Care of Terrazzo
It is doubtful that there is a flooring material in use today that is as care-free as terrazzo. Yet, a number of people have difficulty in maintaining it. Like other materials, there are inherent properties of terrazzo that should be understood. Once understood, maintenance problems are eliminated and the full beauty as well as economy is realized. To best understand terrazzo, you must first break it down into components. Terrazzo consists of marble chips and/or other aggregates in combination with a binder of portland cement or a resinous material such as epoxy, polyester, or polyacrylate. The marble chips and/or aggregates are mixed with the binder at a ratio of 2 to 1 (Chips to Binder.) During the installation of terrazzo, additional chips may be sprinkled on the surface so that a minimum density of 70% marble chips appears on the finished surface.
Protection: When dealing with terrazzo, the use of a pure surface coating (as most floor waxes are) is unnecessary and ordinarily NOT recommended. The terrazzo surface is at least 70% marble or aggregate. Applying a surface coating or wax may decrease the non-slip co-efficient of friction below the standard rating of 0.5. The marble chips and aggregates (which make up 70% of the terrazzo floor) have very low porosity and do not absorb most staining substances. The portion of the terrazzo that needs protection is the binder, especially portland cement, which is porous and will absorb stains. Terrazzo does not need protection from wear, it needs protection from absorption and this is achieved though the use of penetrating sealer which seals off the pores in the binder.
Internal Protection: Proper protection for terrazzo is accomplished internally rather than “on the surface.” Being internal, the process of waxing and rewaxing is eliminated. Only periodic resealing are necessary using a sealer that has a non-slip rating of 0.5 or higher. It is wise to note here that purely surface protection holds dirt and adds to your cleaning and/or presents a stripping problem. There are few natural products as beautiful as marble. Shoe leather is one of the finest polishers of terrazzo and daily use allows it to develop a beautiful, natural sheen or patina.
Neutral Cleaners
Cleaning: Terrazzo should be cleaned only with neutral liquid cleaners. The cleaning cycle to be set up should be regulated by the amount of traffic. After mopping your cleaning solution onto the floor, allow several minutes for the grime-dissolving action to take place, then squeegee, wet vacuum, or mop up the dirt laden solution. It is important to keep the floor wet during the entire cleaning process so the dirt does not reabsorb into the floor. Also, it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT YOUR RINSE WATER, MOP AND PAIL ARE CLEAN so that dirt is not reapplied to the floor.
Cleaning Materials: The liquid cleaner selected MUST be neutral with a pH factor between 7.0 and 10.0. The cleaner must also be free from any harmful alkali, acid, etc. that might damage the floor. The NTMA specifically warns that soaps containing water solubles, inorganic salts or crystallizing salts should NEVER be used in the maintenance of terrazzo; some terrazzo floors have been damages by improper selection of cleaning materials.
NON-OILY DRESSINGS
If a mop dressing is used for daily sweeping, be sure it is non-oily. Sweeping compounds containing oil are a fire hazard and most of them contain sand, which is hard to sweep up and abrades the floor. Floor oils also penetrate and permanently discolor terrazzo.
CURING AND AESTHETICS
New terrazzo floors require time and patience to allow the curing process to run its natural course. It is also a fact that many terrazzo colors will appear mottled initially. This does not indicate that the installing contractor did not execute properly. This less than desirable appearance is often beyond the control of the terrazzo contractor as it is the normal characteristics of the system. It is a fact that, initially, the aesthetics of a new terrazzo floor is far from what is desired, but it is predictable that with each passing day the aesthetics will increase and the results of a good installation will be recognized. This provides the owner with the performance, aesthetics and ease of maintenance for the life-long expectancy known by the history of terrazzo.
Our Terrazzo Division offers the following services for your terrazzo floors:
Terrazzo Restoration
Terrazzo Grinding, Polishing and Vitrification
Terrazzo Sealing
Terrazzo Maintenance and Care
Terrazzo Cleaning
|
