborn stains, embedded bacteria, and germs that have settled on tile surfaces or deep into grout lines.

Pacific we’ll come to the rescue! Our tile and grout certified specialists in Orange County, CA, will get your tile areas sparkling like new again.

Our certified technicians  will have the job done right and in no time – and we work with your schedule so we will not disrupt your routine. Our cleaning results speak for themselves.

Pacific’s powerful truck-mounted Tile Cleaning and Grout Cleaning process will keep your tile surfaces, grout lines and countertops clean and fresh; whether your tile is in your kitchen, bathroom, or some other area of your home or office.

Our Tile Cleaning and Grout Cleaning process uses only eco-friendly products that are safe for your family and your pets. This cleaning process uses heat and vacuum power to remove the dirt that regular cleaning can’t.

If your tile is made of natural material such as granite, marble, slate, travertine or Saltillo – that is no problem for Pacific, We also offer automatic scheduled cleaning – so call today to schedule! Your tile and grout will look very much like it did the day it was installed.

After cleaning, if your tile grout requires sealing, our certified technicians can apply penetrating Grout Sealer to protect it against mildew and staining. If you have colored grout, a penetrating Grout Color Sealer can be applied.

At Pacific, we are dedicated to helping you keep your home or business healthy, clean, and always looking its best. The solution to difficult ceramic tile and grout cleaning is just a phone call away.

Trust Pacific. for all those difficult and unpopular projects. You will really be glad you did.

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Affordable Wood Floor Refinishing, Orange County, CA

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Hardwood floors, a mainstay in new construction and home remodels, can be stunning when kept up. Due to traffic, staining and simply age, the finish on wood floors can wear down, causing discoloration, fading and an unpleasant appearance. Hardwood floor refinishing is labor intensive and therefore rather costly. Despite this, there are ways to save money depending on your skill level and the extent of the needed work.

Always Seek Recommendations

Hiring anyone to do anything can be stressful. This is especially true with home improvement projects. While cost is a huge factor for most people, be aware that going with the cheapest person won’t save you money in the end if he does a bad job. Therefore, ask around for recommendations before you go out looking for a good deal. This can make it easier to narrow your list of possible contractors and give you more time to find the best price.

Look for Coupons or Local Deals

Home improvement contractors and floor refinishers often offer coupons or deals to new customers. Check local company websites for any specials they might offer, and look in the back of your phone book or on the Internet for service coupons. Your local paper may also have information on hardwood floor refinishing deals, saving you a significant amount of money. With the flood of websites dedicated to daily deals, it is easier than ever to find a good price for hardwood floor refinishing. Check these sites several times a week for new offers in your area, or request notification from each website when they post new home improvement or services coupons. If you wait a bit and look for deals, you might save upwards of 40 percent on the project.

Screen Instead of Refinish

Most experts recommend against novices attempting a traditional refinishing on their own. However, you can update your floors and recoat them by simply screening them. This process removes the top layer of polyurethane and much of the discoloration of the wood. To do this yourself, you can rent a floor polisher and purchase 60, 80, 100, and 120 grit sanding discs for the machine. Working from 60 to 120, use the buffer to screen the entire floor, and vacuum the room thoroughly to remove dust. Then, put on one to three coats of polyurethane, letting each one dry before applying the next. This alternative to a traditional refinishing can save you significant money if you do it yourself. However, professional floor refinishers also charge much less for this job than for stripping the wood and refinishing it from scratch. If you don’t know if your floors are a candidate for screening, seek an estimate from a local contractor. In general, if there is no wax on the floor and the top finish is polyurethane rather than a non-penetrating topcoat, screening may be the ideal solution.

Do Some (Or All) of the Work Yourself

Unless you have experience, don’t try to refinish your floors beyond basic screening. The risk of damaging the wood is too great. There are several other ways to make hiring a professional cheaper. In most cases, the cost of hardwood floor refinishing is high because of the labor involved. By removing furniture from the room yourself, prepping the area by covering vents, and cleaning up after the sanding, you might knock a couple hundred dollars off your bill. If capable of doing the job yourself, you can get everything you need from your local hardware store, including rental equipment, stains, and protective finishes. Before starting this type of project, research it thoroughly. Having a plan of action before beginning can save you money later on costly repairs or changes.

 

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Refinishing Hardwood Floors, Orange County, CA

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When a thorough cleaning no longer restores the shine, it may be time to think about refinishing your hardwood floor. Other signs that you may need to refinish include: deep scratches that cut through to the floor’s protective coating, stubborn stains, warping or areas where the protective coating is worn away, exposing wood fibers.

