Terrazzo and Stone Flooring Maintenance
Terrazzo and natural stone products are, by far, the longest lasting, most durable flooring surfaces that you could have in your home. Terrazzo is a ‘field manufactured’ product that is comprised of marble chips, natural stone aggregate and glass. Stone, of course, is a totally natural product that is mined and then cut to specific gauge and form. We’ve coupled these floors together because their respective maintenance treatments are, for the most part, identical.
No Soap, Please
These floors are solid matter and when properly sealed or burnished they have a zero absorption rate—which means, well, they don’t absorb a lick of liquid. So if you happen to grab a household cleaner to clean your stone or terrazzo, you’d better prepare yourself for a multitude of rinses because if you leave the slightest trace of surfactant (soap fat) on the surface you’ll have an indoor skating rink on your hands. Not only that, but every dust particle that’s floating about will have a nice, sticky surface to cling to. It’s always best to have Residential Floors to suggest the best, suitable cleaner for your floors. Don’t forget to sweep or vacuum to keep that nasty grit from scratching that glass-like finish!
Sealed with a Kiss
If you love your stone or terrazzo floor then show how much you care by making sure that the surface is properly sealed. Every natural product has some level of porosity and stone and terrazzo are natural products. A top quality sealer that is applied and buffed can, not only, bring out the true warmth and luster of the stone, but will provide months of worry-free maintenance. The sheen level of these floors is actually manipulated by the types of sealers, coats of sealers applied at any given time and the buffing process. Just tell us the kind of shine you’re looking for and we’ll do the rest of the work to make it happen for you. Yes, it’s that easy.
Back to the Grind
After years of use, abuse, neglect or simply raising your 12 kids in your Maryland/D.C. home your terrazzo or stone floor may require a new face. In this process, the tile is resurfaced by exposing it to a diamond grinding machine that pares the slightest of surface from the floor. This intervention renders a slick new ‘face’ that will be sealed and buffed–and looking as new as ever!
A little common sense goes a long way in the proper maintenance of your flooring. It’s our mission to know the ins and outs of every floor we sell and service–that’s just part of our commitment to you.
