Cold air blasts   –    Special event & holiday entertaining    –   Dry & static environment

Pets & children indoors   –   Material brought in from outdoors

To help keep your flooring beautiful – there are several solutions for proper winter floor care!

Floor Mats – Catching and keeping the outdoors from coming indoors is one of the best ways to avoid damage.  It is important to keep these mats as clean and dry as you possibly can.  Place a mat just outside the door and one inside so that you minimize the amount brought inside and then the additional moisture and excess grit is captured by the second mat inside.  Remember to clean and change out the mats frequently.

Prep Your Pets – Pets are highly skilled at tracking in the most mess possible and leaving it on both your flooring and your furniture.  Keep a towel at the door for wiping messy paws.  Not only will this help keep your flooring clean but your pets will be happier without all the grit stuck to their paws!

Wipe It Up – Keeping cleaning items handy for wiping up moisture and for picking up the dry, sandy residue left after the moisture has dried on your floors.  If left, this can scratch and harm your wood floors and will also embed itself in carpet.

Stop Build-Up – Vacuum and clean your flooring more often to help lift the dirt and keep your floors from getting a build-up of residue.  Have your carpets professionally cleaned by a reputable company using hot water extraction.  Be sure to keep your receipts for warranty purposes.

Clean With Caution – Use cleaning products specifically designed for YOUR flooring to help remove those stains that you might not catch after a party or family get-together!   Consult with a flooring professional or your manufacturer’s care guide before purchasing products.

As always, preventive care is the best way to help make sure your floors stay beautiful longer.  Proper winter floor care will insure your investment in your carpet lasts for years to come.

“Go Green” With Your Flooring

It used to be that making the decision to “go green” while remodeling meant huge costs and settling for something simple, basic and not very attractive.  That is absolutely NOT the case anymore!  There are many GREEN flooring options that are beautiful, environmentally friendly and cost efficient:

Hardwood – hardwoods can still be considered a green wood  flooring option if the manufacturer uses environ-responsible methods.  This involves their commitment to minimal waste and tree replanting when the wood is harvested.  Hardwoods are always in style and an elegant flooring choice.  Don’t rule out hardwoods when making your decision – just make sure to ask about green handling and processing.

Laminates – laminates are synthetic creations made from wood waste material and, as flooring options, are not only beautiful but are extremely durable.  Laminate flooring is a great choice for a busy lifestyle – easy to install and very low maintenance.

Tile – tile is an easy fit for the green flooring choice and comes in a variety of different compositions:  ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and vinyl.  A beautiful addition to any home, tile is a natural allergy inhibitor and has a long life.  It is easy to clean and the design options available are amazing.  For those creative souls, tile is a way to express your unique streak.

Cork – cork is a bark that, when removed, helps the tree to replenish itself for future harvestings.  Selecting cork for flooring is not only a natural option but one that brings beauty to your home.  It provides a cushioned feel and sound absorption in “noisy” entertaining areas.

Bamboo – bamboo is a fast-growing plant that quickly and readily replenishes when cut and has become a top choice for individuals wanting a beautiful natural wood floor that is eco-friendly.  It is a very durable material and an excellent choice for contemporary homes.

Carpet – there are recycled-content and all natural fibers that make carpet a great choice for “going green”.  While carpet isn’t normally thought of first, natural wool is one of the best eco-thoughtful materials you could choose since it is easily replenished and harvested.

Make sure to talk with your Flooring Specialist to find out what flooring materials work best for your lifestyle and are truly a “green” addition to your home or office.

Consider daily household activities and the decisions on flooring and fixtures that will make it easier for seniors to be mobile and safe:

Inspect existing carpet on the stairs for wear or loosening.  New carpet on the stairs will enable your seniors to better get up and down stairs without fear of slipping.  Most people stop using the stairs way too soon because of existing issues with their flooring.  Upgrading flooring on stairs allows seniors to continue to enjoy those rooms upstairs.

