SPECIAL PROCEDURES: CONCRETE FLOORS

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: CONCRETE FLOORS Unsealed concrete is spot-absorbent and leaves a residue as it begins to deteriorate (dusting), creating an unending maintenance problem. Age, moisture content and floor usage affect concrete floor maintenance. PREPARING CONCRETE FLOOR FOR SEALING Determine moisture level Test for old sealer on floor Strip floor Etch: Neutralize new or unsealed concrete with muriatic acid RUBBER MAT TEST PROCEDURES Used on aged concrete to determine moisture level Strip 4 X 4 area with water-soluble degreaser Remove solution and thoroughly rinse with clear water While floor is still wet, apply muriatic acid When fizzing stops, flush area with water and let dry at least 12 hours Cover test area with rubber mat, duct tape edges, wait 72 Hours Remove the mat If area under mat has darkened or moisture is on back of mat, moisture is present in concrete If moisture is present, special seal must be used after stripping and before seal is applied to floor If no moisture, proceed to regular stripping and finishing operations

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: CONCRETE FLOORS TESTING FOR OLD SEALER If presence of a sealer on floor is NOT KNOWN: Strip 3 X 3 area with a degreaser and let dry Apply a few drops of muriatic acid to area If fizz, NO sealer is present If no fizz, sealer is present floor needs to be stripped Repeat test in several areas, along baseboards and in corners STRIPPING/ETCHING PROCEDURES Sealed and Aged Concrete Spread water-soluble solvent on floor with mop or pump sprayer Let solvent sit on floor for a few minutes Keeping floor wet with solvent, strip with floor machine Use brown or black pads or a white brush on machine Agitate until floor turns dark Remove solution Floor should be flushed clean Redo all areas not stripped and clean Repeat procedures with properly diluted water-soluble degreaser New and Never-Been-Sealed Concrete Strip concrete according to procedure for sealed/aged concrete Ventilate area well and wear personal protective equipment Neutralize with muriatic acid, let floor dry for at least 24 hours before sealing

CONCRETE FLOORS SEALING GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SEALING CONCRETE FLOORS Prepare floor properly: There is no substitute for a good bond between floor and finish Carefully follow label directions Use clean applicators and sprayers Use only recommended thinners Always apply sealer in thin, even coats Keep dust to a minimum when sealing Allow each coat to dry thoroughly Provide adequate heat and ventilation during surface preparation and application Avoid working on floors when air temp is below 50 o F or above 90 o F SEALING NEW CONCRETE (LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD) Apply one coat of sealer with sprayer, roller or lambswool applicator SEALING AGED, PREVIOUSLY UNSEALED CONCRETE (MORE THAN 3 MONTHS OLD) Applying Oil-Modified Urethane or Water-Based Epoxy: Dilute each gallon of oil-modified urethane with 1 pint of mineral spirits Mix per label instructions Apply first coat with short-nap roller or lambswool applicator Let first coat dry overnight Do not dilute second coat Apply at the rate of 350-450 square feet per gallon Very porous or rough surfaces may require third coat

CONCRETE FLOORS SEALING SEALING AGED, PREVIOUSLY UNSEALED CONCRETE (MORE THAN 3 MONTHS OLD) Applying Moisture-Cured Urethane: Follow label mixing instructions exactly Apply first coat with lambswool applicator at the rate of 300-350 square feet per gallon Let Floor Dry 8 to 12 Hours Apply Second Coat at Rate of 350 Square Feet per Gallon Very Porous or Rough Surfaces May Require Third Coat SEALING OLD, PREVIOUSLY SEALED CONCRETE If old finish is cracking or flaking, strip it If bond of old finish to floor is without cracking/flaking: Scrub with water-soluble degreaser with floor machine using black or brown pad or wire brush Pick up solution with squeegee or wet vacuum Roughen dry floor with steel wool pad or coarse black stripping pad Tack rag twice using damp towels around dust mop head When floor is prepared, follow sealer directions exactly Use roller, pressure sprayer or lambswool applicator to apply sealer

