Hardwood Floor Cleaning

Titanium, Platnium, and Gold SelectAFloor™ floors carry The Beautiful Guarantee®. If at any time after installation and during the period of The Beautiful Guarantee® you wish to change your new hardwood for a different SelectAFloor™ style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it free with another SelectAFloor™ hardwood style or color of equal or lesser value. Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™ hardwood upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price. No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced hardwood is selected.

This is a one-time replacement. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the time frame of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™ hardwood under The Beautiful Guarantee®. This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes materials and labor (removal of old floor, disposal, and re-installation). Labor to move furniture, permanent construction (built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases), equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacement will be made with respect to hardwood that has been subjected to abuse, improper maintenance, vandalism, alteration; or damage caused by smoke, fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser of a Carpet One Floor & Home® style hardwood floor that has been professionally installed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer.

NOTE: Custom installation of any hardwood floor intalled with patterns, medallions, or a border are excluded from The Beautiful Guarantee®. No replacement of either the wood floor, patterned wood floor, medallions, or the border are covered under this replacement warranty.

It’s easy to maintain the beauty of your new floor, and proper care and cleaning will enhance its life and performance, giving you years of enjoyment. To assist you we’ve prepared our best tips for cleaning, care, and maintenance. Plus, we’ve compiled detailed warranty information for each flooring category that you will find easy to reference.

Please consult your specific warranty to detailed cleaning instructions. Some manufacturers have precise warranty maintenance requirements. See warranty details for additional information.

Q. How do I care for my new hardwood floor?
A. Caring for hardwood floors is easy. Frequent sweeping or vacuuming (with soft attachments) to remove loose dirt and soil is generally all that is required.

Q. What can I do to minimize scratches and indentation on my new hardwood floor?
A. The finish on hardwood floors provides greater resistance to everyday household scratches. Remember to use floor protectors under the feet of your furniture. If you have casters on furniture, make sure they are barrel-type wheels (a minimum of 1” continuous width is recommended).

When moving furniture, use extra caution. Never drag furniture to a new location, always lift. Also, be aware that certain shoe types like stiletto heels can damage hardwood because of the pressure exerted through them. And finally, if you have pets, remember to keep their nails trimmed.

Q. What changes will I see over the years in my hardwood floor?
A. Wood is a natural product and will react to changes in its environment. The cure is to minimize humidity changes. Hardwood flooring will expand and contract during seasonal and temperature changes. All hardwood flooring products may experience slight separation between boards. In an effort to lend stability to your floor, a constant humidity and controlled temperature range is required and will vary throughout climates. Direct sunlight can affect color, so it’s a good idea to move area rugs and furniture periodically to allow for even color changes. Natural exposure to sunlight will bring about changes in shading of any hardwood floor as it ages. Some exotic species will darken while others will tend to lighten over time when exposed to natural and artificial light sources. Remember, hardwood is a natural product and develops a warm, beautifully aged patina other the years when given proper care.

Q. Since hardwood is a natural product, what are some of the characteristics I should be aware of?
A. Hardwood may have naturally occurring blemishes such as mineral streaks, small knots, grain variations, etc. No two pieces of wood are the same and color or other variations can occur

Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor.

Never clean or mop your hardwood floor with water or steam. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap, or paste wax products; or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia as this may damage your flood and result in a loss of warranty. Carpet One Floor & Home® recommends Resista® Hardwood Floor Cleaner for the routine maintenance of your hardwood floor. Follow the cleaner’s recommendations provided on the cleaning container.

Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATER BAR HEAD UNLESS THE BEATER BAR IS SWITCHED OFF.

Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and Resista® Floor Cleaner or other cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture, or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances.

Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring. Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1” continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for protecting your hardwood floor.

A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during period of high humidity in the summer months. Relative humidity in the area of use must be kept within a normal range. Wood flooring will perform best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within a relative humidty range of 30-50 percent and a temperature range of 60 degrees to 8- degrees Fahrenheit. (In some climates, the ideal humidity range might be higher or lower 25-45 percent or 45-65 percent, for example).* Use of a hygrometer (humidty guage) is highly recommended.

Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.

Remove shoes with spikes or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to hardwood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.

As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease, and oil off your hardwood floor.

*Compliments of the national Wood Flooring Association. Copyright 2007. Revised April 2008.

All of our Silver and Bronze SelectAFloor™ floors carry a No Questions Asked Replacement Warranty. If after installation and during the period* of your replacement warranty you wish to change your new hardwood for a different SelectAFloor™ hardwood style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it with a different SelectAFloor™ style or color of equal or lesser value. Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™ hardwood upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price. No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced product is selected.

This is a one-time only replacement. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the time frame of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™ floor using the No Questions Asked Replacement Warranty. This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes materials only and does not include take-up or re-installation charges. Labor to move furniture, permanent construction (built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases), equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacements will be made with respect to hardwood that has been subject to abuse, improper maintenance, vandalism, alteration, or damage caused by smoke, fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event.