Hardwood floors are excellent choices for seniors using a walker or mobility device to get around.  Make sure they are not too slick though when caring or maintaining the finish.

Luxury vinyl flooring provides for gripping if your senior uses a walker and is softer than tile or hardwoods in case of a fall – a great concern for both you and your senior.

Bathrooms can be upgraded with new tile, removal of glass shower doors or creation of a walk-in shower space, and the addition of grab-handles and safety rails to lessen the danger of falling.

Choose flooring that can be easily cleaned for the kitchen – tile or vinyl for quick mopping without a lot of bending or scrubbing.

Look for a floor with texture especially for your bathrooms and kitchen.  Slick tiles can be dangerous for seniors using canes and walkers.  Textured tiles have a non-slip grip meant to protect you from falls.

Taking time to create a safe environment for your seniors will mean more time spent with family, not in the emergency room.

Many of us look forward to summer as a time to relax, go on vacation and recharge our personal batteries. Surprisingly, it is also a great time to do the same for your hardwood floors. Hardwood is one of the most beautiful additions that you can make to your home and with a little “TLC” during the summer, your floors will look beautiful for years to come. Here are some summer pointers for your hardwood floors.

Give Your Area Rugs A Cleaning: Area rugs used over a hardwood floor should be removed periodically to allow the wood underneath to breathe. Many rug cleaning companies will pick up your rugs, clean them, store them temporarily, then return them to your home. This is an excellent thing to do when you are going out of town. It gives your hardwood floors a chance for a well-needed “vacation”.

Give Your Wood A “Spa” Treatment: Examine the high traffic areas of your hardwood floors. Are they beginning to look dull or cloudy? It may be time to consider a recoating of urethane. Recoating will restore the original luster to your hardwood floor. It is a relatively inexpensive process, but it requires all of the furniture to be removed and foot traffic must be avoided during this process. Summer vacation time is an excellent opportunity to recoat your floors. Contact your flooring company to discuss the process.

Keep It Cool!: Many people think that it will be a practical, cost-saving idea to shut off their air conditioning system when they are gone during the summer…Wrong! An un-air-conditioned home can cause an excessive build-up of heat and moisture that can warp and buckle a hardwood floor. This may result in a costly repair or replacement to your wood. Instead, set your thermostat at 80° to allow a comfortable environment for your hardwood floors.

Hydrate Your Foundation: If your hardwood floor is installed over a concrete slab, it is very important to keep the foundation watered to minimize movement during the summer draught months. Soaker hoses or sprinklers around your foundation should be used on a regular basis to avoid contraction that can damage your hardwood installation. Ten minute, daily watering during the evening hours is much more beneficial and keeps the moisture level more constant. Here’s a tip: if your plants look thirsty, your foundation is too!

For more advice on how to maintain your hardwood floors, please contact the professionals at Dobson’s
Flooring America at 972-270-8741 or www.dobsonfloors.com.

Loyal Employees Make the Difference

Some people don’t have any idea of what type of flooring they want, nor do they know what is best suited for their lifestyle. These people could really use the one-on-one advice of a trained expert from a flooring specialty company like Dobson’s. Our flooring experts install floor with no hassle and stay with you through the whole process. This is a great video of the employees at Dobson’s Flooring America go beyond the normal level of service. An employee owned company really makes the difference, the commitment to service is different!

Summer Decorating

The weather is getting warmer and even though spring has only been in the air for a few weeks, thoughts are already turning to those hot summer days that are ahead.  Backyard barbecues, breezes blowing through open windows, and activities on the patio or deck mean preparation work now.  It is time to start thinking of those things we need to do to get ready for the fun of summer.

Inside

• After the major spring cleaning, thoughts turn to lighter, fresher looks for the summer months.  One suggestion is to move furniture around for a more open look.  Be sure to protect hardwood floors from scratches and carpets from dentations by placing pads under the legs of heavy furniture.  Clean tile floors and carpets during warm days so that you can open windows to speed drying. (www.dobsonfloors.com).
• Use fresh cut flowers for summer decorations, choosing them from your own garden or asking neighbors for them.  Fresh flowers bring clean, fresh scents to the home and seem to cheer up the room.  Other ideas for summer decorations are jars filled with seashells, potted plants and bright colored fabrics and throw pillows.

