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 Maintaining
Marble, Terrazzo, and Hardwood Floors
Do you have a problem with your marble and terrazzo floors
looking dull and dingy? Did that spilled soda leave a hazy
patch last week? Are you tired of closing off your entrance
to strip and refinish the marble and coping with the smells
in the process? Has your stone floor lost that "natural" look
that your customers find appealing? Maybe it is time to find
a better way to maintain your marble and terrazzo floors!
The Marvels of Marble
Marble is a natural stone widely used for decorative entrances
and corridors. Large slabs of marble are quarried, then cut
into smaller tiles.
The surface of the marble is either honed (producing a low
gloss) or polished (producing a high gloss). Marble is a very
soft stone; even softer than sand and is easily scratched.
While it is a beautiful surface, it can also be quite sensitive
to liquids and abrasion. Marble requires special care to ensure
many years of beauty.
Terrific Terrazzo
Terrazzo is another common floor material, used often in
entrances and restrooms. Starting out in a liquid form, terrazzo
is made from marble chips suspended in either Portland cement
or epoxy, poured in place and ground smooth. Terrazzo has
slightly better resistance than marble, but it can be easily
damaged as well.
Oops!
Most stains found on marble and terrazzo are the result of
food or drink spills. Some acid-based spills, like sodas and
spaghetti sauce, will stain and etch the surface. It is important
to clean up spills immediately from marble and terrazzo because
the longer an acidic liquid remains on the surface, the more
damage it will inflict.
When cleaning a spill from marble or terrazzo, it is important
to blot the spill because wiping may cause further damage.
Remove stains before refinishing or crystallizing work is
performed. This is an important step for producing outstanding
results.
Finishing Touches
Many building managers have layers of finish applied over
marble and terrazzo floors to maintain a high gloss appearance
and to protect it from wear and stains. (Keep in mind that
a honed stone will never produce a high gloss, no matter how
much finish is applied. The honed stone must be polished to
produce a high shine.) Applying finish is inconvenient, however,
because the floor must be shut down, chemicals carefully applied,
and low abrasion pads used. Finish application also generates
pungent odors, and finish must periodically be removed and
replaced. Finish also eliminates the "natural" look that appeals
to so many building owners and customers.
For best results in maintaining both your marble and terazzo
floors, contact a professional in the commercial floor cleaning
industry.
The Shoulds of Wood Floor Care
Once rarely found in new office buildings, hardwood floors
have made a big comeback in commercial settings. Their natural
beauty and the practicality of new finishes have made hardwood
an easy choice for many businesses.
Care and maintenance of hardwood floors is surprisingly easy
today if you understand what steps to take and what products
to use. Here are some tips for commercial hardwood floor care:
- Use doormats at all exterior entrances to trap sand and
grit before it gets into the building and scratches the
floor.
- Sweep or vacuum floors regularly.
- Place protectors on the feet of all furniture.
- Remove spills immediately and promptly wipe the area with
a soft cloth and proper cleaning product.
- Use area rugs on high traffic pathways, particularly in
pivot areas like the ends of steps and doorways. Be sure
to choose rugs that allow the floor to breathe (no rubber
backing or other non-ventilated material).
- Check for wear periodically and do not wait until wood
floors show extreme wear and tear before you take action.
Call in a professional to give the floors the protection
they need before it is necessary to have them fully sanded
and refinished which is an expensive and time consuming
process. (Sanding also removes patina and strips floors
of the mellow, rich look that comes with aging).
- Do not damp mop your wood floor; it can harm the finish.
Never use wax, oil soap, or other household cleaners on
your wood floor; they can dull the finish and make refinishing
more difficult.
- Clean your hardwood floors with a suitable professional
product every one to two weeks.
Article compliments
of ServiceMaster Clean
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