There are many types of tile currently available on the market. Some of these tiles have a lot to offer, like durability or natural looks. Still, tiles aren’t built to last forever. They can crack, get moldy, stain, chip or flake. For this reason, removing tile can be a tough process. Below is a list of tiles that are the most frequently removed during floor removal services.

Tiles Frequently Demolished by Floor Removal Services

Ceramic Tile – This tile is one of the most common types removed by our services. Ceramic tile is a non-metallic material consisting of clay, carbon, silica, and talc. These ingredients are mixed together, heated and left to harden to create tiles. Ceramic can be expensive or inexpensive, depending on whether the tile is glazed or not. If the tile is not glazed, then it would require routine maintenance to prevent staining.

Porcelain – Porcelain is a heavy tile made of a clay called kaolin and bone china. This material was first developed in China over two thousand years ago and was later spread to East Asia and Europe. This particular material is popular due to its durability and translucency. It’s easier to maintain than ceramic tile because it’s water and stain resistant. Porcelain can also be made to easily imitate the look of natural stone.

Travertine – Travertine is made from limestone. The material is also very durable and low maintenance. Homeowners never need to seal Travertine and it usually keeps its appearance for years. However, there are two main concerns with this type of tile. First, this material is very slippery, which can cause accidents if residents aren’t too careful. Second, this material can be expensive.

Slate – Slate tile is exceedingly durable and is used in homes with a lot of foot traffic. It’s beautiful, environmentally friendly and can increase the value of homes. No chemicals are ever used in the process of making these tiles. However, one of the main concerns with slate is that it requires frequent sealing and resealing. If sealing isn’t done properly, the material will sometimes flake off.

Saltillo – Saltillo is a form of terracotta tile, which often comes from Mexico. This tile is very inexpensive and easy to obtain. Saltillo is considered environmentally friendly due to the fact that it is made from heated red clay. However, Saltillo tile isn’t very durable and is often uneven because individual tiles are handmade. The material chips and cracks fairly often.

Linoleum – This material is the most durable and cost effective on this list. It was designed to resist impacts and cuts and is also very easy to install. The main disadvantage to linoleum is its susceptibility to mold. If the sealing begins to peel, then water can seep into the cracks, causing mold to spread. Linoleum is also prone to yellowing as it ages, meaning that the entire floor would need to be replaced every few years.

Natural Stone Tiles Demolished by Floor Removal Services

Marble – Marble is a very expensive type of tile. Of all the tiles on this list, marble is typically regarded as the most beautiful. This material offers a natural look that most stones don’t, including swirls and stripes of color. Marble is also very reflective, typically illuminating rooms with any light that touches it. The main disadvantage of marble is that it isn’t very durable. The material stains, cracks and scratches if not treated with extreme caution. Sadly, chemical cleaning substances can cause the stone to break down.

Granite – This stone is very similar to marble. Granite is a rock that forms under intense heat and is characterized as being very dense and durable. However, as time passes, granite is prone to be stained by the grout used to set the stone in place.

Limestone – Many people compare the look of limestone to that of wood due to the natural grooves that form on the rock. Limestone requires a large amount of work to maintain. However, if it is done properly the material will last for decades. Otherwise, it can crack, stain and chip. Interestingly, limestone is very popular because it is cold to the touch, so it is ideal for warmer climates. Still, limestone can become slippery when wet, so exercising caution while cleaning is wise.

Floor Removal Services at Dustbusters

At DustBusters, we provide quality service to efficiently remove all forms of tile, no matter their durability. Customers can trust our business to provide floor removal services that leave your home dust free. If you’re interested in a professional, less expensive, and higher quality floor tile removal, call Dustbusters today at 866-883-8783.

If your home has hardwood flooring, you may wonder whether you should refinish the wood flooring you already have or replace the flooring altogether. There are pros and cons to each method, and it all depends on your preference and the condition of your floors currently. Discover the pros and cons of both floor resurfacing and replacing to make the best decision for your home, family, and wallet.

Pros of Hardwood Floor Resurfacing

Cost: Replacing hardwood floors takes many steps; demolition, fitting, and installation. With simple floor resurfacing, only one charge is deducted because only one service is utilized. Additionally, replacing floors takes purchasing new wood flooring, which is undoubtedly the most costly route to redoing wood flooring. Floor resurfacing does not call for the use of any new products, saving you financial costs in the process.

Precision: If you are already pleased with the wood type, positioning, and styling of your wood floors, refinishing is the best way to keep them the same. A new installation and different wood types may need a redesign, giving your flooring a different look and feel. The best way to keep the flooring you have but get a fresh and bright new look are to go with a floor resurfacing company.

Cons of Hardwood Floor Resurfacing

Time: In most cases, floor resurfacing takes much more time than complete renewal. The process is one which takes time to sand, polish, and sit for up to five days in total. During the process, the floors cannot be touched at all, which may cause you and your family challenges throughout daily life.

Underlying Problems: If your floor is creaking, leaking, cracked, aged, rotten, or any other type of damage, simply refinishing them will not repair the underlying problems. With only a complete renovation can floorboards, which are what hold up the wood flooring, be examined and repaired/replaced. Keep in mind that hardwood floor resurfacing is only aesthetic; it is not problem-solving.