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: CERAMIC & QUARRY TILE FLOORS Tile grout is the weak link in cleaning and maintaining ceramic and quarry tile floors, which are differently composed floor materials that can be maintained similarly. CLEANING/SCRUBBING TYPES OF MACHINES USED FOR CLEANING/SCRUBBING Conventional low-speed Automatic scrubber Cylindrical brush/rotary wash machine ALWAYS USE A BRUSH ATTACHMENT EQUIPMENT Machine for scrubbing 3 buckets & mops for mop-on method - OR - 2 buckets & mops for machine application 2 clean mop wringers Wet/dry vacuum Dust mop and broom Putty knife Proper machine scrubbing brush Stripper or detergent Neutralizing chemical One custodian to apply solution and operate machine Second custodian to rinse floor and change rinse water

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: CERAMIC & QUARRY TILE FLOORS CLEANING PROCEDURE Select proper brush for machine being used and for floor surface Sweep, dust mop, and remove sticky substances Place wet floor signs Dilute cleaning or stripper solution according to directions Pour into machine or mop bucket Never use a high-alkaline cleaner Apply cleaning solution to a 10 X 10 area with mop or machine Machine scrub solution, overlap just-scrubbed area Pickup solution with wet vacuum First Rinse: Clean water only, use S or 8 stroke for mop rinse Second Rinse: Neutralizer, at Right Angles to Direction of Rinse One Hand Clean Edges and Corners SEALING CERAMIC AND QUARRY TILE Sealing will protect grout and prevent grout staining Quarry Tile: Can be finished with high-speed floor machine Maintained with thermoplastic restorer Do not apply seal to quarry tile floors in food service areas Ceramic Tile: Can be maintained with quality polymer floor finish Recoat as frequently as necessary In wet areas, cleaners and disinfectants dissolve and reduce effectiveness of floor finish A regular scrub and refinish program will provide optimum appearance and protection

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: WOOD FLOORS Wood floors are sealed to protect and strengthen the surface, to add beauty and to provide an easier-to-clean surface. In hightraffic areas, floors should be refinished regularly once or twice a year to protect the seal. SANDING An extreme measure - last resort when surface protection is lost 1/3 of floor s life lost with each sanding To be done ONLY by trained professionals AFTER SANDING: Allow dust to settle for 24 to 48 hours Thoroughly dust all horizontal surfaces Mop floor with tack rag moistened with compatible cleaner/solvent until no dust remains CHEMICAL STRIPPING The next-to-last resort if sealing, refinishing and restoration procedures have not been properly performed Stripping a Wood Gym Floor: Remove gum and other material Strip colored game lines and borders With metal sprinkling can, pour stripper on lines and borders With metal shovel, remove blistered paint and put in metal bucket

WOOD FLOORS CHEMICAL STRIPPING Stripping a Wood Gym Floor (Continued): Along one edge of the court, use a metal sprinkling can to pour a 6 wide puddle of remover (do not splash on walls or baseboards) Spread evenly with lambswool applicator, do not allow it to dry Scrape blistered finish with putty knife Use squeegee to push scraped material onto unstripped area Strip floor Pour remover in 5 wide strip across width of Floor Push removed finish into next 5 wide strip After first work crew proceeds 10-15 down floor, second crew uses single steel wire brush floor machine on stripped area Sweep floor with push broom DISPOSE USED PAINT AND VARNISH REMOVER ACCORDING TO CURRENT HAZARDOUS WASTE REGULATIONS Place steel wool pad under machine s wire brush Place 80-grit disc under the steel wool pad Disc floor in opposite direction of floor boards (across grain) Sweep floor and disc in same direction as floor boards Change disc to 100-grit and disc with grain Sweep and dry vacuum floor in same direction as floor boards Use compatible cleaner/solvent to tack rag floor 2-3 times Let floor set 24 to 48 hours before sealing Dust above floor surfaces

WOOD FLOORS CHEMICAL STRIPPING Stripping Other Types of Wood Floor: Use a non-flammable, flush-off type remover. Apply stripper with lambswool applicator on 100 square-foot area As soon as applied, cover with sawdust When softened, buff with floor machine Use steel wire brush Use putty knife to scrape around edges and corners Sweep or squeegee residue DISPOSE ACCORDING TO MOST CURRENT HAZARDOUS WASTE REGULATIONS Scrub small patches of floor with water-soluble degreaser solution REMEMBER WATER ON OPEN WOOD CAN WARP IT QUICKLY! Rinse twice with damp mop When floor dries, machine buff with 100-grit abrasive screen Sweep and dry vacuum floor Tack rag at least twice with compatible waterless cleaner Restrip any area, if necessary

