Strip and Wax Steps

[CaliMaids]

I am working on my first floor job since I started my new business. I need to strip and wax in a couple weeks and was wondering how you charge for doing stairs? Is it a price per step or square foot? An average length for most steps are 5ft. They are terrazzo stairs do you have any tips on how to clean and apply wax? Thank you!

[Kevin]

You should just charge the same price per square foot as you are bidding the job? If theres alot of steps maybe throw in $1-2 per step, more than likely there is not a high amont of wax build-up on steps, you can get a square black pad for stripping with a pole attachment and manually take care of the job, make sure to always use caution rope offs and wet floor signs when doing stripping and waxing,(especially around steps)

[Crowz]

Terrazo tile floors and wax? Never seen waxed.... always sealed. But then they have to be re-sealed every few years too. Had hardwood floors in my house in Reno & had them urithane finished. Lasted 3 years.

[ECBS Clean Team]

hey calimaids, I hate doing stairs myself. Using the "doodlebug" as mentioned is the best way. We figure the sq ft on the stairs & then double it ( yes they are a pain so we make it less painful by doubling the $$ ). Ask your supplier about finish for terrazo. I heard about "teraglaze" mentioned before. We did a laundry mat that was terrazo in the past & just used our finish & it seemed to go on just fine & looked very shiny!

[2Sisterz Janitorial]

Hey everyone,

Have a question Has anyone ever tried Basic H to strip floors? I was told it was a good stripper and less expensive. It is a Shaklee product.

Thanks,
Linda
AKA - LippysShadow

[rolex5]

how are you new member, I am Lou from Bio-Clean and would like to welcome you .

[monayuki]

Strip and Waxing VCT Tiles Prices in Maryland is from $0.26 - $0.37 per square Ft. varies Accordingly. If in other areas a phone call to Other Flooring Maintenance Company asking about Pricing will give you an exact Idea. I charge $0.30 and for Steps and Landing I charge $4 per Step and also Landings. Manually Scrubbing Steps steps is a good way or use Special Chem No Stripping Formula by Unitex. With Right Measurement this will do the Job on Steps.

Hope this Helps.

[Kevin]

Great Answer! You received a Karma Point!

[lexxi]

Hello Fellow Members..
I have a super great "Stripper" that will do the job in half the time & best of all, with no Machines..... its called "Strip-Ease" by ZEP.
You apply it at a ratio of 1 part Strip-Ease to 4 parts hot water. Spread the solution generously on the floor (in sections) allow to soak for 5-8 minutes... agitate with the mop and mop up then rinse 2 times using a neutral cleaner.
I did a strip & wax at one of my Dealerships this past Friday night & couldnt believe it. It only took me a half hour to do the whole back Service & Parts Department (stripping) and the floor came out better than when we previously used machines.
I was able to lay down 2 coats of Sealer in a half hour then 2 coats of Finish which took 1 hour each. I did this all alone too with no help... so this product is Amazing for the small company with few employees without having to spend hours doing this messy job.
The floor now looks like mirrored water.... never seen anything like it before. I will attempt to take pics of it to show you all.
Give it a try.... its no different than just mopping floors... (the smell is minimum but always use a mask).
Krys
KDM Janitorial Services
Northern Manitoba

[Kevin]

Going to have to give this a try, ill try a small area first and see. I really like the Zep products. To me the agitation and rotation of the machine is key though. We do alot of floors, I just dont think it can be used on large jobs. I might be putting my foot in my mouth. Full report coming soon .

[monayuki]

How Much for a Gallon of that. Coz I use Unitex Melt Down Stripper. Removed by Wet Vac or Just Mop. Price is $ 10.90/ Gallon.

With Buffing we Use Unitex SledgeHammer Stripper at $28.15 per 5 Gallon Pail. Easy to Use.

[lexxi]

The "Strip-Ease" by Zep costs around $90.00 Canadian for 20 Litres but you only need a quarter of a 10 Litre jug to do a 1500 Sq Ft area.... atleast thats all I used and the floor turned out Mirror Perfect !
This was by far, the easiest strip job I have ever done.........and I`m not looking back at that machine in my basement which is getting pretty cobby by now.....(lol)

[kim]

Has anyone else tried stip ease by Zep?
Kim

[kim]

Sorry, I ment Strip Ease by Zep.

[logan5127]

We have used several strippers. finally found one that usually works well on most floors. If you are stripping terrazzo floors there is probably a sealer on it. Sealers are usually a little harder to remove. All sales people will tell you how good their strippers are. They will say things like you just mop it on and mop it off. I would recomend you take at least 3 different ones with you on this job and try them all. A doodlebug pad may not be enough. Take some floor scrappers with new blades. You may have to hand scrape them as well. Use a flexible finish on terrazzo also. Some strippers work better in cold water. The hot water will actually cause some of the agents to evaporate out of the bucket and your stripper will become weak. I would also let stripper sit on steps for at least 15 minutes and agitate with mop or doodle bug in the middle of dwell time. PM me for some recomendations on brands of chemicals we have used.