Window and Door Screens

• Get all window and door screens out of storage.  Check all screens for tears or damage and replace any screens that have problems.  Wash with soap and water and rinse with a garden hose.  Wash all windows to maximize sunlight and replace heavy window treatments with lighter, airier curtains and blinds.

Ventilation

• Check to be sure attic fans are working and open crawlspace vents.  Change HVAC filters and clean indoor vents as well.  Check to be sure the air conditioning unit is working before the thermometer gets too high and be sure to turn off the furnace.

Outdoors

• Sweep and wash decks and patios using a long handled deck brush dipped in all-purpose cleaner and water.  If your deck is large, a power washer might be a good investment and many home supply stores rent them for a small fee.  Replace splintered and warped boards as well as wobbly nails that may have come loose.  Replace all summer decorations that have faded or no longer operate properly, such as citronella torches and candles.

• Get out all patio furniture and cushions and check for any damage.  Replace any furniture with cracks or tears.  Clean deck furniture with a garden hose and mild soap and replace any cushions that show mold or other stains.

• Fill the propane tank for your barbecue grill or replace charcoal.  Scrub grill with hot soapy water.

• Check to be sure lawn equipment is working properly and schedule preventive maintenance if necessary.  Remove rocks, twigs and dog waste from the yard as children will be playing outside more often.  Check automatic watering systems to be sure they are operating properly.

With a few simple steps, summer decorating and preventive maintenance can be done quickly.  This will allow you to enjoy the summer festivities and enjoy the tranquility of your home throughout those hot summer months.  For more summer decorating ideas, visit www.dobsonfloors.com.

This program is attractive to anyone looking to improve their flooring in order to achieve a higher selling price on their home.  Updated flooring can greatly increase the apparent value of a home, allowing it to stand out from all others for sale in the area.  This program allows home-sellers to retain a portion of their investment and to help offset costs when considering flooring for the home that they intend to purchase.

Homeowners need to understand the importance of quality residential flooring in creating a unique design in their home.  The flooring should be beautiful, yet practical.  A professional flooring consultant can help you to understand what kinds of materials are best to use in which places of the home and what will be affordable for your circumstances.  The choices range from ceramic tiles, slate, and hardwood flooring to laminate, vinyl, and carpet.  All of these options are included in the Move or Improve Assurance.

By choosing the appropriate floor and keeping up with maintenance, homeowners will spend much less on repairs and replacement.  Prevention is better than costly repair when it comes to residential flooring.  Proper floor upkeep will also make the process of preparing your home to go up for sale a much easier endeavor.  Replacing floors can be one of the most costly preparations homeowners make when moving.  This cost can be avoided if the floor is properly maintained over the years and replaced when any damage becomes too extensive.

For more details about the Move or Improve Assurance that can save you up to 50% on your next purchase, and discounts for years to come, visit the Dobson Floors or Flooring Americawebsites.

Easter Decorating Ideas

Easter brings to mind thoughts of bunnies, chicks and brightly colored eggs surrounded by bright colors and fresh flowers.  Baskets abound as the Easter Bunny makes his rounds, bringing chocolate and jelly beans to children (and adults) everywhere.  This is the perfect time to bring the outdoors inside to wash away those winter doldrums.  Easter decoration ideas don’t have to be elaborate or difficult.  There are some very simple ways to celebrate the season.

Bright Colors

One simple way to decorate for Easter is to change the hand towels in your kitchen and bath.  By simply replacing your regular hand towels with bright, springtime pastels, the room will take on a festive air.  Use colorful, patterned pillows on a neutral sofa or chair to bring the feel of spring inside, and toss lighter fabrics over the backs of furniture, or as table covers.  By choosing sheer fabrics and linens with an open weave, your rooms will take on a light, airy feeling.

