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Retail - Flooring
Cleaning & Maintenance Flooring
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Technical Data Download
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On Site Cleaning Following Installation
Clean the floor immediately
after installation and if it is to be exposed to other trades, cover it up,
Removing adhesive and grout is quicker and easier before it cures and should be
an ongoing part of the installation process. Keep a constant supply of water at
hand to sponge off any cement that does get onto the face of the stone. To
remove cured cement sweep or vacuum away all loose dust and debris and where
extensive spillage exists scrub with water and neutral detergent using a green
pad, then vacuum. If a film of cement still exists scrub again with a black
nylon pad or in stubborn cases use grade 3 or 4 steel wool. This should grind
away the cement without affecting the surface. Rinse well with clean water to
avoid rust from steel wool then wet vacuum dry. Removal of cured grout from
textured finishes can be difficult. If a few deposits exist, chip away with a
masonry chisel. In worst cases dilute the appropriate acid one part to four of
water, wash the solution over the floor and leave for 15 minutes while foaming
subsides. Remove thoroughly with a wet vacuum. Spot treat again with acid if any
stubborn marks remain. Remember acid does not dry and it must be neutralised –
dilute 500 gms of washing soda in warm water, flood the floor and leave for 15
minutes, scrub with a brush, wet vacuum the floor, rinse thoroughly and wet
vacuum again to remove all traces of washing soda.
Sealer
Not all internal flooring is sealed and the durability of the
stone is not necessarily impaired. Sealing will however make good maintenance
easier to achieve as it repels stains and allows dirt to be removed effectively.
It will, in general, slightly darken the colour of the stone and in some cases
(e.g. sanded or grit blasted) change the appearance more dramatically. A test
sample should be undertaken to determine the effect of sealing. Note that acids
will break down the sealer and should not be left lying on the surface for any
length of time. If applied correctly to perfectly clean stone, sealing provides
added protection to the stone and eases maintenance.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Whether or not the floor is sealed maintenance
is the same:
Dry vacuum and sweep to remove all loose dust and dirt. Wash
well with clean water in which a non-abrasive neutral detergent (PH7) may be
added for heavier Soiling. This will remove any spills so they are not smeared
across the floor by buffing.
Oily or greasy stains can be removed by
using white spirit or Soakaway
Floors should ideally be wet vacuumed so
as to remove soiling completely then buffed dry with a green nylon pad (floors
should not be allowed to dry through evaporation).
Textured Flooring
The cleaning process is the same but because a
textured floor collects and holds dirt more readily, more frequent maintenance
will be required. When scrubbing and buffing use a brush attachment in place of
the nylon pad.
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