WOOD FLOORS CLEANING WOOD FLOORS Sparingly use solutions containing water Waterless Cleaning: Dust mop and remove gum and sticky substances By sections, apply waterless cleaner solution with mop DO NOT ALLOW CLEANER TO DRY Scrub treated section with floor machine Use 100-grit screen disc under black or brown pad Remove residue with mop and wring mop in bucket containing waterless cleaning solution Allow floor to dry (one hour) Tack rag the floor Wet Method of Cleaning: Dry buff entire floor with 100-grit screenback disc Several disks may be required Dust mop with dry untreated mop Apply neutral cleaner solution with mop, small area at a time Scrub dampened area with 120-grit screenback disc Quickly remove residue with wet vacuum Rinse floor twice with damp mop WAIT 24 hours before applying seal or finish

WOOD FLOORS SEALING WOOD FLOORS Use four people working in two teams of two each Team One: Two workers begin at far corner First worker applies seal on 4-foot wide sections with lambswool applicator, using forward, backward and overlap-u methods against wood grain Second worker smoothes and feathers seal going with grain Team Two: Next two workers begin when first team is half-way down floor Apply seal using same methods as first team 4 feet-path 1 Team 1 4 feet-path 2 Team 2 4 feet-path 3 Team 1 4 feet-path 4 Team 2 Worker Worker Worker Worker Worker Worker Worker Worker Etc. Continue applying seal in 4-foot paths until entire floor is covered As soon as first coat is applied, scrape excess seal from lambswool applicators and wrap in several wet towels Allow first coat to dry overnight

WOOD FLOORS SEALING FLOORS (CONTINUED) Next Day: Abrade first coat Put No. 2 steel wool pad under steel wire brush and follow wood grain Tack rag, dampen towels with compatible cleaner/solvent Let dry 30 minutes before applying second coat Follow same procedure Allow second coat to dry overnight before applying finish or painting game lines on a gym floor APPLYING GYM FLOOR GAME LINES Use game line paint chemically compatible with seal and finish being used Paint lines on only sealed wood floors PROCEDURE: Go over dry, sealed floor with No. 2 steel wool pad under floor machine brush Tack rag the floor and allow to dry Lay marking tape per directions, adhere tape edges to floor Paint lines inside tape guides Let paint dry two hours, remove paint tape Let paint dry overnight Lightly abrade game lines with No. 2 steel wool pad under floor machine Tack rag floor, allow to dry before applying final finish coat

WOOD FLOORS APPLYING FINISH TO WOOD FLOORS 10 Characteristics of a Good Wood Floor Finish: Not slippery Patchable Doesn t crack, flake, powder Resists water Doesn t darken wood Repels dirt Penetrates wood Doesn t turn orange Bonds to next coat Isn t a health hazard Finish Application Procedure: Follow same procedure as for sealing - Two, two-person teams working in 4 paths Apply finish after floor has been abraded and tack-ragged Use lambswool or gravity feed applicator to apply finish While applying finish, don t stop until the whole floor is done Let first coat dry overnight Next Day: Use No. 2 steel wool brush under floor machine brush Work along the wood grain Tack rag and allow to dry Apply second coat of finish exactly as first coat Let final coat thoroughly dry and close area to all foot traffic for 72 hours Dust mop with treated mop before allowing traffic on floor

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: MARBLE FLOOR CARE MARBLE RESTORATION Not necessary if floors have been properly maintained Should be done only by professionals Grinding: Costly for severely damaged floors Uses various grid screens on heavy grinding machines Resurfacing: Less costly Not done on cracked marble surfaces Uses floor machine with polishing pad and oxalic acid or tin oxide powder blended with fine abrasives Crystallization: Shines and hardens stone as a result of chemical changes on floor surface Makes floors easier to maintain SEALING AND FINISHING MARBLE Natural stone needs to breathe Use only 100% permeable seal or permeable impregnator Completely remove old finish and allow stone to dry completely Apply finish with lambswool applicator or mop Lambswool preferred Apply finish in smooth, even, straight-line strokes No feathering necessary Do not get finish on walls or baseboards

