Check out the Floor Care Blog of Bode Floors

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | November 16th, 2020

General Flooring

Heated flooring, already quite popular in Asia and Europe, has been gaining popularity in the U.S. This unique system operates quietly and helps promote better indoor air quality since it doesn’t involve ductwork and vents while remaining out of sight. Before deciding if it’s right for your home, see the advantages and disadvantages of installing heated floors.

Ideal for Cold Climates

Having heated floor panels across your home gives you uniform heat, even during those frosty Maryland winters. Unlike normal HVAC systems that kick on once your house hits a certain temperature, heated floors provide subtle heat that lasts all day without the annoyance of temperature changes or a loud system.

Efficient Heating

Because heat rises, having heated floors may be the most efficient way to keep your house warm during cold months. Plus, since the heat is coming from the floor, you’re not losing warm air to ceilings or corners. On average, heated floors can help you save about 15% on your heating bill. If you’re considering installing heated floors, porcelain, stone, and ceramic are the best tiles to retain heat and help keep costs done.

Large Upfront Cost

After purchasing the floor, you’ll still have to hire an electrician to connect the floor system to a power supply, which will be costly. If you want to install heated floors in an already built home, consider electric-based floors over water-based floors. Water-based floor systems usually cost about three times more than electric systems and are often installed in new construction or renovation projects.

Raised Floor Height

Heated flooring systems can raise your floor height by one inch with the combined floor system and insulation boards installed underneath the floors. This may sound insignificant, but this height difference can cause a potential trip hazard, as well as call for modifying your doors to fit the new floor height.

Whether you decide to install a heated floor system or not, you can count on Bode Floors for beautiful flooring options. We offer an array of styles, including hardwood floor, carpet, vinyl, and more to customers throughout the Baltimore metro area. Bode Floors sell directly to the public from our showroom, so schedule an appointment at our showroom today!

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | October 7th, 2020

Carpet

There’s nothing worse than coming home after a long day to a carpet that smells. Whether it’s from a pet or spilled food, numerous sources can cause lingering odors. Learn more about a few techniques you can use to remove smells from your carpet.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most widely used remedies for smells that are trapped in a variety of carpet fibers. Use pure baking soda as a spot treatment by sprinkling a generous amount on the area with the worst odors. Rub the baking soda into the carpet and let it sit for a few hours or overnight if the smell is especially strong. Baking soda should absorb the odors and any excess liquids from the carpet. Vacuum the area to remove the baking soda and repeat as necessary.

Essential Oils

Some essential oils act as natural and environmentally friendly antimicrobials that can be used alone or with other cleaning solutions to help with spot treatments. Mix some oil with baking soda and warm water to form a natural cleaning paste. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t smell like a cleaning product, lemon is a great essential oil for covering up strong odors with a natural scent.

Vinegar-Based Solutions

For pet-related odors, consider making a cleaning solution with vinegar. Spraying vinegar mixed with warm water on pet stains should neutralize the odors in just a few hours. If you have a carpet steamer, vacuum the solution up to remove the smells more thoroughly.

If you’ve tried several cleaning methods but the smells won’t go away, it might be time to consider a carpet replacement. At Bode Floors, our showroom has a wide selection of carpets and other flooring options. We’re a locally owned business that has decades of experience serving people in the Baltimore metro area. You can trust our experts to help you find high-quality flooring that will last for years. To schedule an appointment with our team, call 410-381-5900 or contact us online.

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | September 9th, 2020

General Flooring

People assume that water damage to flooring results from either a downpour, flooding, or burst pipes. This thought ignores the fact that other factors can also contribute to severe damage if left unnoticed. Examples include roof ice damming, toilet overflow, appliance malfunction, and more.

Effects of Water on Wooden Floors

The above scenarios increase humidity and moisture in the floor’s materials, which can introduce various issues. With a hardwood floor, the problem may worsen since the water can be absorbed by the wood, making it less noticeable. In this case, exacerbated damage may involve costly renovations. As prevention is cheaper than a repair, learning about water damage warning signs will help prevent future floor damage issues. By following a proper floor care guide, you can rest assured that your floor will always be beautiful.

Soft Floor Boards

This condition indicates that the floor is rotten, and air drying won’t help. With soft boards,the damage is usually extensive and requires replacement. This damage shows that the water has reached the subfloor level and that there’s a possibility it’ll spread.

