Tile & Natural Stone Care and Maintenance

To keep your tile floors looking new and damage-free, follow these care guidelines:

Cleaning Instructions:

• Wait at least 72 hours after installation before damp mopping your tile floor to allow grout to dry.
• Sweep then wipe down tile floors with a damp mop once a week.  Heavy traffic areas will need to be cleaned more often.
• Use surface cleaners that have a neutral pH level.  Never use an acidic or chemical cleaner.
• Occasionally clean the grout to remove residue build up.
• Spills should be immediately blotted to avoid damage to the stone.
• Do not use detergent or soap, as it dulls the tile’s surface and leaves behind streaks.
• Do not use abrasive cleaning materials to clean your floors, such as steel wool or buffing machines.

Other Important Guidelines:

• Use mats and rugs to collect dirt, grit, and other substances that can be tracked onto your floors.
• Use floor protectors or felt pads on your furniture to prevent scratches and indentations.
• Do not walk on newly installed tile for 72 hours.
• Allow grout to cure for at least 72 hours before applying a sealer.
• At a minimum, reseal stone and grout once a year.  When your stone absorbs moisture and changes color, then it is time to reseal.

Hardwood Floor Care and Maintenance

To keep your hardwood floors looking new and damage-free, follow these care guidelines:

Cleaning Instructions:

• As soon as spills occur, use a damp cloth to blot dry.  Do not allow liquids to stand on your floor for any period of time.
• Sweep or dust your hardwood floors regularly and occasionally wipe with a damp cloth.
• Do not use abrasive cleaning materials to clean your floors, such as steel wool or buffing machines.
• Do not wet-mop or wash your hardwood floors, as this could cause warping and void the warranty.
• Do not use wax, polish, oil-based products, or abrasive cleaners.

Other Important Guidelines:

• Use mats and rugs throughout your hardwood areas to collect dirt, grit, and other substances that can be tracked onto your floors.
• Use floor protectors on your furniture to prevent scratches and indentations.
• Maintain a relative level of humidity throughout the year to minimize the expansion and contraction of your hardwood floors.
• Keep your pet’s nails trimmed.
• Avoid wearing pointed or sharp shoes, such as heals, on your hardwood floors.
• Occasionally rearrange your area rugs and furniture to allow your floor to age evenly.
• Never slide or roll heavy objects across your hardwood floors.

Acclimation of Your New Hardwood Floor

Natural solid wood is a porous material and will pick up ambient moisture from its surroundings.  When you receive your floor it is necessary to acclimate it to its new environment. This ensures that your floor will remain as stable as possible, minimizing natural expansion and contraction after installation. Upon receipt of your floor immediately do the following:

• Prepare the area: During acclimation make sure that the acclimation area is at the exact humidity and temperature that the floor will eventually be installed in. Be sure to avoid exposing your acclimating floor to any drying paint, concrete or drywall, areas that are not climate controlled (either too hot or cold) and any other factors that would atypically add or subtract moisture or heat from the area.
• Unwrap: Remove the shrink-wrap from your pallet and un-stack the flooring.

New website: directsourcefloors.com

directsourcefloors.com

DirectSource International is pleased to announce that it has launched a newly designed website. directsourcefloors.com now offers a larger online catalog of products and a design gallery featuring our products from recently completed projects. Additionally, the website provides a more comprehensive source of company information and product specifications.

Information on product selection and care guidelines will be posted in the near future.

 We invite you to visit and bookmark the new directsourcefloors.com today.