Technical Training Manual - Terazzo & Marble

Transcription

1 MAINTENANCE OF TERRAZZO AND MARBLE Introduction Composition Physical properties Maintenance Routine Maintenance Vitrification Removal of common stains Precautions Removal of excessive soiling Introduction Requirements Procedure Precautions Future maintenance Copyright Dublcheck Cleaning Services Ltd. Aug-02 Page 135

2 MAINTENANCE OF TERRAZZO AND MARBLE Introduction Terrazzo and Marble have been used as a floor material for at least 3000 years, particularly in some Mediterranean countries. Terrazzo may be laid "in situ" as a single screed or in the form of pre-cast tiles. Marble is normally laid in tile form. Composition Terrazzo consists of crushed marble or coloured stone aggregate set into a matrix of portland cement. The chips of marble and coloured stone may vary in size and although the matrix is normally white it can be coloured in order to create a more decorative effect. It is very rare nowadays to find a solid marble floor due to the prohibitive cost. Most marble floors consist of conglomerate marble tiles formed using selected marble pieces compressed into a tile form and bonded together with a polyester resin. Physical properties Terrazzo and marble floors are attractive in appearance and very hard wearing, but do tend to feel hard and can be generally noisy and cold. They have good slip resistance and will withstand heavy foot traffic, making them ideal for use in supermarkets and shopping precincts or concourses. Their excellent resistance to water also makes them suitable for washrooms, showers, toilet areas or hospital theatres. Although they are generally considered to be non-porous, their poor resistance to acids and strong alkaline solutions can lead to a gradual breakdown of the cement matrix, and even the coloured marble and stone when these products are used. This will result in the surface becoming more porous and therefore more difficult to clean. The use of acids and strong alkaline solutions should therefore be discouraged. Maintenance Due to the non-porous nature of these floors, the application of a seal or polish can lead to adhesion problems, with the dressing wearing off very quickly in traffic areas. Should the surface have become worn or porous due to incorrect maintenance procedures, the use of an emulsion (P.S.5.) and/or an emulsion polish may then be considered. The cleaning programme normally recommended incorporates routine and periodic maintenance as follows: Routine Maintenance This will involve the use of a neutral detergent or maintenance product for single or double solution mopping, followed if desired by high speed dry burnishing. The frequency of routine maintenance will be determined by the area to be cleaned and could be daily, twice weekly or weekly. Product dilution will vary according to the chosen detergent or maintenance product, together with the procedure to be adopted. Typical examples are as follows: Product Single solution mopping Double solution mopping Savona D1 1:2000 1:1000 1:75 Low foam 1:50 1:30 1:20 Spray burnishing Copyright Dublcheck Cleaning Services Ltd. Aug-02 Page 136

3 Clean & buff 1:100 1:60 1:40 S.P 66 NOT APPLICABLE NEAT Periodic Maintenance deep cleaning of Terrazzo and Marble may be required as an 'initial treatment' for the removal of ground-in dirt or heavy soiling and periodically thereafter with the frequency, depending on the type of area and degree of soiling. The recommended detergent is Low Foam, which has been specifically developed for the deep cleaning of terrazzo, the procedure being as follows: Remove surface dust and litter using a dust mop sweeper, dry vacuum or soft broom. Mix a solution of Low Foam diluted to 1:10 in the solution tank and commence machine scrubbing an area of m2 with a green nylon pad or polythene scrubbing brush. Heavily soiled areas may need to be pre-soaked with the cleaning solution prior to machine scrubbing. Sufficient solution should be dispensed to ensure that the floor remains wet throughout the scrubbing operation. On completion, use a wet pick-up machine or mopping unit to remove the slurry. Thoroughly rinse the floor with fresh water and a clean mop. Pick up rinse water and commence scrubbing the next area of floor. Vitrification This process can be used to produce an impervious, stain resistant finish to most Terrazzo and Marble surfaces and is particularly effective as a method of rejuvenating older floors. The resulting vitreous finish, produced by a thermochemical reaction, has an excellent gloss with improved durability and resistance to slip. Once vitrified the floors may be maintained as described above. For example, regular spray burnishing with Clean and Buff (diluted 1:40) or with neat S.P.66 will achieve a first class result on a vitrified surface. Full details of the vitrification process are available on the relevant Technical Information Sheet (TIS). Removal of common stains Terrazzo and Marble floors may occasionally become discoloured or stained by oil spillages or by rust, which occurs below or around the metal feet of shop fittings or furniture. Although stains can be difficult to remove, the following procedures may prove successful: If degreasing agents such as W.S.70 or D.E.P.20 will not remove the stain, it may be removed using a poultice of whiting and white spirit which should be mixed together and spread thickly over the stained area. The poultice should be left overnight with white spirit being added periodically as the poultice begins to dry out. Severe oil stains may require a second application. To remove rust stains, prepare a solution of sodium citrate (5½ oz to 1 litre of water) with an equal quantity of glycerine and mix with whiting to form a paste. Apply the paste thickly on to the stains and leave to dry. Severe stains may require a second application. Precautions In cases where an emulsion polish has been used for the maintenance of Terrazzo and Marble, it will be necessary to remove the polish film periodically using a polish stripper. During this operation it is important to adhere to the recommended dilution Copyright Dublcheck Cleaning Services Ltd. Aug-02 Page 137

4 rate. Keep the contact time to a minimum and ensure that the floor is rinsed thoroughly on completion. Removal of excessive soiling Introduction Routine mopping of stone floors, particularly in toilet and washroom areas, may lead to a build-up of soiling along skirting and around the edges of floors, caused by the use of dirty water, dirty equipment or a combination of both. This soiling can be effectively removed by using toilet de-scaler T.D.30. Such an operation, however, must be regarded as a 'once only' treatment, since the indiscriminate use of an acid on these floors can cause irreparable damage to the cement matrix or grouting. Requirements Protective clothing - gloves and goggles are essential and a mask may be necessary in some areas where ventilation is less than adequate. Plastic bowls, cloths, scrubbing brush, edging tool and hand pads. T.D.30 dilutes 1:20 for the cleaning operation. Savona D.2 diluted to 1:100 for neutralising T.D.30. Fresh water for rinsing. Cautionary signs. Procedure (Ventilate area and work on sections of approx. 2 metres) Use Savona solution to wet out adjacent areas of skirting and floor to prevent T.D.30 solution causing streaks or stains. Carefully apply R.D.30 solution to first section. Allow a maximum of five to six minutes contact time and do not over-wet the area. Agitate the area with scrubbing brush, edging tool or hand pad to loosen the build-up of soiling. Wipe off the solution. Repeat above procedure if the cleaning is not satisfactory. Using a clean cloth, apply the Savona solution to neutralise the acid cleaner, wiping off on completion. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water and wipe dry with clean cloth. Repeat the process on adjacent section and work systematically through the area. Precautions The normal precautions for using an acid based cleaner (CPL Classification irritant ) should be observed at all times. A dilution weaker than 1:20 may be adequate for some areas. For heavy soiling the strength may be increased, but do not exceed 1:5. Copyright Dublcheck Cleaning Services Ltd. Aug-02 Page 138

5 Future maintenance Once the areas are clean a more thorough mopping programme should be introduced to prevent recurrence of the problem. This will entail: A suitable neutral or multi-purpose detergent Use of clean equipment at all times Correct procedure, i.e., carefully cutting in to skirting with mop. Regular changing of cleaning solution when dirty Periodic use of edging tool to prevent future build-up Copyright Dublcheck Cleaning Services Ltd. Aug-02 Page 139