Posts

How Avoiding Common Mistakes?

/in /by

Start with less toxic cleaners. In general, the least toxic cleaner is best for cement. Start with a mild cleanser, like detergent, and work your way up to chemical cleaners if necessary. Chemicals can wear cement down, so they should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Do not pour water into acid.


When using an acid-based cleaner, never pour add the acid to a bucket first and then the water. You should add the water followed by the acid. Doing so the other way around can cause a dangerous reaction. Use a deck brush over a push broom. Many people use push brooms to target cement floors.


However, push brushes are actually less effective than deck brushes. The bristles are too long to effectively remove dirt and debris from cement. If you don’t have a deck brush, buy one at a hardware store. Apply 1 / 2 in (1.3 cm) of mortar to stone finishes. When you’re ready to begin the installation, use a trowel and other tools to coat each panel.


Start with the panel you intend on positioning on the lower left corner of the wall. Spread mortar around from top to bottom and left to right into a flat, smooth layer. Do this for each panel as you install it. Dampening the stones with a spray of water from a hose can help the mortar stick to them. If you need to cut the stone panels to fit on the wall, use a circular saw with a diamond-tipped masonry blade.


Install the stones from the bottom of the wall to the top. Work from the base of the wall, starting in one of the corners. Push the stone panel firmly onto the wall until mortar begins squeezing out from underneath it. Move onto the panels that fit next to and above it, leaving a 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) gap between each one. Keep this gap uniform throughout the entire wall.

How to Remove Floor Tile?

/in /by

Whether you’re doing a complete renovation or just need to replace a single tile, removing floor tiles is a relatively easy task to do yourself. If you have a smaller project, you can take out your tiles by hand. For larger projects, consider renting an electric chisel hammer to finish the job quickly. Once you remove all of your ceramic and its adhesive, you’ll have a clear and clean surface to start fresh!

Removing tile from your floor can be done with a few tools and dedicated time. By positioning a chisel under a tile, you’ll be able to loosen each one and remove the floor. Taking your time with this project will ensure you finish with a beautiful, tile-free floor. Don’t forget to wear leather gloves, a dust mask, protective glasses, and clothing that covers your arms and legs to prevent injuries.

Remove the grout around the floor tile with a grout saw. Grout saws resemble utility knives and are used to remove grout surrounding tiles. Hold your grout saw firmly in your dominant hand and work around the tile you want to remove. Use long strokes as you apply firm pressure to cut into the grout so the tile comes up easier. Grout saws can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store.

Hit the tile with a hammer to loosen it. Set the hammerhead directly in the center of the tile. Lift the hammer up and bring it back down in the middle of the tile with a firm amount of pressure. This helps loosen the tile more and break apart some of the adhesive on the bottom. For larger tiles, use a 3–5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg) sledgehammer.

How Using Heavy-Duty Stain Removal Methods?

/in /by

Mop the floor with vinegar. Mix 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) white distilled vinegar or a specialized cleaning vinegar with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water. Fill your mop bucket with this solution and mop the floor with it. If you don’t have vinegar, you can substitute rubbing alcohol.

 Scour the stain. If mopping has not adequately cleaned your ceramic tile, mix warm water with an equal amount of scouring powder. Scouring powder is a cleaning agent designed to help you clean hard surfaces like ceramic tile. Smear the mixture onto the stain using a dishcloth. Let the mixture sit on the stain for five to 10 minutes. Remove the dishcloth and use a soft brush to scrub the tile. Finally, rinse the area with a damp dishcloth. Repeat the process if the stain remains after one scouring session.

Use steam cleaning. If the ceramic tile you wish to clean is on your floor, you could use a steam cleaner to remove serious stains. A steam cleaner works much like a vacuum cleaner does. Simply fill the water tank and turn the machine on. Roll the steam cleaner over the portion of ceramic tile you wish to clean. You can rent steam cleaners from many hardware or home repair stores.

Use diluted muriatic acid. Muriatic acid is a corrosive mineral acid. Mix the muriatic acid in a solution with one part acid and five parts water. For instance, you might mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of acid with 5 tablespoons (74 ml) of water. Apply the solution to the ceramic tile you wish to clean. Scrub the area vigorously with a soft bristled brush or old toothbrush. Wet a paper towel and use it to wipe the area after scrubbing.

Dry the area with a dry paper towel or dishcloth. When using muriatic acid, wear a face mask and thick rubber gloves. Take care not to get it on your skin.