Care and maintenance of terrazzo
There are three types of binders used to anchor the marble chips or other aggregate that appear in your terrazzo products. One is a Portland Cement type of product, the second product is referred to as a Polyacrylic, a modified Portland Cement that includes an acrylic additive. The third being an Epoxy or Polyester system, often referred to as a resinous thin-set system. Although each system has the role of anchoring the aggregate into a hard composition once the topping has been placed, the treatment of each does vary.
Terrazzo are known to have ease of maintenance, but it should NOT be interpreted that NO CARE IS REQUIRED. Once you understand the care requirements in the early stages of a new terrazzo item, you not only avoid possible problems, you will soon recognize the economy of care and the aesthetic values of this product.
Maintenance precautions:
Harsh cleaners and sealers can damage terrazzo; thus, only materials that are known to be neutral with a pH Factor between 7 and 10 should be used when scrubbing or mopping your floors. Avoid all-purpose cleaners or soaps containing water soluble inorganic or crystallizing salts, harmful alkali or acids. These materials could prove harmful to your terrazzo. Sweeping compounds contain oil which is not only a fire hazard, but will penetrate and could permanently discolor your floor. Many of these compounds contain sand which is hard to sweep and could abrade your floor if not removed.
Portland cement-type terrazzo
The terrazzo surface has a minimum of 70% density of marble chip surface exposure. The marble chips have a very low porosity of absorption, thus the portion of this floor system that needs protection is the Portland Cement binder that has 30% or less of surface exposure. This is why our specification required a penetrating solvent type sealer be applied to this surface immediately following the final polishing, helping to inhibit the penetration of spilled materials upon initial contact with the terrazzo. However, spills must be cleaned up immediately in order to prevent stains caused by repeated or long term exposure. This seals off the minute pores in the binder. Internal protection has been achieved, but since it is a penetrating liquid material, it is not expected to produce a sheen to the terrazzo surface.
A new Portland Cement terrazzo surface initially may appear to be mottled in color, especially in darker colors. This is the normal characteristic of this product, as it is going through the curing process. This blotchy appearance will gradually disappear as you maintain your terrazzo while the curing cycle runs its course.
Cleaning procedures
Neutral cleaners are designed to react only if solution of clean water and cleaner, mixed in accordance to the manufacturer instructions, is allowed to remain on the terrazzo surface for several minutes. This provides the time necessary for the grime dissolving action to take place, before removing the dirt-laden solution from the surface by squeegee, vacuum, or mopping. Rinse with ample clean water. It is important to keep the terrazzo wet during this entire cleaning process so the dirt does not reabsorb in the terrazzo.
There is another process that would produce a sheen without the application of sealers. As you clean your terrazzo with the neutral cleaner/water solution, your final mop-up picks up the majority of this cleaner, but still some remains on the surface. After several such procedures, the residue of cleaner will become buffable and result in a sheen by buffing after each washing. This method of achieving a sheen never requires the stripping action, thus, reducing your maintenance costs.
Helpful tips for terrazzo maintenance:
Your terrazzo has a minimum of 70% marble chip density on the surface. It has been ground and polished and sealed with a penetrating solvent-based terrazzo sealer. This protects your surface from stains, but it is essential that no spillage should be ignored and allowed to soak and dry into the terrazzo. Good housekeeping procedures require that your terrazzo remain clean. With proper maintenance procedures, your terrazzo should give you ease of maintenance and a lifetime of performance, not to mention the aesthetics.
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Summary:
Terrazzo are known to have ease of maintenance, but it should not be interpreted that no care is required. Once you understand the care requirements in the early stages of a new terrazzo item, you not only avoid possible problems, you will soon recognize the economy of care and the aesthetic values of this product.