How to Resurface Terrazzo Floors

Terrazzo flooring dates back to the Roman Empire, and its reputation for beauty and durability still lives on in many homes today. A mixture of marble and concrete, Terrazzo flooring is porous by nature and without the proper protection can be susceptible to damage brought on by dirt and staining. Resurfacing an older Terrazzo floor may be necessary to restore its beauty; a heavy duty wax stripper followed by a Terrazzo floor sealer will do the trick.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber gloves
• Buckets
• Cotton mops
• Heavy duty wax stripper
• Mild floor cleaner
• Scrub brush
• Commercial Terrazzo floor sealing product

1. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals that are being used to resurface the Terrazzo floor. Also consider wearing protective eye wear in cases of a splatter that can burn the eye area.

2. Remove any sealers that are presently covering the surface of the Terrazzo floor. To do this, use a heavy duty wax stripper. Dilute the wax stripper in a bucket as directed by the manufacturer, and apply it with a cotton mop.

3. Allow the wax stripper to work its magic by leaving it to soak on the surface of the Terrazzo floor for the recommended time established by the manufacturer.

4. Scrub any areas that have excess dirt or grease build up. While the wax stripper is soaking, use a scrub brush to lift dirt from stained areas.

5. Rinse the floor with a clean, cotton mop to remove the wax stripper from the Terrazzo floor. Follow up with a wet vacuum to remove any excess liquid or chemicals that are on the surface of the floor.

6. Apply a sealer to the surface of the Terrazzo floor. Commercial sealers are sold that are specifically designed to penetrate the porous surface of the Terrazzo, adding a layer of protection that will sustain high traffic and staining. Apply the sealer as directed by the manufacturer.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the Terrazzo floor regularly with a mild cleaner, diluted in water, and apply with a mop. Remove all dirt and residue by rinsing with a second clean mop. Sweep the Terrazzo floor daily to reduce the chances of dirt accumulation. A traditional broom and dustpan is all that is necessary to remove surface dirt. Use Terrazzo products to clean the floor. Terrazzo floor products are specifically designed to maintain the beauty of your floor.
• Do not use ordinary floor waxes on a Terrazzo floor. Kitchen floor waxes will leave a temporary shine, but will maintain a slippery surface that will form a build up on the Terrazzo that will eventually need to be removed. Simple mopping will maintain the shine of a Terrazzo floor without adding an additional floor wax.

Resources

• Products designed to clean and maintain a Terrazzo floor can be found at Fritz Tile.