How to Lighten Tile and Grout

After so many years, tile and grout tend to take on a darker, dirtier color. It seems like no matter how much you clean and mop, the discoloration only worsens as more time passes. Perhaps you are not using the best practices for cleaning tile and grout. Continue reading to learn how to effectively lighten and brighten tile and grout using the proper cleaning methods and solutions.

Tile and Grout Restoration 317-454-3612
Tile and Grout Restoration 317-454-3612

Proper tile and grout cleaning doesn’t just improve the color of your flooring, it also improves quality, which in turn, improves performance and longevity. So you can see how vital floor care is to your overall investment. One of the most important things you can do to restore and maintain your tile flooring is to use the appropriate methods and techniques. This is true for all flooring materials.

You always want to make sure that you are implementing the proper methods and using the proper supplies and solutions; otherwise, you can risk damaging your floors even more, which may leave you in need of professional tile and grout renovation or replacement.

Grout Cleaning Tips

It is easier to maintain the color and shine of tile than grout.  Over time, dirt will collect in the grooves of your tile flooring, making your floors appear old and worn. In other areas of the property, such as bathrooms and basements, mold can also begin to accumulate.  Dirt and mold are a bad combination for any type of flooring, especially when in the grout.  Getting rid of these issues can be tricky, which is why it is vital to practice the best methods for tile and grout cleaning if you want to achieve the best possible results.

Powder Oxygen Bleach

The most common and effective cleaning agent used to clean tile and grout is powder oxygen bleach.  AJAX® and Clorox ® are examples of popular powder oxygen bleach brands. This product is non-toxic and will not cause heavy fumes, health implications, or color fading. Although not toxic, it is still advised to use extreme caution when dealing with any type of bleach products.  Powdered oxygenated bleach removes grease and food stains relatively easy. It is a great solution to restoring dark, dirty grout lines with little effort. 

Simply mix the powdered bleach with warm water and disperse in onto the grout and floor. Allow this solution to soak for at least fifteen minutes before using a thick bristled brush to scrub it clean. Continue to pour the solution and repeat these steps until the mixture is gone and you have scrubbed every square inch of the floor and grout.  Allow the floor to dry for five to eight hours to see the finished results.

Tile Cleaning Tips

During the process of grout cleaning, floor tiles also get a minimal cleansing. This cleansing, however, is usually not sufficient enough. To clean the tiles, use the same solution for the grout, and use a mop to apply and clean the tiles. Then just rinse it away with clean water!  This is an easier strategy to clean tile flooring without using heavy floor cleaning machines.

Non-Toxic Tile and Grout Cleaners

If you are interested in a non-toxic cleaner for tile and grout, consider making your own solution using vinegar or baking soda.  If you are worried about vinegar being too harsh, just match its quantity with an equal amount of water; then the potential for acid damage is greatly reduced.  Alternatively, when using a baking soda mix, be sure to use a small amount of water to create a paste, and then vigorously apply the paste to the grout with a heavy-bristled brush.  Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, and then rinse the residue away with clean water.

Special Tip: For an even deeper clean, you can rent a steam cleaner to loosen the dirt and debris from your grout and tile.  Afterwards, proceed with your choice of cleaning method and product to finish the job!

Indianapolis Tile Floor Installation

Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612
Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612

Restoration By L&B, LLC offers superior tile floor installation and replacement for both residential and commercial properties in Indianapolis and its surrounding towns. Whether you are a home or building owner, our qualified and insured general contractors can provide a wide-range of tile flooring services; including replacements, removal, repairs, installations, and more. You name it, we can do it! Best of all, we offer the most competitive pricing around! Contact us at 317-454-3612 to request an estimate, today.

How to Care for Stamped Concrete

You’ve mostly likely seen stamped concrete before, whether at the mall, your favorite restaurant, or your friend’s new home.  It is so versatile, easily and affordably mimicking higher end materials like brick, stone, hardwood, and even marble! Stamped concrete is a very popular choice for flooring, patios, and driveways because it is visually appealing, functional, cost-effective, long-lasting, and low maintenance.

That’s right! Low maintenance! But just because stamped concrete is “low maintenance” doesn’t mean it doesn’t require any care at all! In fact, it is vital that you provide a certain degree of care for your stamped concrete floors and foundations in order for them to remain strong and stunning for years to come.

Continue reading to learn how to properly maintain stamped concrete flooring and surfaces.

Stamped Concrete Contractor 317-454-3612
Indianapolis Stamped Concrete Contractor 317-454-3612

Stamped Concrete Maintenance

Stamped concrete can be imprinted, impressed, engraved, and colored to resemble an infinite array of designs, textures, and styles. This is just one reason why this type of flooring is considered such an important asset to a home or property. In order to maintain quality and performance, you simply need to make the time.

Start with daily dirt removal. Use a leaf blower, broom, or vacuum to remove dirt, debris, and other solid particles from your floors. You should also rinse with clean water on a weekly basis to reduce grime and residue accumulation.

Also be sure to stay on top of stain removal. If your flooring or foundation has scuff marks, stains, or oil spots, it is important to remove them as soon as possible. Never allow stains, dirt, or debris to sit for long periods of time on stamped concrete.

It is important to have stamped concrete seal coated to provide an extra layer of protection against dirt and damage. Routine seal coating also protects against freeze-thaw cycles, expansion, buckling, moisture, and de-icing chemicals.

It is also important to hire a professional Indianapolis stamped concrete contractor for stamped concrete installation and sealcoating services. They have the experience, equipment, knowledge, and resources to provide accurate and safe service you can trust. Just be sure to choose a company that is licensed and experienced, and can offer estimates and advice anytime.

