Introduction to Floor Covering: Soil Hiding Considerations (part 4)

The building may be located in the country on a quiet road or near a major highway or manufacturing facility.  You may have a fully landscaped situation with grass and walks or you may have dirt and gravel around the structure.  You may be in an area that is routinely exposed to rain and mud.  Maybe you’re on the beach or in the dessert and sand is a consideration.  Some offices, motels, and retail stores are exposed to tracking from asphalt parking lots.  Maybe you have a restaurant that operates in part of the building, or a garage where your teenagers work on cars. You will need to carefully think about the specific composition of soil so that the correct selection can be made. The type and color of soil will vary by geographic location running the gamut of light to dark and somewhere in-between. Selecting a floor covering that has is similar in tone to the soil will tend to hide it.

Not only should it be able to conceal soil it is advisable for it to be a product that can be easily cleaned and cared for.  Concealed soil that is not removed will damage any floor-covering product.  You need to understand that stain and soil resistance on carpet helps to repel spills and dirt but it does not eliminate maintenance. Advertising for carpet may lead one to believe that a carpet that is treated with a stain and soil resisting product will not get dirty, you must understand that this product will not keep a carpet clean but allows for easier clean-up of common household spills. Stain and soil resist products are a good selection for any carpeted room in the house and will assist with maintenance in high traffic areas such as hallways, stairs or any other room where activity is high and food or beverage is consumed. 

Some advertising for laminated wood, sheet vinyl and other flooring products also tend to give the impression that the floor is indestructible.  Everything can be destroyed and often it takes little effort so you really need to understand what you are buying and where you are going to use it.