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Care of Terrazzo |
It is doubtful that there is a flooring material
in use today that is as care-free as terrazzo.
Yet, a number of people have difficulty in
maintaining it. Like other materials, there
are inherent properties of terrazzo that should
be understood. Once understood, maintenance
problems are eliminated and the full beauty
as well as economy is realized. To best understand
terrazzo, you must first break it down into
components. Terrazzo consists of marble chips
and/or other aggregates in combination with
a binder of portland cement or a resinous material
such as epoxy, polyester, or polyacrylate.
The marble chips and/or aggregates are mixed
with the binder at a ratio of 2 to 1 (Chips
to Binder.) During the installation of terrazzo,
additional chips may be sprinkled on the surface
so that a minimum density of 70% marble chips
appears on the finished surface.
Protection: When
dealing with terrazzo, the use of a pure surface
coating (as most floor waxes are) is unnecessary
and ordinarily NOT recommended. The terrazzo
surface is at least 70% marble or aggregate.
Applying a surface coating or wax may decrease
the non-slip co-efficient of friction below
the standard rating of 0.5. The marble chips
and aggregates (which make up 70% of the terrazzo
floor) have very low porosity and do not absorb
most staining substances. The portion of the
terrazzo that needs protection is the binder,
especially portland cement, which is porous
and will absorb stains. Terrazzo does not need
protection from wear, it needs protection from
absorption and this is achieved though the
use of penetrating sealer which seals off the
pores in the binder.
Internal Protection:
Proper protection for terrazzo is accomplished
internally rather than “on the surface.” Being
internal, the process of waxing and rewaxing
is eliminated. Only periodic resealing are
necessary using a sealer that has a non-slip
rating of 0.5 or higher. It is wise to note
here that purely surface protection holds dirt
and adds to your cleaning and/or presents a
stripping problem. There are few natural products
as beautiful as marble. Shoe leather is one
of the finest polishers of terrazzo and daily
use allows it to develop a beautiful, natural
sheen or patina.
Neutral Cleaners
Cleaning : Terrazzo
should be cleaned only with neutral liquid
cleaners. The cleaning cycle to be set up should
be regulated by the amount of traffic. After
mopping your cleaning solution onto the floor,
allow several minutes for the grime-dissolving
action to take place, then squeegee, wet vacuum,
or mop up the dirt laden solution. It is important
to keep the floor wet during the entire cleaning
process so the dirt does not reabsorb into
the floor. Also, it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
THAT YOUR RINSE WATER, MOP AND PAIL ARE CLEAN
so that dirt is not reapplied to the floor.
Cleaning Materials: The
liquid cleaner selected MUST be neutral with
a pH factor between 7.0 and 10.0. The cleaner
must also be free from any harmful alkali,
acid, etc. that might damage the floor. The
NTMA specifically warns that soaps containing
water solubles, inorganic salts or crystallizing
salts should NEVER be used in the maintenance
of terrazzo; some terrazzo floors have been
damages by improper selection of cleaning materials.
NON-OILY DRESSINGS
If a mop dressing is used for daily sweeping,
be sure it is non-oily. Sweeping compounds
containing oil are a fire hazard and most of
them contain sand, which is hard to sweep up
and abrades the floor. Floor oils also penetrate
and permanently discolor terrazzo.
CURING AND AESTHETICS
New terrazzo floors require time and patience
to allow the curing process to run its natural
course. It is also a fact that many terrazzo
colors will appear mottled initially. This
does not indicate that the installing contractor
did not execute properly. This less than desirable
appearance is often beyond the control of the
terrazzo contractor as it is the normal characteristics
of the system. It is a fact that, initially,
the aesthetics of a new terrazzo floor is far
from what is desired, but it is predictable
that with each passing day the aesthetics will
increase and the results of a good installation
will be recognized. This provides the owner
with the performance, aesthetics and ease of
maintenance for the life-long expectancy known
by the history of terrazzo. |
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