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Post by davetv120 on May 31, 2007 6:52:48 GMT -5
I need help with a bid for a restaurant that has 1200sq ft terra catta flooring. They are looking for 2-3 times per week. To clean and polish the floors. this would occure during overnight hours. The restaurant is locate in NYC. Alos what type of equipment would I need for a job like this.
Dave
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Post by Kevin on May 31, 2007 7:33:34 GMT -5
Terracotta the biggest problem tile in the world by my opinion. Such a wide variety of different types of Terracotta there is so much fluxuation in the porosity of the tiles. You can scrub and do soley a sealing of the grout, or go for a full seal. Depending on the type, it can take upto 12 coats of sealer, to fully seal the tile. Depends on the look the customer wants, do they want shiny or dull, make sure to ask.
The Terracotta problems incure with not enough sealer, causing a white residue to be on top of the tile, (looks like a big scab) once fully sealed though, you should be able to do a light mop to maintain, along with monthly or quarterly re-apply depending on foot traffic.
Our initial problems before with this tile had us scrubbing off the scabs, in certain areas do to improper drying, and different porosity of the tiles, then re-apply. We learned that it takes lots of coats to get the shine, and worry free maintenance the customer wants.
Your basic floor maintenance equipment will do just fine.
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Post by Grizzly on May 31, 2007 9:13:43 GMT -5
I'm not sure that I agree with Kevin; I would recommend an impregnator seal , gets into the porosity of the tile and prevents staining but maintains the appearance of the terracotta. It is not a topical sealer. Applying that much sealer will present a whole new , serious set of problems. Most sealers are just long chain polymers with no metal interlock. Once that sealer starts to get roughed up and dirt embedded in it , it will start to brown or yellow. Then your client will want it stripped out and it WILL BE A BEAR TO GET OFF. Where a finish with metal interlocks will emulsify after stripper dissolves the zinc link between polymers, the sealer has no metal interlink and the long chain polymers are VERY DIFFICULT to get to release. You may have to strip a section 3 to 4 times with a 1:4 ratio stripper solution to get it all off. The bottom line is educate the client on the difficulties of the floor you have. I recommend the impregnator to seal against staining , you can clean with a 175 swing machine and a brush driver and will look good.
Bill
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Post by Kevin on May 31, 2007 14:43:51 GMT -5
This is a good topic. Because I cannot find the absolute right answer, only from my experience. Great Information From Bill Also!  Dave, I think if you take a water droplet from a spoon or straw, and put it on the tile, since this is actually sandstone (baked earth), and wait to see if the tile sucks up the water fast like in seconds there is no impregnator present. If the water droplets stays on top of the tile, for minutes without absorbing say 5 minutes or later there is a heavy sealer or impregnator present and probably applied at construction. You then can follow up with a top scrub and sealer. A good link www.tileforums.com/index.php?showtopic=2843 |
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Post by davetv120 on May 31, 2007 20:10:10 GMT -5
Great info from both of you. I will look into the site Kevin. What would be the cost per Sq Ft?
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Post by logan5127 on May 31, 2007 21:14:22 GMT -5
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Post by davetv120 on Jun 1, 2007 6:45:22 GMT -5
Great site Dan. I will look into this site.
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that will fill the larger holes better than sealers with smaller particles. It is like a golf ball compared to a basketball. Check out this site. They can be of help to you.