Swelling or Cupping of Planks

When wood absorbs excess water, it may start to swell or warp and cup downwards or upwards. With swelling, the water causes uneven surfaces as edges rise due to pressure from enlarged planks. Cupping also gives the floor a rough finish. Unless repairs are made, there is a possibility of water seeping into the subfloor level.

Mold on the Floor

In most cases, when water seeps into the wood, mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors may be noticeable. Unless you schedule a timely mold mediation service, spores can spread and affect your respiratory health.

If you’ve noticed water damage to your flooring, Bode Floors is ready and willing to help. With over 40 years in the flooring industry, we can help you find replacement flooring with top manufacturers’ products. Schedule an appointment or get a free quote by calling us at 410-381-5900.

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | August 19th, 2020

General Flooring

Moving is a hectic process. With so many other things to worry about, people often forget to make sure that they’re protecting their floors. Here are a few tips for keeping your floors looking their best after you move in.

Cover Your Floors

Before you move your furniture in or out of your home or apartment, you should cover the floors to guard against dents, scrapes, and scratches. Hardwood floors are particularly vulnerable to damage from moving furniture. You can use several different products, such as shock-absorbing protective mats, to protect your flooring. Other alternatives include rolling out a couple of rugs to cover the path from the door to where you want to place a piece of furniture.
Never Drag Your Furniture

Even after taking precautionary measures, try to avoid dragging heavy furniture across your floor. Regardless of the type of flooring, this can cause unsightly scratches and other issues. Try to carry your furniture by having a few people help you. Accidents are bound to happen, so you can wrap the bottom of large items in cloth or padding in case you drop them. You can also use furniture sliders when moving heavy items, such as couches and large dressers.

Take Precautions During Bad Weather

If you’re moving while it’s raining or snowing, try to make sure that you don’t track any salt, dirt, or water on your floors. Take extra precautions by keeping a heavy-duty mat at the main entrance and placing covers on your flooring.

Plan Out Where to Put Items

Taking measurements and figuring out where you want to place furniture beforehand will speed up the moving process and help avoid damage. If you move a bookshelf from one room to another while trying to find the perfect spot for it, you’re more likely to scratch or damage your floor. By knowing where you want to put large items, you’ll save time and effort.

At Bode Floors, our floor care guide can help you keep your floors looking their best, before and after a move. Also, if you’d like to try out new flooring for your home, we carry a wide range of high-quality options from the best brands in the industry. Our staff can help you select the right flooring material for your home and perform a professional installation. To schedule an appointment at our showroom in Columbia, MD, call 410-381-5900 or contact us online.

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | August 4th, 2020

General Flooring

Silencing squeaky floors is usually about finding the source of the squeaks. Squeaking sounds coming from floors are normally the result of wooden floorboards rubbing against the plywood subfloor or the nails holding the flooring in place. If you want to attempt your own home remedy that may stop your floor from squeaking, try out these tips.

Fill Gaps With Shims

If you’re able to pinpoint the location of a squeak, find the gap in the flooring (no matter how small) where reinforcement is needed. Spread carpenter’s glue onto a wooden shim and insert it into the gap. When positioning the shim do not use a hammer; you may risk pushing it in too far, which can raise the subfloor and cause bumps.

Repair From Below

You can access the subfloor from your basement or crawlspace to make repairs. Ask another person to walk across the floor as you listen for squeaks below to help pinpoint the problem area. After you hear a squeak, ask the person above to lightly knock on the floor to help you identify the exact spot that needs to be addressed. From there, you can use shims, construction adhesive, or two-by-fours to reinforce the flooring with extra support.

Lubricate Floorboards

Squeaking sounds can be maddening, especially if you’re settling down to enjoy a book after a long day. If you can’t achieve peace and quiet by repairing the floorboards from underneath, use a dry lubricant to silence the problem area. If you have limited access to the space below your flooring, sprinkling talcum powder, powdered graphite, or lock lubricant will help reduce the friction and silence the smaller squeaks. Place a cloth over the powdered area and walk over it several times to help the powder settle into the cracks in your floors. Wipe away the excess powder with a damp cloth.

If it’s time to completely replace your floor, Bode Floors is ready to help. We’ve helped Columbia, MD homeowners revamp their home with new flooring since 1975, and we’d be happy to help you choose the best option that complements your interior decor. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to view our showroom.