The Ultimate Guide to Hard Floor Maintenance: Boosting Productivity and Aesthetics
The Value of Professional Floor Care
Cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s an investment in productivity, public health, and the longevity of your assets. As custodians of vast physical properties, understanding the nuances of hard floor maintenance is crucial. This guide dives deep into the theory and practice of maintaining hard floors, ensuring that they remain the crowning jewel of any building.
Why Focus on Floors?
Floors are the most visible areas in any building, accounting for a whopping 40% of maintenance costs. Their prominence means they require our utmost attention and expertise. Proper preparation, equipped with a checklist and the right tools, ensures efficiency, quality, and safety.
Two Main Procedures for Hard Floor Restoration
- Scrub and Recoat: Ideal for floors with a finish that’s still in decent condition. This procedure involves a heavy-duty cleaner and a scrubbing pad.
- Stripping and Refinishing: A more intensive process, stripping involves removing all floor finish, ensuring every nook and cranny, from edges to baseboards, is addressed.
Tools of the Trade
Equipment and Chemicals
- Mops and Buckets: Color-code or mark them based on their specific tasks.
- Floor Pads: Your choice of floor pad is as crucial as the machine itself. Whether scrubbing or stripping, consult with a janitorial supply professional for the best fit.
- Chemicals: Not all cleaning solutions or strippers are created equal. Test them first to ensure they meet your expectations. And remember, never mix them with hot water.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Floor Maintenance
Preparation
- Clear the Area: Remove furniture and mats. Use caution signs to warn of wet floors.
- Dry Soil Removal: Before any wet procedure, ensure all dry soil and grit are removed. Tools like dust mops, angle brooms, or dry vacuums can be handy.
Scrubbing and Stripping
- Solution Application: Depending on your procedure (scrubbing or stripping), mix the appropriate chemical with water in a mop bucket.
- Floor Machine Use: Equip your floor machine with the right pad. For scrubbing, the aim is to remove surface soil without disturbing the underlying healthy finish. For stripping, the goal is complete finish removal without damaging the floor.
Rinsing and Drying
- Rinse: Use a high-quality mop to rinse the floor, ensuring all residues are removed.
- Drying: Before applying a new finish, ensure the floor is completely dry.
Finishing Touches
- Applying the Finish: Whether after scrubbing or stripping, the finish application remains the same. The difference lies in the number of coats applied.
- Burnishing: To achieve maximum gloss and durability, consider burnishing with a high-speed floor machine after the finish has cured.