NOTE: Custom installations of any hardwood floor installed with patterns, medallions, or a border are excluded from the No Questions Asked Replacement Warranty. No replacement of either the wood floor, patterned wood floor, medallions, or border are covered under this replacement warranty.
*The period specified by the warranty level of the product purchased.

When used under normal residential traffic conditions* with proper care and maintenance, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer warrants to the original buyer, that the finish of your hardwood floor will not wear-through during the period specified by the warranty level of the product purchased when properly installed according to the manufacturer’s installation instruction procedures. Wear-through is defined as complete loss of the wear layer. The wear layer is defined as the protective coating that is factory applied to the surface of the wood flooring. Gloss reduction is not considered wear and is not covered by this warranty.

Should you feel that your wood floor is not wearing properly, contact your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer. If the finish of your wood floors wears through during the warranty period, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will repair or replace the affected area. This Limited Wear Warranty applies only to the original purchaser and installation site and is not transferable.

This Limited Wear Warranty excludes damage caused by lack of proper maintenance; misuse, abrasives, insufficient protection from furniture, wet mopping, scratches; or indentations caused by spiked-heel shoes, pet nails; and any casualty event.

Normal exposure to sunlight will bring about changes in shading of any hardwood floor as the floor ages. Area rugs should be moved occasionally because they block sunlight and may give the appearance of discoloring under the rug. This is not considered to be a product defect and is not covered by this warranty.

NOTE: For CORK products, floor covering installed on stairs is excluded from the Limited Wear Warranty.
*Normal residential traffic conditions mean those daily activities commonly associated with residential use.

Any charges for carpet disposal, new padding, or moving furniture, equipment, etc., are the customer’s responsibility. This Limited Wear Warranty does not apply to carpet installed on stairs and in high moisture areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, boats, etc. This limited warranty covers only abrasive wear resulting in loss of fiber. Wear of damage from tears, pulls, cuts, pilling, shedding, matting, crushing, shading or pile reversal, burns, pets, improper cleaning, improper installation, or defective construction is specifically excluded.

The Usage Fee will be determined as a percentage of the original purchase price, as follows:

0-20 YEAR PRO-RATED SCHEDULE**

1st-5th Year No Usage 8th Year 70% Usage

6th Years 50% Usage 9th Year 80% Usage

7th Year 60% Usage 10th-20th Year 90% Usage

Any Carpet One Floor & Home® carpet that has a Wear Warranty and is professionally installed as a Healthier Living installation will qualify for the Double Wear Warranty***. This warranty applies to Carpet One Floor & Home® styles and approved manufacturers only. Replacements carpet is on a pro-rated schedule which is outlined below. For those carpets without a Carpet One Floor & Home® warranty but is that of an approved manufacturer****, the manufacturer’s Wear Warranty and pro-rated schedule will apply.

*Area rugs are excluded from this warranty
** Except for Lees® carpet.
*** See Healthier Living Pro-rated schedule below for usage fee that applies.
**** See store for details.

Limited Stain Warranty

Most carpets have been specially treated to resist stains. Stain resistance means the ability of the carpet pile to resist (minimize or withstand) permanent stains. No carpet is fully stain-proof. Therefore, this limited warranty excludes stains from:

Non-food and non-beverage substances
Such food and beverages that contain strongly colored natural substantive dyes as found, for example, in mustard and hot beverages
Substances that destroy or change the color of carpets such as bleaches, acne medications, drain cleaners, and plant food/fertilizers
Vomit, urine, and feces
The fiber manufacturer provides most stain warranties. Contact the following fiber manufacturers for further information on care and cleaning and limited stain warranties for your specific carpet as specified by the warranty page.
Carpets made from fibers by:

ANSO®: Call Anso® Smart Lines Consumer Hotline at 1-800-441-7429
DUPONT: Call 866-476-7662
INVISTA®/STAINMASTER: Call 1-800-438-7668
SMARTSTRAND SORONA: Call 1-800-266-4295
WEAR-DATED®: Call the 24-hour hotline 1-800-367-9598

For all other fibers, call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer. Should your carpet not perform according to this Limited Stain Warranty for the term of your warranty, the affected area will be repaired or replaced. “Life of Floor” means the length of the Limited Wear Warranty specified by the warranty level corresponding to the carpet you purchased. The usage fee will be determined as a percentage of the original purchase.

Note: Some manufacturer stain warranties differ. Please see store for details on your particular carpet.

Certain restrictions may apply. See your retailer for more specific information concerning the recommended cleaning methods for your specific carpet.

See pro-rated schedule above. For Lees® pro-rated schedule see below.

Your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer guarantees the quality of workmanship to be professional and in keeping with the standards set by the wood industry. Should further service be required attributable to the original installation of your hardwood floor, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will return and provide that service at no cost to you for the life of the floor. “Life of Floor” means the length of the Limited Wear Warranty specified by the warranty level corresponding to the hardwood floor you purchased.