MARBLE FLOOR CARE MARBLE RESTORATION Newly Installed Marble: Dust mop Apply citrus-based cleaning solution Scrub with floor machine Use red pad Soak pad first in citrus-based solution Damp mop rinse Use neutral cleaner Vacuum soiled scrub solution Rinse again with neutral cleaner Change rinse water often Repeat until all areas are completed Apply coating evenly with mop Use rayon mop head Burnish After second coat with a polythermal high-speed pad, dust mop Consult coating manufacturer s directions for the recommended number of coats

MARBLE FLOOR CARE MARBLE RESTORATION Older or Badly Worn Marble Floors: Sweep Apply stripper Liberal amount on a 10 X 10 area Let set five minutes, do not let dry Agitate with mop May need floor machine Scrub with red mop pad Damp mop rinse Use neutral cleaner Wet Vac soiled scrub solution Rinse again with neutral cleaner/cool water solution Damp mop twice with clean water Repeat on 10 X 10 sections until all areas are completed Evenly apply coating with mop Use rayon mop head Burnish After second coat with a polythermal high-speed pad, dust mop

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: MARBLE FLOOR CARE MARBLE REFINISHING Clean and recoat marble floors in high-traffic areas about every six months Dust mop Apply neutral cleaner Scrub with floor machine Use red pad Wet vac the scrubbing solution Damp mop with clean water Change water often Let dry Apply protective coat Apply second coat when first coat is dry Evenly apply thin coats Burnish after second coat Use a polythermal high-speed pad Dust mop

TERRAZZO FLOORS STRIPPING Do not use acidic cleaners or strippers Ammoniated strippers work well Three Workers: First operates floor machine Second cleans edges/corners, applies solution, operates wetvac Third fills solution bucket, rinses floor, changes water PROCEDURE: Sweep and dust, remove gum, set wet floor signs Prepare solution and apply with wet mop on 10 X 10 areas Strip with floor machine Use circular motion in constant slow-moving fashion Back out of area and begin next area; overlap each section Wet-vac as much solution as possible Mop using figure - 8 or S - stroke in one direction with first rinse water and in other direction with next rinse SEALING AND FINISHING Terrazzo requires separate sealing and finishing procedures Sealing: Apply even, smooth straight-line strokes with lambswool applicator or mop Finishing: Apply to clean dusted floor using figure - 8 or S - stroke Opposite direction for each successive coat Use plastic liner in bucket and clean mop Use only for applying finish

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: CORK & RUBBER STUDDED FLOORS CORK FLOORS Don t use too much water or highly alkaline cleansers or solutions Natural Cork: Clean only with neutral synthetic detergents Usually need stripping and sealing once a year Factory-Produced Cork Floors: Usually impregnated with wax, etc. Stripping: Use No. 0 steel wool pad Sealing and Finishing: Use penetrating sealers and lambswool applicator or mop Use liquid solvent-based finish and buff with No. 0 RUBBER STUDDED FLOORS Silicone coating and surface paraffin attracts and holds dirt and will not let deal or finish bond to rubber Stripping: Spray or mop on neutral stripping solution and scrub with regular floor machine using soft nylon bristle brush Cylindrical brush/rotary wash machine ideal for this type floor Finishing: FLOOR FINISH MUST BE FLEXIBLE because rubber floor moves Use buffable finishes that contain carnauba wax DO NOT USE polymers and metal interlock finishes Finish wears from studs first Watch for finish buildup below studs

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: RESTORING OLD ASPHALT TILE Used in buildings: 1940s through the early 60s A very soft tile Color & finish often damaged by strong cleaning chemicals RESTORATION PROCEDURE Strip Floor Surface: Follow procedures used for stripping resilient floor surfaces NEVER USE BLEACH, AMMONIA OR HIGH ph STRIPPERS ON THIS TYPE OF FLOOR SURFACE! After stripping, rub on paint, oil and grease remover compound by hand or with lambswool applicator This procedure restores color 24 hours after above procedure, apply fiberglass resin sealer to the floor surface After sealing, apply metal interlock finish To Maintain Restored Surface: Dust mop daily Regularly mop or perform auto scrubbing Keep clean