LESLIE: Heading down to South Carolina where Betty has a concrete question. What can we help you with?
BETTY: When I walk from my car into my house through my driveway and on my walk, when I come into my house, I see the footprints on my dark, hardwood floors.
TOM: Hmm. So you’re picking up something on your feet and you think it’s from the driveway?
BETTY: I think it’s – it’s almost like a very fine powder.
TOM: Hmm, I wonder if this – has the driveway had any wear-and-tear problems?
BETTY: No.
TOM: Well, how about a doormat. Have you thought of that? (chuckles)
BETTY: Well, I have but when I have company or …
TOM: Yeah.
BETTY: … a lot of people coming in; I mean it just – just one trip in and you can see them on the floor. And someone suggested maybe powerwashing it or …
TOM: Well, I mean you could but if you did that you’d have to be very careful to not erode too much of the surface because there’s a lot of wear and tear that happens when you pressure wash.
BETTY: Mm-hmm.
TOM: You certainly could try that but I think you’re just picking up normal dust and dirt from being outside and hardwood floors tend to really show that. And that’s why area rugs and carpets or throw rugs are a good idea.
LESLIE: And efflorescence coming through – you know, the mineral salts on the concrete floor – would not transfer to a foot like that?
TOM: I mean it could but I doubt, being outside, that she’s getting a lot of that built up because every time it rains it would probably wash away.
LESLIE: Wash away.
TOM: Yep. You know, you could have mineral salt deposits on it, like Leslie’s saying, that could be contributing to it but I don’t think there’s going to be an easy, permanent solution.
BETTY: OK.
TOM: Aside from, you know, wiping your feet.
Leave a Reply