A tongue-and-groove solid hardwood floor that is 3/4″ thick can undergo refinishing about 10 times during its useful life. Engineered hardwood flooring, with its multi-ply construction, can also be refinished, but not as many times. The frequency of refinishing hardwood floors depends on the daily wear and tear on the floor, as well as the hardness rating of the species. Also keep in mind that prefinished floors won’t need to refinished as often as hardwood floors that were originally finished on site.

Refinishing hardwood floors is a dirty and time-consuming process, which typically takes at least three days. While you can do the work yourself, consider hiring a professional refinisher. But whether you do it yourself or hire someone else, first contact your local flooring retailer for more information about refinishing.

Methods of refinishing hardwood floorsTraditional refinishing – This method of refinishing hardwood floors involves, first, drum sanding your floor to remove surface coatings, deep scratches and stains, and to level uneven areas. When done correctly, sanding will restore the species’ grain – one of the main features of a hardwood floor. An industrial grade vacuum is then used to collect dust and particles from the sanding process. After the floor has been smoothed and thoroughly vacuumed, a polyurethane sealer is applied or, depending on your preference, a stain and sealer.

You can choose either an oil-based sealer or a water-based sealer. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. It’s best to talk to your refinisher or local retailer before choosing.

The entire process of refinishing hardwood floors by traditional methods takes place over a series of days to allow for curing and drying times. It may take up to a week before you can walk on the refinished floor.

Sandless refinishing – Sandless, or dustless, refinishing is a relatively new alternative to the traditional method. This process involves scuffing the floor lightly with a sanding machine, then applying an etching chemical to the surface. After that, any minor damage to the hardwood floor is repaired before a new top coat is applied.

There are pros and cons to this method. Sandless refinishing takes about a day and is less expensive. On the other hand, no method is 100% dustless, and you’ll still find a small amount of dust settling in your home. Refinishing hardwood floors by this method is not recommended for very damaged floors.

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Granite Cleaning & Polishing, Orange County, CA

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Granite Cleaning, Polishing, Repair and Restoration Serving Orange County, CA

Our experience with granite can resolve virtually any problem you may have. We can…

  • Repair Cracks and Chips in Granite Countertops
  • Restore Dull Granite Floors and Surfaces
  • Remove Most Stains
  • Seal and Protect

Granite Restoration Requires Specialized Skills

While granite is much harder than marble if and when granite needs restoration you need to call a professional that has the specialized knowledge to work on your granite. Many stone restoration contractors won’t touch it. Stone Makeover is qualified to restore your granite. Whether it needs to be diamond honed, re-polished, or cleaned and sealed, our professional technicians can perform these services for you.

The key to keeping your granite looking new is the proper cleaning, polishing and sealing of the stone. We make it a point to educate our customers on proper stone care.

Caring for Your Granite

Granite is different than marble when it comes to its recommended usage and its care and maintenance. The first thing you need to know is that granite is a much harder stone than marble, and granite usually does not etch. (However we are now starting to see some of the granites that are used today can etch from acidic items being spilled on the surface.)

Granite can be cleaned using the same process as marble. As for granite we recommend cleaning the surface using a quality stone safe neutral stone cleaner. Visit our Caring For It page to download our Stone and Tile Care Guide and to see recommended products. If your stone becomes scratched or etched, Stone Makeover serves the entire North Jersey / New York area and can restore, polish and seal your granite counter-tops, vanities or floors back to their just purchased condition.

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Stone Floor Polishing Restoration Service, Orange County, CA

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Restoration of stone is the restoring of worn stone to the state in which it was installed. It may also entail the altering of the stones surface to match a desired finish of the installation’s owner or management. In some cases an owner may desire a polished surface to be honed or visa versa.

Restoration is a process that can only be done by a professional stone restoration company. A maintenance or janitorial company will not have the proper tools or experience to restore natural stone. This is not said to be critical to these types of companies. The investment of knowledge, equipment and experience needed to understand and work with stone properly is greater than what your average janitorial company can afford to pay for qualified technicians to stay with the company.A qualified stone restoration technician will on the other hand, be too busy to do routine maintenance work which pays much less then they can make working with stone. It is like asking a Ferrari mechanic to fix bicycles for the same wages. Looking at it from reverse, would a bicycle shop owner pay to keep a Ferrari mechanic on duty until a customer with a Ferrari came in? Only a Ferrari dealer (or specialist) is going to be able to warrant keeping a technician with the specialized knowledge, tools and equipment on payroll as customers will be more regular and make the investment worthwhile.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

Restoration of polished marble or natural stone involves the removal of scratches and/or damage from the surface of the stone by means of mechanical abrasion. This is also known as diamond grinding.Natural stone reflects light and does not need a topical coating or wax to achieve this desired finish. It only needs a series of diamond grits used in the proper order by a master technician who is experienced in their use. This followed by a careful polishing technique that can only be learned from experience.Restoration of a honed finish involves using a series of diamond abrasives up until the desired finish is achieved.A flamed finish can be restored using the same technique used in the processing of the tile or slab. This is a controlled burning of the stone so that the crystals “pop” creating the unique finish.As you can see, the restoration of each separate stone surface will involve several different methods and techniques.A restoration professional will also take care to protect the surrounding surfaces from damage. The diamond grinding technique involves large amounts of water and this could be damaging to wood and carpet if measures were not properly taken to ensure the water’s use was kept to a minimum and protection against splatter used. The flaming technique obviously entails using a large open flame tool. One would want to ensure that flammable materials were not around and that ventilation was adequate.