This Limited Installation Warranty applied only to the original purchaser and installation site and is not transferable. Wood is a natural product; variations in its grain pattern, color, and/or texture are normal and are not considered to be installation-related deficiencies. Your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer does not warrant the product against variation in the grain or texture.

Hardwood flooring, being a natural product, will continue to expand and contract through heating and non-heating seasons. Properly installed hardwood floors may consequently experience some separation between the boards at different times during the year. If such separations occur, it is not considered a product or installation defect and is not covered by this warranty.

With our exclusive tile, you are assured outstanding quality and style. All tile is designed to meet the highest performance standards and is warranted not to permanently stain when used under normal household conditions and properly maintained.

Excluded from this warranty are stains to your tile caused by exposure to IODINE and/or PERMANENT MARKERS. Also excluded from this Limited Stain Warranty are stains to grout, caulk, or any other material adhering to the tile.

The metal level corresponding to the product you purchased determines the length of this Limited Stain Warranty.

In addition to the requirements specified for each respective limited warranty, the following general terms and conditions apply to each of the limited warranties unless otherwise specified.

1. These limited warranties apply only to hardwood installed in owner-occupied residential space where no commercial activity takes place. Some styles are approved for commercial use (see label on back of sample for approved styles) and for only those styles specifically designated as approved for commercial use, the manufacturers’ warranties apply.
For purposes of these limited warranties, the terms “commercial activity” and “commercial application” shall mean an activity or application engaged in for business purposes, regardless of where such activity or application taking place, including but not limited to, such activity or application taking place in a store, office, warehouse, plant, facility or other place of business or residential dwelling.

2. These limited warranties apply to flooring purchased after October 1, 2010 only to the original purchaser and installation site and are not transferable.

3. These limited warranties exclude wood flooring that has been put to abnormal use or conditions, or abused in any way. “Abnormal use or conditions” includes, but is not limited to, water damage from plumbing, storm, or floor; damage from smoke, fire, uncontrolled humidity and/or temperatures in the residence; or other casualty event. “Abuse” is any use of the flooring that is unreasonable considering the normal and expected uses of a hardwood floor in a residence.

4. These limited warranties do not cover indentations, scratches, stains, or damage caused by negligence, moisture, erosion, pebbles, sand or other abrasives, pets, spiked-heel shoes, color variations, naturally occurring wood characteristics, insufficient furniture protection, or improper alterations of the original manufactured product. They also do not apply to damages from exposure to extreme heat, dryness, or water saturation in any form including wet mopping, steam cleaning, insects, erosion, pebbles, sand, other abrasives, or stains as a result of chemical or industrial products, other than recommended cleaning products. Minor separations between boards do occur and are not covered by a warranty.

5. Normal characteristics are not construed as defects. These warranties do not cover natural color variations of the normal differences between color samples or photographs and colors of installed floors. Reasonable selectivity is required to eliminate objectionable naturally occurring blemishes.
Any product deformity that is not measurable or that is visable only in certain light or from a certain angle is not considered a defect and is therefore not convered by the warranty. Defects are evaluated by their visibilty from reasonable vertical distance (standing height) from the floor.
Product determined to have any possible defect by the person doing the installation should be returned to your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer for inspection and possible replacement PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.
Carpet One Floor & Home®’s sole liability on any claim shall be limited to the repair or replacement of the defective goods for the affected area only which are proven to the manufacturer’s satisfaction to be defective. These warranties expressly exclude consequential or incidental damages.

6. Proof of purchase is necessary to verify all warranty claims. To qualify for repair or replacement, the original sales receipt or other documentation which demonstrates proof of purchase must be supplied.

7. These warranties apply only to residential installations performed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer. It must also be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation.

8. Due to color variations of product and/or samples, Carpet One Floor & Home® is not responsible for the failure of any hardwood flooring product to match (1) flooring products in adjacent space or (2) other wood products such as cabinets, stair railings, trim, and moldings. A change in shading of the wood is a natural characteristic and does not constitute any type of product defect.

9. CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME® SHALL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES BASED UPON THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES, CONTRACTS, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL CLAIM. Some states or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. The foregoing warranties give you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state or province to province.

10. If there is a conflict between these general terms and conditions and the limited warranties as specified, the limited warranties as specified shall control.

11. The terms of the warranty begin on the date of the installation.

12. Should you feel that your hardwood floor is not performing according to the terms in this warranty, contact your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer. This warranty is conditioned upon your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer’s receipt of notice in writing of the alleged issue prior to expiration of the limited warranty period and evidence that the floor was properly installed and not subject to any of the conditions herein defined to void the conditions of the warranty. These warranties apply on the condition that installation and regular and preventive maintenance have been carried out as recommended in this guide.