Indianapolis Concrete Stamping and Staining

Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612
Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional concrete stamping and staining in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Our highly trained, qualified and insured general contractors provide services for complete project management and development, planning, design and build coordination, pre-construction services, and more.  And as a trusted source for concrete installation, we guarantee to beat any competitor’s price! Contact us at 317-454-3612 to request a written estimate, today.

Trendy Interior Doors to Consider for Your Home Remodel

Planning a home renovation or remodel? Set yourself apart from other properties by adding in some fresh, unique, and space-saving door designs inside the home! Continue reading to learn some popular interior doors styles that are topping the residential market trends this year, as well as, who to call for expert home remodeling and general contracting services near you.

Home Remodeling and Handyman Services 317-454-3612
i.e. French Accordion Doors

Although you can opt for the traditional, 4 to 6 panel door design in your home, there are several other options that may be better choices, not to mention more stylish! These new interior door options can eliminate the standard monotony found in last season property styles.

Here are 5 top-recommended door designs to consider for your upcoming home renovation:

Pocket Doors

Pocket doors are doors that hide inside the wall of the door frame, and then slide open and closed. They stem from the vintage design, which was often seen in older homes due to their much smaller quarters back then. That is because pocket doors happen to be excellent space-savers, especially for small areas and rooms. And with newer, more innovative designs, they are now stylish too! From tiny bathrooms and tight hallways, to regular room-to-room entry ways, pocket doors are the perfect solution for style and space.

Dutch Doors

Dutch doors are fun, stylish, and best of all, useful. They appear as a standard full-sized door, but really, they are cut in half and designed to open at the top. You can choose to open just the top portion of the door, or you can open the door as a whole. These are highly recommended for interior-exterior entry ways, mud rooms, laundry rooms, and children’s rooms.

Barn Doors

Barn doors, also known as “farm” doors, are seen more and more these days, and for good reasons. Not only are they very chic and trendy, they are quite functional. They save space, much like pocket doors, but because they rest on the outside of the wall, they can also jazz up the interior of any room, even becoming a focal point! Furthermore, barn doors are easy to install, and most door way systems can fit them.

Sliding Doors

When you combine a pocket door with a barn door, you get a sliding door system. Think of your patio sliding doors; sliding doors can now be stylishly incorporated inside the home. A popular place to consider adding sliding doors is the master bathroom. You can add a trendy focal point with mahogany or glass sliding doors that separate the master bedroom from the on-suite bathroom. Sliding doors are also great for finished basements, home gyms, and sun rooms.

Bifold/Accordion Doors

Glass bifold doors and French accordion doors are similar door systems, and both very trendy options for home remodels. Glass bifold doors are designed as two vertical panels that fold into one another when you close them shut. In today’s market, these old-fashioned door systems have been updated to look stylish and serve as space savers for small areas and rooms. French accordion doors are very similar to bifold systems, but they have more panels and attach to both sides of a door frame. They are great options for master bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as, great room dividers.

Indianapolis Home Remodeling You Can Trust

Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612
Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional home remodeling in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are licensed general contractors who offer a wide range of residential and commercial remodeling services, including interior and exterior painting, drywall replacement, space conversions, additions, handy repairs, and more. And we guarantee to BEAT any competitor’s price!

Vital Forklift Safety Tips

Whether in a big box store or a construction zone, forklifts are common machines used to lift heavy items, palettes, materials, and more. But without proper training, knowledge, and discipline, operating a forklift can be very dangerous, to both the operator and surrounding peers.

Since there are various vocations and job positions that require forklift knowledge and operation, it is a standard certification sought out within the workforce. If you work with forklifts regularly, or have a staff under your supervision who does, it is vital to ensure that the proper, industry-standard forklift operation safety practices are upheld at all times to prevent serious accidents and injuries.

Continue reading to review the top safety tips you should know and practice when operating a forklift; then share this knowledge with your fellow teams.

Indianapolis Building Contractors 317-454-3612
Indianapolis Building Contractors 317-454-3612

✨ Forklift Safety Training

The most fundamental safety tip for operating a forklift is to have the proper training and certification. Anyone who has not undergone official forklift safety training should not be permitted to operate a forklift under any circumstances. Whether gas, electric, 3-wheeled, or rough-terrain, forklifts are serious machinery and they require acute knowledge on operation and safety. We recommend to visit Forkliftlicenseguide.com for details on earning your forklift certification in Indiana.

✨ Forklift Inspections

Forklifts, like all pieces of powered machinery, require regular inspections and routine maintenance in order to ensure they are in good condition. Aside from regular inspections, forklift operators should make it a habit to always perform a brief assessment of the machine before each use. Check the brakes, steering, lights, signals, tires, and more, to determine if the forklift is ready or not.

✨ Forklift Operation

When operating a forklift, there are several safety rules to adhere to. Some of the most important are the ones that are often overlooked. For instance, always be sure to maintain a safe speed when driving a forklift. Although they seem slow, it is easy to lose control in a small space. Additionally, it is important to wear the proper gear and clothing when operating a forklift, including eye goggles, work boots, hard hats, reflective vests, and more.

✨ Forklift Load

If a load is not fully-secured or stable, it can cause a wide range of serious accidents and injuries. Can you imagine if a palate of timber fell on top of someone? So it is vital to ensure that all cargo is secured and balanced on the forklift before operating it further. Check on the weight distribution and levelness to avoid topping, falls, spills, and more.

Indianapolis Building Repairs and Remodeling

Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612
Residential and Commercial Remodeling 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for affordable building repairs in Central Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our Indianapolis general contractors provide a wide range of services for both commercial and residential properties, from general handyman services and home remodels, to full-on renovations, additions, conversions, and more. Request an estimate, today!