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How to Clean Cement Tiles?

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Cement tiles requires routine cleaning. Routine cleaning for mildly dirty cement tiles can be done with a mild degreaser or laundry detergent. Special chemical cleaners are required for very dirty or stained cement tiles. Make sure to wear protective gear when handling harsh cleaners. Try to avoid getting mortar on the stones. If you need to clean the stones, let the mortar dry, then remove it with a dry whisk brush.


Fill in the gaps with grout if you wish to insulate the wall. Mix the grout in a bucket with water according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Then, use a trowel to pack it into a grout bag. Hold the nozzle close to the joints between the stones and squeeze the bag to apply the grout. Fill each joint until it’s about level with the stones, then carefully smooth the grout out with a trowel as needed to complete your new wall cover.


Grout protects the stone veneer from moisture and anything that might grow inside the joints. Some people prefer the way the veneer looks without grout, but keep in mind that it may not last as long as a wall finished with grout. Mark the backs of molding pieces if there are several for that wall in the order they will be installed.


While you are fitting the molding, look for studs to nail it into and lightly mark them in the area just above where the molding will sit. The molding should sit right on top of the flooring. Nail the molding in place. Use finishing nails about 2”(5.1 cm) in length. Try to get nails into a stud. Place the nails about 18” (45.7 cm) apart or at each wall stud.


Use a pressure washer. If you don’t want to scrub or apply a cleaner, you can use a pressure washer to clean most dirt and debris off of your concrete. Keep in mind that the pressure is very high, so avoid aiming at any plants, which will be destroyed by the force of the water. Choose a pressure washer with a rating of at lease 3,000 psi and a flow rate of at least 4 gallons per minute (gpm).

Deciding on the Select Wood Flooring

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Consider staining the wood if you want it to be more eye-catching. This is a great choice if you’re not going for a natural look or you’re not content with the color of your preferred wood species. Wood stain comes in a wide range of shades. Depending on what shade you use, you can either pronounce the original wood color or create a completely new look.


In modern interiors, dark charcoal and similar shades are used to make wood floorings look striking. Choose oil-based finish if you want to cut down on expenses. This type of finish is among the most commonly used. Apart from being affordable, oil-based finish is quite durable as well. It gives an amber glow, no matter the color of the wood itself.


Opt for moisture-cured finish if you want a high level of moisture resistance. Apart from being more resistant to moisture than any other type, this finish is highly durable in general. It comes in a variety of shades, so you can easily adjust it to the wood species of your choice. The shades range from completely clear to amber.


Go with natural oil finish if you want an extra durable top coat. Unlike most other types of finishes, which stay on the surface, natural oil finish penetrates into the wood. By doing that, it creates a protective interior layer. That’s also why it’s among the most durable finishes out there. In general, oil finishes are easily scratched. However, those scratches are a lot less noticeable than the scratches you make on other types of finishes.


Choose sheen level. Unlike the type of finish, sheen only affects the appearance of wood. You can choose from matte, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes. While matte reflects the least light, gloss is the shiniest.

The Knowledge of Wax a Floor

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Use an auto scrubber or floor machine to work in the stripping solution (optional). For large jobs, an auto scrubber or rotary machine is recommended, as it will do a thorough job pulling up all the finish. If using an auto scrubber, scrub the area leaving the squeegee tool up (not in use).


If using a floor machine or burnishing machine, use the stripping pad attachment. Large jobs may require multiple stripping pads. Scrape wax from the edges and corners of the floor. You can use a doodle pad for this or a long handled razor blade tool such as a poll scraper. If you don’t want to buy a specialized tool, any sharp flat blade such as a putty knife will do the job.


Without stepping on the slippery floor stripping solution, use the blade to work the wax away from edges, where the stripping solution and mop have difficulty pulling off the finish. You may need to scrub the baseboard as well, if it has picked up wax residue. You can purchase a special baseboard stripping pad if you are using a floor machine.


Remove the stripping solution and finish with a wet vacuum or auto scrubber. Do this after the finish has been worked off but before the solution has dried. If you worked in the stripping solution with an auto scrubber, simply lower the squeegee attachment and pick it up again. Otherwise, you’ll need a wet vacuum to remove the solution. If a section begins to dry out, pour a little water from your clean water bucket to keep it wet.


Wash your floor using the clean mop and water bucket. Rinse several times to ensure all stripping solution is removed. You can add a stripping neutralizer to your water to ensure the next wax will adhere properly. If you don’t want to buy one, simply wash it thoroughly several times.

How to Tile a Shower?

