Before talking about terrazzo flooring restoration processes, it is important to mention the issue of the type of flooring in question. Old types of terrazzo flooring were relatively high maintenance and did require regular polishing, refinishing and then sealing to maintain the natural shine and rich gleam.
With new technology and advances in the design of flooring material, new types of terrazzo tile are virtually maintenance free. They will not need to be polished, stripped, waxed or sealed and they are also not going to etch or dull with use.
However, with traditional terrazzo, there is a very specific terrazzo flooring restoration process. This can be completed by a professional flooring company, but ensure they have experience with terrazzo as it is different than working with other natural stones such as granite or marble.
Getting the Surface Prepared
Often with old terrazzo flooring, other types of flooring including hardwood, tiles or carpet, may have been installed over the terrazzo. It is important to remove all of the old flooring on top of the surface, and also remove any large pieces or areas of adhesive, glue or dried material.
Grinding
With an old style of cement-based terrazzo flooring, wet grinding is typically used by a professional floor restoration company. This grinding is done with a diamond pad, which allows the top very thin surface of the flooring to be removed. This will take off all residue of the adhesive from other flooring, and also remove any etching, old wax or old sealant that may be present.
Repairs
The next step in the terrazzo flooring restoration will be to take a close look at the floor now that it is fully exposed. If there are any fine cracks, chips or perhaps holes from nails or screws, they will need to be patched.
The cement patch, or mortar, will be selected based on the color of the terrazzo and the aggregates. Once the repaired area has dried, it will then go through the grinding process so it has the same surface as the rest of the flooring.
Polishing and Sealing
Polishing the terrazzo is also done with commercial machines that use a variety of different pads and polishing discs to give the desired finish. This can include several passes and it is an essential part of the terrazzo flooring restoration.
Once the flooring is fully polished and has the desired shine, the last part of terrazzo flooring restoration is to apply a sealer. Today’s sealers are very effective at adding protection to a terrazzo floor, limiting the need for all the polishing and resealing that was common in the past.
At Trend Terrazzo Tile we offer low maintenance, lightweight and beautiful terrazzo tiles that won’t require terrazzo flooring restoration. To learn more or to browse our gallery see us at Domain Url.