Table Decorations

Switching from ceramic vases to crystal or glass is a very simple way to lighten the feel of a room.  One idea is to use a tall glass vase with fresh Easter flowers, such as tulips, forsythia and lilies, placing it on the floor in an unused corner of a room.  A great idea for large rooms or entryways with hardwood floors (www.dobsonfloors.com ), the shine of the floor will reflect the colors in the flowers and seem as if the flowers are everywhere.

Use plastic Easter eggs in baskets filled with faux grass sold at craft stores, or hang the eggs on a potted tree for an easy Easter decorating idea.  Many craft stores sell very inexpensive decorative bird nests that can be placed on a table or shelf and filled with mini Easter eggs.

Easter Dinner Table

Use brightly colored tablecloths, table runners or placemats.  Place a bowl or brightly colored vase in the center of the table with flowers matching the colors in the table linens, and tie it all together with a bright, coordinating ribbon.  Another simple and elegant centerpiece idea is to place pillar candles in glass, silver or gold candleholders, then arrange fresh greenery, flowers or flower petals around the base.

Fresh Flowers

Spring and Easter always bring thoughts of fresh flowers, so use them to your advantage when decorating for Easter.  Place a clear bud vase with one cut tulip and some fresh greenery in your guest bathroom for an elegant touch.  Use flowers blooming in your garden as a very inexpensive Easter decorating idea.  Don’t just use typical vases, however, as decorative tins and boxes can make interesting flower arrangements.  If you don’t have access to fresh flowers, group several small potted plants in a basket surrounded by artificial grass as an interesting table top display.

Easter decorating does not have to be expensive or complicated.  Using bright colors, baskets and inexpensive plastic eggs are easy ways to celebrate the season and bring a touch of spring into your home.  For more home decorating ideas, visit dobsonfloors blog.

Managing Household Chores

Between working, soccer practice, ballet, parent-teacher conferences and after-work client meetings, it is no wonder that household chores get pushed aside.  The result is many of us spend our weekends cleaning and doing other dreaded chores when we would rather be taking the kids to the park or sitting on the beach reading a book.  One way to avoid the weekend cleaning spree is to develop a home chore list and enlist the help of the entire family to get household duties finished during the week, allowing for more family time on the weekends.

Creating the List

The first thing to do is to sit down with a piece of paper and pen, or at the computer, and make a list of what chores need to be done.  List them by frequency, whether they are daily, weekly, monthly or yearly chores.  Try to include as many household duties as you can think of.  Examples of daily chores are dishes, feeding pets, doing laundry, preparing meals, and homework.  Weekly chores could include washing bedding, dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, paying bills, cleaning bathrooms, washing the car, and cutting grass.  Washing windows, bathing pets, cleaning the refrigerator and cleaning blinds or curtains could be monthly chores, while shampooing carpets, cleaning the garage and pruning shrubbery would be yearly jobs.

Family Meeting

Once the list is compiled, call a family meeting to discuss who will be responsible for which chores.  Make it clear that everyone will be assigned jobs, but that you will try to let them choose the jobs they would prefer.  Including the family members will make it more likely they will complete the jobs assigned as they are not forced into doing household chores they hate.

Small Children

If you have small children, they can be assigned jobs too.  If necessary, break down larger chores, such as dishes, into smaller ones that even pre-school aged children can do.  Toddlers can be responsible for picking up their own toys, and pre-school and elementary aged students can dust, clear the table of dirty dishes, and feed family pets.  As the children get older, increase their responsibilities based on their age and ability.

Post the List

Once all jobs have been assigned to a family member, write or type it clearly on a piece of paper and post it in a conspicuous spot in your home.  The best place is on the refrigerator, but you could post it in a utility room, office or family room.  Family members will be able to see the list and know what they are expected to do daily and weekly.

Setting up a home chore list can reduce stress and help to keep a home organized by distributing the duties among all family members, rather than just falling to one or two.  For more tips on household organization and decorating, visit www.dobsonfloors.com.