Terrazzo Maintenance and Floor Care
Cleaning Epoxy Terrazzo Floors
When properly cared for, terrazzo floors can last a lifetime. One of the key benefits of terrazzo is its ease of maintenance. These floors are simple to clean, and with a few straightforward steps, you can minimize potential issues while preserving the aesthetic value of terrazzo throughout its lifespan. Epoxy terrazzo floors are especially easy to maintain due to their hard surface and the absence of grout joints and seams. Proper maintenance and cleaning procedures are essential to keep them in optimal condition.
As for how often you should sweep or scrub the floor, this depends on the amount of traffic that passes over it daily.
Since terrazzo floors are themselves a work of art, they require regular cleaning to maintain their appearance, ensuring they look as good as new for many years to come. For detailed guidance, the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association offers a complete daily and weekly cleaning care guide.
Daily Routine
To clean a terrazzo floor daily, all you need is a mop and water. It is not recommended to use harsh acid-based cleaners, alkaline strippers, aggressive scrubbing pads, or wax products. When mopping, use detergents with a neutral pH level. For stubborn stains and marks, apply a neutral cleaner diluted in warm water directly to the affected areas.
Weekly Routine
Once a week, damp mop a lightly soiled terrazzo floor with a neutral cleaner. For heavily soiled floors, scrub with a mechanical soft buffing machine and a neutral cleaner. After scrubbing, ensure that all residue is mopped up with clean water before the floor dries. Allow the terrazzo floor to dry completely and then buff it with a soft, dry brush. If the floor experiences heavy foot traffic and becomes dirty more quickly, use a mechanical buffing machine with a neutral cleaner more frequently, as regular mopping may not adequately clean the surface. If the floor typically remains clean, this thorough procedure can be done monthly.
Occasionally
Epoxy terrazzo is resistant to wear and chemical damage. However, if necessary, the surface may be renewed by cleaning and re-coating it with the appropriate resin sealer. Before applying the new coating, ensure the floor is thoroughly cleaned and lightly ground to promote a strong bond. The resin sealer improves resistance to stains, dirt, and wear. It serves to help protect the aggregate and enhance the floor’s beauty. Resealing the floor is needed when regular cleaning and polishing fails to restore its like-new glow. Furthermore, the right sealer allows a terrazzo floor to develop its natural sheen, or patina, as it ages. A terrazzo floor looks better over time as the patina is developed, with foot traffic and maintenance.
Helpful Tips for Terrazzo Maintenance:
DO NOT allow the solutions to dry on the surface.
DO NOT use surface waxes or all-purpose cleaners.
DO NOT use all-purpose cleaners containing water-soluble inorganic or crystallizing salts, harmful alkali, or acids.
Also, important!
Ask the installing terrazzo contractor to recommend the proper neutral cleaners and sealers to be used on the floor or to help you with any other difficulty you may have.