HOW IS THE JOB CHARGED?

Stone restoration jobs are usually charge by the job. Square footage pricing is not practical. Each type of stone will present its own unique challenges as will the consumer’s desired result for each surface. Many aspects need to be taken into consideration, such as where in the building the stone to be restored is located, water and electricity supplies available, etc. Regardless of the cost, it is always less than the price of replacement and most times you will have an installation that looks as good as, if not better than new.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Each type of stone and the desired finish for each as well as the size of the job will set the pace for the length of time needed to complete a project. If you are looking to restore over 300 sq ft of any stone, chances are you are looking at more than one day realistically. More can be done in one day, but not with the proper set-up and protection of other surfaces.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

You can expect to have your stone looking like new again and will be given the proper maintenance instructions for long term care. Scratches, etch marks and wear can be removed. Also advice on how to avoid any future need for restoration for a considerable length of time.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO SCHEDULE SERVICE AND HOW SOON CAN I EXPECT SERVICE?

In most circumstances your scheduled service date will be within 3-5 days. Often, however, the greater the need, the sooner technicians can be scheduled.

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TRUCK MOUNT CARPET CLEANING, Orange County, CA

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We are asked all the time, which is better, dry cleaning carpets or hot water extraction cleaning of carpets?The answer to this question depends on the type of carpet fiber being cleaned and the level of carpet restoration needed to return to a clean healthy carpet.Truck mounted hot water extraction is a restorative carpet cleaning process. Encapsulating dry foam carpet cleaning is a maintenance carpet cleaning system. These two cleaning method used together are the most cost effective way to always have clean carpets.When a carpet looks dirty it is very dirty.

Millions of dollars have been spent on research to create carpet fibers that hide dirt as long as possible. Carpets should be cleaned not because they look dirty but because regular cleaning of your carpet is like changing the oil in your car. It removes the abrasive that wear the fibers causing the carpet to dull out.Residential carpets that are visibly soiled or stained should be cleaned with the truck mounted hot water extraction method. This is a restorative carpet cleaning method and is the most thorough and costly type of cleaning.Encapsulating dry foam carpet cleaning is a maintenance cleaning process that is faster and thus less expensive then hot water extraction cleaning. Most commercial carpets respond better to the encapsulating dry foam carpet cleaning process then to the truck mounted hot water extraction cleaning.It is possible to never have dirty carpets again. With the right maintenance your carpets can stay clean all the time cost effectively.The first step is to get the carpets as clean as possible and then protected with a very good protector like Scotch Guard or Dupont Teflon.

The Floor Cleaning Experts full restoration carpet cleaning is a 12 step process following the standards set by the IICRC. Pre-Inspection, pre-vacuum, furniture moving, pre-condition&spot treatments, Pre-grooming, truck mount extraction, neutralize, post spot treatments, Teflon carpet protector, speed dry, post groom, and post inspection. We offer this complete service for one price with no additional charges. This will get the carpet as clean as it can get.Once the carpet has been restored to a clean and healthy state it can be kept there by servicing your vacuum and using it regularly. Vacuuming regularly with a clean strong vacuum is the best way to keep damaging abrasive dirt from building up in your carpets.Encapsulating dry foam carpet cleaning is a great way to keep your carpets clean after they have been restored. Dry foam cleaning is very efficient and effective when combined with regular vacuuming with a well serviced strong vacuum cleaner.The encapsulating detergent absorb the dirt and detergent residue and then drys to a hard brittle crystal when it drys. This crystal shatters under traffic and vacuuming and the dirt and detergent residue are removed with the vacuum. Dry foam cleaning is fast and less then half the price of hot water extraction cleaning but is a maintenance cleaning process so it needs to be done regularly with the frequency depending on the carpets traffic. This is the system we use at Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Orange County, CA.

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Polishing Travertine Floors, Should I or Shouldn’t I, Orange County, CA

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Shinny or Dull?  That is the question…Elegant or Distressed, finished or unfinished

First, What is Travertine?

Travertine is a type of natural stone that is first formed when minerals are deposited in the ground waters. They are then transferred to the surface to form travertine. These rocks are huge in size when they are discovered on river banks and quarries. In order to process them into travertine tiles, the huge pieces of rocks are cut into smaller blocks and then shaped into tile slabs for various uses.