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A tiled shower adds beauty and durability and value to your home, and you can tile your shower all by yourself. There are several things you need to do to properly prepare a leak-proof shower. If you are tiling a shower for the first time, consult with a general contractor before starting the job.


Use a hole saw with a carbide bit to cut the holes where the shower head and handles would come through. Make the cement board flush with the tile lip of your shower pan by using shims behind the board to bring it out to the desired thickness. Make sure to use composite shims. Use 100% silicone caulk to seal the seams between the panels and then apply the silicone behind the board on the stud. Add some seam tape between the panels as well.


Lay the drywall. If using crown molding near the ceiling, lay down 12 to 18 inches (30.5 to 45.7 cm) of drywall instead of cement board. Nails used to fix the crown molding in place will not travel through the cement backer; you’ll need to use moisture-resistant drywall such as greenboard in order to take the nails and affix the molding.


Feather any edges with seam tape and thin set mortar where the backer board meets the wallboard. If there’s a gap between the backer board and the wallboard, you’ll want to use seam tape and then feather the gap with thin set mortar so that it appears as one continuous back. Remember that the seams must remain tight with gaps 3/16″ or smaller.


Paint a water resistant primer over any areas you intend to tile. After you’ve feathered the edges to remove the gap, apply a high quality water resistant exterior primer over the feathered wallboard and backer.

How Cleaning Grout with Vinegar and Baking Soda?

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Mix 1  c (240 mL) of vinegar and 1  c (240 mL) of water in a spray bottle. Measure the vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Screw the lid on tightly and then shake the spray bottle vigorously for 5 seconds to combine the water and vinegar.

Malt vinegar and white vinegar both work well for this method. This method works on all types of tiles and surfaces, such as flooring, backsplashes, or countertops. Spray the solution liberally over the grout and let it sit for 5 minutes. Ensure that all the grout is coated with the water and vinegar spray. Leave it for 5 minutes to soak into the grout.

Mix 1 cup (180 g) of baking soda and ½ cup (125 mL) of water in a bowl. Measure the baking soda and water into a small bowl. Use a spoon to stir them together until they are fully combined and form a paste. If you are cleaning a very small area, halve this recipe.

Scrub the paste into the grout with a grout brush. A grout brush is a thin brush that is designed to easily remove the dirt from between tiles. Dip the brush into the baking soda paste and then scrub it over the tiles until all the dirt is gone. Use a scrubbing brush or a toothbrush if you don’t have a grout brush.

Spray the vinegar solution over the areas that you have scrubbed. The vinegar will mix with the baking soda paste and start bubbling vigorously. This chemical reaction helps to dissolve any remaining dirt and grime from the grout. Spray enough vinegar solution to completely cover the baking soda paste.

Use warm water and a dishcloth to wipe up the baking soda and vinegar. Dip a clean dishcloth in water and then squeeze it to remove any excess water. Wipe up all the baking soda and vinegar paste from the grout. Rinse your cloth after each wipe to avoid spreading the baking soda over the glazed rustic tiles. This also helps to remove the vinegar smell from the grout.

How to Mop Ceramic Tile?

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Ceramic tile floors are sturdy and relatively low-maintenance. With just a little attention to detail, you can keep your tile floor looking new. Find out how to easily and effectively mop your ceramic tile floor after the jump. Sweep or vacuum your tile floor to remove any loose dirt, pet hair or other debris. Dilute your household cleaner according to the directions using a bucket and warm water. Submerge your mop into the bucket of soapy water until it is saturated.

Wring the mop well to remove excess water. If the bucket you’re using has a wringer on it, this is the preferred method of extracting the excess water. Some mops, especially those with cloth strips, have a wringer attached and these work just as well. If you don’t have either of these, you can simply use your hands to wring the mop.

Mop the tile in small sections, being careful not to walk over the wet areas. The grout is very porous and tends to hold more dirt than the tiles. Pay close attention to the grout when mopping your tile floor to be sure you’re covering the grouted parts well.

Immerse the mop into the soapy water after mopping each section of tile. Remove the excess water again by wringing the mop. Repeat these steps until the entire floor is clean. Allow the floor to dry completely. Speed up the drying process by opening windows and/or turning on fans in the room, if possible.

Rinse both the mop and bucket thoroughly. Add clean water to the bucket. Dip the mop into the clean water. Squeeze any excess water from the mop. Mop the floor again, following the same steps, but using only the clean water this time. Mopping the floor with clean water removes any build-up that may be left behind by the cleaning solution. The floor stays cleaner longer and helps reduce slipping. Allow the floor to dry completely.