Mess: Floor resurfacing is not only a time-consuming process but a messy one. To resurface a floor, the wood must be sanded. This sanding creates piles of dust that are circulated into the air, picked up by your air conditioning system, and a safety hazard to you and your family. Additionally, since dust is so light, it takes time to settle. This means that you will be cleaning up dust around your home for days, weeks, or even months after the resurfacing project concludes.

Pros of Hardwood Floor Replacement

Eliminate Issues: Damaged floors simply should not be resurfaced because the underlying issues need addressing to prevent safety hazards. With a whole new wood floor, you won’t have to worry about the age, condition, or safety of your floors. Unless you simply need to get scratches or sun fading out of your hardwood flooring, a full replacement is the way to go.

New Configuration: A new hardwood floor means new materials, stains, and even positioning. This means that if you want your flooring to be placed horizontally instead of vertically as they were previously, it can be done with brand new flooring. Additionally, this gives you the chance to change the type of wood and coloring used throughout your home.

Cons of Hardwood Floor Replacement

Price: The cost of materials and labor is usually more with a complete overhaul. Although the price is a little bit more, you get what you pay for. Because resurfacing your floors is merely an aesthetic fix, you’re paying for a service even though you may have to completely replace your floors in a matter of a couple years due to wear and tear. So, although the price is a bit more to replace floors, you’re actually making an investment into your flooring so that it last longer and looks better.

Mess: Although installation of wood flooring is practically mess free if the cutting is done outdoors, the removal process may create some unwanted dust. Instead of cleaning for days or weeks after floor removal, invest in a floor removal service like the one provided by Dustbusters. We can remove your wood floors in as little as a few hours with our dust free system which allows your installation team to come in right behind us, saving you time cleaning and getting your floors completed. Want a quote for our services? Give us a call today at 866-883-8783 to speak with a floor removal specialist!

Now that spring cleaning has come and gone, you might be thinking about tackling a home improvement project or two. Whether it’s tossing some new throw pillows on the living room sofa or doing a complete overhaul of an old-fashioned guest bathroom, there are many ways to liven up your space. One aspect of home improvement that tends to be overlooked is floor renovation. Removing old flooring to make way for new tiles, polished hardwood or plush carpet is no doubt a tedious process, which is why you should always leave it to the professionals. In the end, both the upgraded look and safety of your home will be greatly improved. Here are Dust Buster’s top five reasons to replace old tile floors.

Tile Flooring Adds Personality to Any Space

A lot of time and thought goes into the design of a space. The color of the walls, the furniture style, and even the decorative pieces are all carefully considered before the end result. Tiles should be, too. A lot of the time, when old tile floors are disregarded in the renovation, the resulting space will look incomplete or slightly outdated. Tiles come in all shapes, sizes, and colors; they provide limitless options when it comes to upgrading floor design and can truly accentuate the space if handled with care. Additionally, tiles can fit any floor plan and make a gorgeous focal point in any living room, kitchen or bathroom.

The Grout Color Contributes to the Style

If your existing tile is in good condition and you only want to replace the grout, there are two routes you can take to improve the look of your flooring. The first is that you can use a grout color that matches the tiles when you have them removed and reinstalled. For example, if your tile is dark, pair it with a dark grout. This will give your flooring a sleeker, classier look. Alternatively, you can choose a contrasting or vibrant grout color to pair with the tile for a more fun design, adding pizzazz to your old tile floors.

Tile Shape Expands the Feel of the Room

Trying to make a cramped space appear larger can be frustrating, especially if your tiles are small and uniform. One easy way to make a modestly-sized room look and feel larger is with the right tile. Replacing your old tile floors with larger rectangular tiles will add depth and dimension to both the floor and space. Additionally, using light tile and grout will add to the illusion of spaciousness.

Updating Old Tile Floors Increases the Home’s Property Value

Just like any other home improvement project, having your old tile floors removed and replaced with stunning and up-to-date tile is a worthy investment that can contribute to the overall value of your home; especially if you plan to put your house on the market. The greatest benefit of tile flooring is its longevity. Once it’s set, it’ll last for many years, so it’s always best to make sure you or any prospective buyers absolutely love the flooring you choose.

Cracks in the Tiles Are Dangerous

Not all old tile floors are replaced because of their look; sometimes floors have to be replaced because they simply aren’t safe anymore. While it is true that the quality of floor tiles may fade with time, tile cracks can be a sign of a much larger issue. If the subfloor beneath is unstable, the cracks it makes in the floor tiles become an unsightly and unsafe tripping hazard. As a homeowner, your best option in this situation is to have contractors remove the old tile, fix any flooring problems and install new tiles. This will not only upgrade the look of the floor but the safety, too.

Call Us Today!

Removing old tile floors to make way for something new can be stressful and time-consuming, but sometimes it is necessary for both the look and the safety of your home. The next time you decide to give your flooring an upgrade, you can count on the experts at Dust Busters for a stress-free and dust-free tile floor removal. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 866-883-8783.