Travertine tiles have a long history in Europe, with the Romans first discovered they are excellent tiles for flooring. They can be used for outdoor patios and backyards, as well as for indoor flooring, wall and back splash tiling.

There are four different types of finishing for travertine tiles. They are polished, matte, brushed and tumbled. Polish travertine tiles have a smooth, glossy and sleek surface. Matt tiles are half polished tiles, with just enough polish to make the tiles level and smooth. The brushed and tumbled tiles have a textured appearance.

Properties of Travertine Flooring Tiles: The Pros and Cons

Pros

Different colors. Travertine are available in many different colors and tones.  Their earth tone shades are the more popular colors used for flooring. They range from the lighter beige, cream to grays, and coral colors. In addition, their natural tones are a good match for other natural stones such as marble and limestone. And since travertine tiles are formed naturally, their tones and shades make it easier to replace one or two specific tiles into your existing flooring tiles.

Unique. Differences in their finishes make them flexible and unique flooring tiles. They can fit into a elegant living room with a layer of polished finishing, or they can be used to add a touch of ruggedness with their tumbled texture. While travertine is formed naturally, every slab of travertine tile has its unique color, tone, and shade. This is why they are much more special than the other types of tiles.

Easy to cut. Compared to other tiles, travertine tiles are easier to cut and contour. Hence, they are great for  fitting into the weird or odd shape spaces in your floor tiles.

Cheap. Travertine can be found in many different places and is more abundant than marble and granite. Hence, you will be paying a cheaper price for these natural stones.

Retain heat. Their stone nature make them good heat retainers than wooden or linoleum floors.

Environmental friendly. Since travertine is formed naturally, they do not create any harmful byproducts to the environment. They only go through the cutting and shaping process to become travertine tiles.

Cons

Porous. Unpolished travertine is extremely porous, which makes them highly prone to stains. They also trap dirt and foreign particles, which make the cleaning process a chore. Travertine is also very reactive to acidic substances, and orange juice can cause permanent stains when they are spilled onto the travertine tiles.

Must apply sealant. Sealant helps to protect the travertine tiles with a top layer of seal. However, this protection is only enough to reduce stains and your best bet is to wipe any spillages clean as soon as you can.

Not children and pet friendly. Polished travertine is very slippery when wet and is not an excellent choice for your kids safety. On the other hand, like I mentioned earlier, unpolished travertine is porous, and is going to spell trouble when you discover your pet’s poo on your precious flooring.

Durability. This is a debatable issue as they can also be an advantage as they are a fairly strong and tough. However, I am comparing them to other natural stones, and they are not as hard as other stones which make them more susceptible to scratches, chipping and chemical burns.

 

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Upholstery Cleaning Services in Orange County, CA

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At Pacific Carpet Cleaning, Inc. we clean more than just your carpets. Our complete lineup of professional upholstery cleaning services will enhance the beauty of your décor and complement your carpet cleaning. Upholstery cleaning is the perfect way to put the finishing touches on your space, giving it renewed sparkle.

Upholstered Furniture Cleaning We Service

Our professional upholstery cleaning experts will bring back the original beauty of the following types of upholstered furniture:

  • Sofas
  • Loveseats
  • Recliners
  • Armchairs
  • Ottomans
  • And more

Our upholstery-cleaning specialists are experts at cleaning all upholstery fabric types.

Our Upholstery Cleaning Process

At Pacific Carpet Cleaning of Orange County, ca, we use a specialized, two-step cleaning process to make your upholstery look like new:

Step 1: Deep Cleaning

We use a specially formulated deep-cleaning and sanitizing solution that breaks down minor stains while loosening dirt, grime, and other embedded substances that make your upholstery look dull and dingy.

Step 2: pH-Balancing Rinse

Our special pH-balanced fiber rinse protects the integrity of your upholstery while carrying away the loosened dirt, grime, and cleaning solution residue and neutralizing odors, leaving your furniture looking and smelling clean and fresh.

Our Deep Vacuuming Service

If your upholstered furniture doesn’t need a full cleaning yet but could use a thorough vacuuming to remove the long-term buildup of dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other particulate matter that can lead to allergy flare-ups, call our specialists. Our deep vacuuming service will help your family breathe easier while giving your furniture a new lease on life, letting you wait that much longer before scheduling a full cleaning.

Our Specialty Upholstery Cleaning Servicesand Treatments

Our special treatments and cleaning services include the following:

  • Steam/Dry Cleaning
  • Stain and Spot Removal
  • Sanitizing
  • Disinfecting
  • Deodorizing
  • Scotchgard 3M Treatment
  • Pet Odor Treatment
  • Mildew Removal

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