Home Improvement

Dealing with Poor Gloss on Floors

If you are using industrial cleaning equipment, you want the finished product to be glossy and sparkling. However, many times it seems like you can’t get a good gloss on the floor no matter how many passes you make. It can be enough to make you want to give up.

One of the problems could be the quality of your equipment. If your mops and brushes are dirty and contaminated then it’s likely that you won’t get the same shine. Make sure to clean all used janitorial equipment before starting a new project – don’t use the same mop for different tasks if you haven’t given it a thorough cleaning yet.

You also might want to consider your floor buffing technique, especially the frequency of use. Break out the floor buffer on a daily basis and make sure you are applying the proper coats in order to get the best gloss possible.

Lowe’s FY 2010 view may fall short, shares down (Reuters)

Reuters - Home improvement retailer Lowe’s Cos Inc forecast earnings for its next fiscal year that could fall short of Wall Street expectations, sending its shares down 2.3 percent.

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Lowe’s FY 2010 view may fall short, shares down
(Reuters)

Lowe’s reaffirms 2009 guidance, may see charges (AP)

AP - Lowe’s Cos. on Tuesday reaffirmed its fiscal 2009 profit and sales outlook, but nation’s second biggest home improvement retailer warned it may need to write off up to $100 million during the second half of the year.

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Lowe’s reaffirms 2009 guidance, may see charges
(AP)

Australia’s Woolworths’ DIY joint venture (AFP)

AFP - Australia’s biggest retailer Woolworths on Tuesday announced a joint venture with US home improvement chain Lowe’s to break into the hardware sector, in a major challenge to rival Wesfarmers.

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Australia’s Woolworths’ DIY joint venture
(AFP)

Lowe’s quarterly profit falls (Reuters)

Reuters - Lowe’s reported a 19 percent drop in quarterly net profit as bad weather in core markets and U.S. economic woes kept shoppers away, and the home improvement retailer’s shares fell nearly 8 percent.

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Lowe’s quarterly profit falls
(Reuters)

Earnings Preview: Home Depot (AP)

AP - Home Depot Inc., the largest U.S. home improvement retailer, reports its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

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Earnings Preview: Home Depot
(AP)

As retailers cut back cities confront ‘ghostboxes’ (AP)

AP - Hundreds of anxious shoppers watched as city officials used power saws to cut 2-by-4s during Home Depot Inc.’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for its 102,700-square-foot building center in Bismarck. Less than three years later, the home improvement retailer shuttered the underperforming store, leaving a big orange empty eyesore on the outskirts of town.

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As retailers cut back cities confront ‘ghostboxes’
(AP)

Home Depot raises full-year earnings guidance (AP)

AP - Home Depot Inc., the nation’s largest home improvement retailer, said Wednesday that its full-year earnings from continuing operations may come in better than previously forecast.

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Home Depot raises full-year earnings guidance
(AP)

Purchasing a Floor Buffer

When floor cleanliness and appearance is crucial, almost nothing works as well as an industrial floor buffer. A floor buffer or floor polisher will clean and protect everything from wood to marble and linoleum floors, leaving surfaces pristine and glossy.

If you’re considering buying a floor buffer, you’ll find that you have a number of options. Here are just a few of the things to take into consideration:

• Battery powered, electric, or propane buffer? The answer to this question depends mostly on personal preference. Dragging cords from one area to the next can be cumbersome, but so can refilling a propane tank or charging a battery. Consider the space to be cleaned as well; in some cases, cords may pose a safety hazard.
• Size of the buffer. This depends on the size of the area to be cleaned. If the space to be cleaned is a gym, for example, a large 27” diameter buffer will get the job done efficiently. In smaller areas with lots of corners or tight spaces, a 15” to 17” buffer might be more appropriate.
• Combination floor stripper. Some commercial floor buffers moonlight as floor strippers in addition to buffers and remove wax buildups and stains.
• Horsepower. Again, this depends on the application. For commercial applications and applications where stripping is required, more horsepower is ideal. For light buffing of small spaces, go with less horsepower. The operator also makes a difference, as some people may not have the strength to handle a more powerful unit.
• New or reconditioned? To save money, consider using a reconditioned unit. But whether you purchase a new or used buffer, it’s also advisable to rent a machine before purchasing it to familiarize yourself with the features and handling.