MAINTENANCE ADVICE FOR RUBBER FLOOR

CFS RUBBER FLOORING (STUDWAY) CLEANING & MAINTENANCE GUIDE

The superficial post vulcanization GT treatment provides to the rubber floor’s surface a lower porosity than in traditional rubber floors, thus enhancing their resistance to soiling and ease their cleanability.

For all those areas which are cleaned frequently and effectively by mechanical way with monobrush, the GT treatment makes no longer necessary the traditional coat of wax.

An effective passive dirt-barrier system, like matting and grids, is required to reduce the amount of dirt, grit and moisture in the areas where the flooring is installed.

After the laying is completed, protective sheets are to be laid on the floor covering to avoid unnecessary damage by heavy equipment, furniture, or any other work that will be completed after the floor installation.

Always fit protective soft feet to furniture, tables and chair legs to prevent scratching. Protective feet must have suitable size in order to spread the load on a larger surface.

INITIAL CLEANING AFTER THE INSTALLATION

Remove all loose debris, dust and any residual sand with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner. Pay attention to avoid to scrape the floor surface when sand and/or little pebbles are still on the floor.

Clean the floor covering by a mechanical action with a low speed monobrush equipped with light abrasive pad (red pad in the 3M) and neutral detergent or slightly alkaline depending on dirt. Rinse and wet vacuum several times till the surface is com- pletely dry and free from any residual of detergent.

In all those cases in which a high level of dirt is expected because of the floor covering’s use-destination or because of an

ineffective cleaning program, it is recommended to apply a polymeric emulsion sealer on the surface of the flooring; in such case the previous step is replaced by:

Clean the floor covering by a mechanical action with a low speed monobrush equipped with light abrasive pad (red or green pad in the 3M scale depending on dirt) and a suitable slightly alkaline detergent. Rinse and wet vacuum several times till the surface is completely dry and free from any residual of detergent.

With perfectly clean and dry floor, apply a film of polymer or polyuretane floor finish sealer following the manufacturer’s instruction (floor finishes and sealers are available with different grades of gloss).

In all above cases, if a glossy finish is required, right after the above operations spray with a suitable floor finish and burnish the flooring with a high-speed rotary machine equipped with white/cream pad.

DAILY CLEANING

Remove dust, dirt and stains from the floor.

Clean with soft brush, micro-fibre mops or vacuum cleaner. If necessary, use a neutral detergent diluted in water. Clean by a mechanical action with combined machined (red pad and neutral detergent) in larger areas and in all those situations which require a higher level of cleanliness.

Remove dirt marks and stains with a neutral or slightly alkaline detergent (diluted as per manufacturer’s instructions). After using detergents always rinse and wet vacuum several times till the surface is completely dry

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE

Complete the daily cleaning washing the floor with water and slightly alkaline detergent.

Clean the floor covering with a slightly alkaline detergent using a mop or a wash/vacuum combined machine equipped with red pad for larger areas. Rinse and wet vacuum several times till the surface is completely dry and free from any detergent’s

residuals.

It is also possible to carry out a periodic dry cleaning and maintenance program (spray buffing) using rotary machines equipped with appropriate pads and suitable floor finishes. Low speed machine with red pad for cleaning purposes (stains, marks, etc),

high-speed machine with white/cream pad for burnishing purposes.

When the standard cleaning operations are not sufficient to remove the dirt, it is recommended a deeper cleaning with a

slightly alkaline detergent and a low speed monobrush equipped with red or green pad. Rinse and wet vacuum several times till the surface is completely dry and free from any detergent’s residuals.

Suitable “wash and wax” products may be used for the routine maintenance; this type of product is able to clean and maintain the floor in one step, refreshing the film of polymer floor finish sealer (when applied) to enhance its aspect and durability.

RESTORING MAINTENANCE

To be carried out when the polymeric protective film layer is damaged and can not be maintained any longer with the above maintenance processes.

Scrub the floor covering with low speed monobrush equipped with abrasive pad (green disc in the 3M scale) and a suitable

degreasing detergent (stripper) diluted in hot water. Wet vacuum and rinse several times till the surface is completely dry and free from any residual of detergent. Make sure that the old polymer floor finish has been completely removed before

proceeding with the next step.

With perfectly clean and dry floor, apply a film of polymer floor finish sealer following the manufacturer’s instruction (floor finishes and sealers are available with different grades of gloss).

If a glossy finish is required, right after the above operations spray with a suitable floor finish and burnish the flooring with a high-speed rotary machine equipped with white/cream pad.

WARNING

Always use and dilute all cleaning products in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
All kind of cleaning processes shall not be carried out under direct sunlight in order to avoid that dirty liquid dries before being removed, thus causing spots and stains on the flooring.
The application of the initial polymer floor finish sealer is also recommended if the roll’s joints are hot-sealed by a welding rod (to prevent the quick soiling of the welding rod area).
Avoid to use very abrasive pads (blue, green, brown, black). The blue/green pad can be used only to remove the old layers of polish as described above.
Never leave liquid substances, including water, on the surface of the floor covering to avoid stains and to reduce the risk of slip- ping.
Chairs and/or furniture casters shall be equipped with light colour, double soft rubber wheels (type W according to the EN 12529.
After using detergents always rinse fully and wet vacuum several times to make sure the surface of the floor covering is com- pletely neutralized and dry.
The following products shall be avoided: high alkaline, acids, solvents of all kinds, and any other detergent not specifically tested on rubber flooring and approved as suitable.

Please contact customer.services@tradechoice.com if you require additional information about flooring maintenance.