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It cannot be denied that the many advantages of installing terrazzo tile floors are installed in your home. They are durable, super versatile and are SOW like floors. But that does not mean that after a while they don't become a little boring and grubby. Dirt will build up at some point. Signs of wear will inevitably appear. In such cases, their floors may need more than just to restore their shine. We have typed Irakli Khizanghvili, CEO and owner of Proslit Tile & Stone, for expert advice. He gave us kindly led us how to bring a terrazzo tile floor back to life and explained the process, which “contains a combination of mechanical grinding, polishing and sealing”.
It may sound like a lot of work, but the end result should take long enough to justify the effort. “A properly restored terrazzo floor can take 15 to 25 years or more with the basic maintenance,” said the tile professional in an exclusive interview with House Digest. Of course, factors such as the amount of foot traffic and its cleaning habits have an impact on the lifespan. However, the expert added that “Terrazzo is a low -maintenance, long -lasting material if it is treated correctly”.
The step-by-step process to restore terrazzo floors
Khizanghvili recommended that to carry out a small test before treating the entire surface. In this way you can see if you like the result. “Start with a deep clean to remove surface grime, wax or coatings,” said the expert exclusively to House Digest. “A pH-neutral cleaner and peeling pad is usually sufficient.” Don't you have the right product to take care of your Terrazzo floor? Something like the ZEP-Neutral-PH all-purpose floor cleaner. When cleaning noticeable damage, including cracks, holes, chips and other imperfections. “Fill chips or cracks with color-matching epoxy or resin-base terrazzo filling material,” suggested Khizanghvili.
If your Terrazzo tile floors are still intact, skip directly to grind. “Use a Planetary Floor Mühle with increasingly finer diamond baths to remove the damaged top layer and reveal fresh terrazzo,” said Khizanghvili. (PSST: Since you probably do not have this bulky machine at hand, you can rent one at your local device and tool rental company.) “After the spear with increasingly fine grains (often up to 1500 or 3000 grit), depending on [your] Preference. “
Top everything with a penetrating seal, such as the miracle seal 511 impregnator sealing. It not only has the floor breathing, but also offers protection against water damage and stains. And finally the expert recommended that you “get ready with a polishing powder and [a] High-speed borders to maximize the shine. “Khizanghvili noticed that this last step is optional.
Frequent mistakes that make people restoring an outdated terrazzo tile floor
Since not everyone is of course at Terrazzo Tile, we also asked Khizanghvili what I shouldn't do if we revive these tile floors. There is a large omission for grinding. “Some assume that the sole cleaning and sealing is sufficient, but without mechanical grinding they will not remove any scratches or discoloration,” the tile and stone expert revealed during his interview with House Digest. Worse, some people don't even clean their floors before applying the protective sealer. This is a recipe for unsightly spots and fast peeling.
Remember that the use of the wrong cleaning staff can be as harmful as not to clean at all. Avoid the big mistake that everyone makes when cleaning Terrazzo floor coverings by steering everything that is abrasive or acidic. According to Khizanghvili, “they can etch the surface or react with the stone matrix.” And if it is time to repair holes and cracks, do not ignore the terrazzo filler. This ensures that the end result looks professional, not stained.
Sounds overwhelming? You can always consult a specialist to lighten the cargo, especially if you have to do considerable damage. “When the floor has deep scratches, stains or uneven wear, it is best to have aligned a professional with industrial grinding,” advised Khizanghvili. “If you are not familiar with sealing or concern about aesthetics, a specialist can help ensure a consistent finish that brings the ground back to life,” he added. If you set a professional, don't forget to tell you whether you want a mat or a satin gloss because the process is something different for everyone.