Products Care
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Maintainence Guide Hardwood & Laminate | Maintainence Guide for Stain Removal | Identification of Hard Surfaces | Maintainence of Hard Surfaces Hardwood and laminate maintainence and care Regularly sweep or vacuum the floor to prevent sand or abrasive dust from accumulating and scratching the finish. Always vacuum or sweep the floor before using the floor cleaner. Spray a small amount of floor cleaner on the mop or floor. Wipe the floor using a back-and-forth motion along the length of the strips. Be carfill not to use too much cleaner, spray the mop so that it is just damp. We recommend Woodpecker Products. Place doormats outside and rugs inside at every entrance of the house, again to prevent sand or abrasive dust from accumulating on the floor. Place a rug in front of the kitchen sink, kitchen working stations and the dishwasher to protect the floor from dropped kitchen accessories and from water or oily detergent spills. Use adequate floor protection (felt pads) under all the furniture legs, in order to ease their movements and to prevent scratching the floor. Keep 'high heel' shoes in good condition. Damaged or worn high heels may expose a metal tip which will certainly damage hardwood floor. The relative humidity level in your home must be maintained at 45% (i.e 40-50%) throughout the year.You may have to use a humidifier or de-humidifier to accomplish this. Tile maintainence and care Maintenance Guide for Stain Removal - General Stains should be treated as soon as possible, as they become more difficult to remove when they have dried. But, no one should attempt to remove stains unless he knows what the stain is and why a certain type of remover is being used. Only as a last resort should chemicals be used to remove stains. Stain removers either dissolve the substance that causes the stain, absorb the stain; or act as a bleaching agent. Thus stain removers fall into three general classes. Solvents such as mineral spirits, xylene, or chlorinated solvents which dissolve grease, chewing gum, lipstick, etc. Absorbents such as chalk, talcum powder, blotting paper or cotton, which absorb fresh grease or moist stains. Bleaches such as household ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid or lemon juice, which discolour stains. In removing stains with chemicals, directions should be carefully followed. For example, when the procedure specifies treatment with a solvent before cleaning, it may be that if this was reversed, the alkali in the soap would set the stain and make it impossible to remove. CAUTION: TSP and lime are corrosive. Use rubber gloves. Wash skin that has had contact with this material immediately. Appreciate the importance of knowing the surface to be treated and the nature of the stain before trying to remove it. The maintenance staff should ask these questions:
CAUTION: The treatments recommended herein for stain removal should be used by trained and experienced personnel. Improper use may result in bleaching the grout, if a colour dye had been added. Always perform a test in an inconspicuous area first to determine the results. Maintenance Guide for Stain Removal Ink Stains Different inks require different treatments. Ordinary writing inks may etch concrete due to acid content. To remove a stain of this type, mix a solution of sodium perborate in hot water and add whiting, mix a thick paste, apply in 6.3 mm (1/4') layer, and leave until dry. If some of the blue colour is visible after poultice is removed, repeat. Sodium perborate may be obtained from a druggist. CAUTION: Sodium perborate may cause skin irritation. Use rubber gloves and wash affected areas with water immediately. Many red, green, violet and other bright coloured inks are water solutions of synthetic dyes. The sodium perborate poultice described above can usually remove stains made by this type of ink. Often the stain can be removed by applying ammonia water, or mixed to a paste with whiting and applied as a poultice. A mixture of equal parts of chlorinated lime and whiting reduced to a paste with water may also be used as a poulticing material. Some blue ink contains Prussian blue, a ferrocyanide of iron. These stains cannot be removed by the perborate poultice, Javelle (Calcium or Sodium Hypochlorite) water, or chlorinated lime poultice. Such stains yield to treatment of ammonia water applied on a layer of cotton batting. Strong soap solution applied the same way may also be effective. Indelible ink often consists entirely of synthetic dyes. Stains may be treated as outlined above for that type. However, some indelible ink contains silver salts, which cause a black stain. This may be removed with ammonia water applied by bandage. Lubricating Oil Lubrication oil may penetrate concrete and portland cement readily. It should be mopped off immediately, covering the spot with Fuller's earth or dry powdered material such as hydrated lime, whiting or dry portland cement. If treated soon enough, there will be no stain. However, when the oil has remained for some time, other methods will be necessary. Saturate white Canton flannel in a mixture of equal parts of acetone and amyl acetate and place over stain. Cover with slab of concrete or pane of glass. If stain is on a vertical surface, improvise means to hold cloth and covering place. Keep the cloth saturated until the stain is removed. If the solvent tends to spread the stain, a larger cloth should be used. Covering saturated cloth with glass drives the stain into the concrete, while dry slab of concrete draws some oil into it. Scrubbing with mineral spirits or other organic solvents will often remove oil stains. Caution should be taken when using organic solvents as inhalation of the vapour and prolonged skin contact with the liquid may lead to unpleasant health effects. Tobacco Stains The following formula is usually effective: dissolve 900-g (2 lbs.) of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) crystals in 4.5 L (1 gal.) hot water. Mix 340 g (12 ounces) of chlorinated lime to a paste in a shallow enameled pan by adding water slowly and mashing the lumps. Pour this and the tri-sodium phosphate solution into a 9L (2-gal) stoneware jar and add water until full. Stir well, cover the jar, and allow time to settle, To use, add some of the liquid to powered talc until thick paste is obtained. Apply with trowel as a 6.3mm (1/4') poultice. To apply with a brush, add about one teaspoon of sugar to each 454g (1 lb.) of powdered talc. When dry, scrape off with wooden paddle or trowel. This mixture is a strong bleaching agent and is corrosive to metals. Care should be taken not to drop it on colored fabrics or metal fixtures. This method is valuable for treating other stains. Tri-sodium phosphate may be purchased at drug stores; chemical supply or laundry supplies houses. If the stain is not bad, grit scrubbing powders, commonly used on terrazzo, tile and marble floors are satisfactory as poulticing material. Stir powder into hot water until mortar consistency is obtained. Mix thoroughly, then apply to stained surface in a 12.5-mm (1/2') layer. Leave until dry. In most cases, two or more applications will be necessary. Coffee Stains Coffee stains can be removed by applying a cloth saturated in glyerine diluted with four times its volume of water. Javelle water, or the solution used on iron stains, is also effective. Iodine Stains An iodine stain will gradually disappear of its own accord. It may be removed quickly by applying alcohol and covering with whiting or talcum. If on a vertical wall, mix talcum to paste with alcohol. Apply some alcohol to the stain, then cover with paste. Blood Stains Bloodstains can be removed by the following method. Apply solution of cold water and tri-sodium-phosphate (TSP) crystals. Agitate with stiff scrubbing brush or nylon scouring pad. Rinse with clear, cool water. Dry with clean cloth pad or paper towel. Chewing Gum Chewing gum can be removed by the following method. Apply ice to harden gum. Scrape off with putty knife or razor blade. Remove remaining traces by scrubbing with nylon scouring pad saturated with trichloroethylene. Caution should be used when using trichloroethylene as inhalation of the vapour and prolonged skin contact with the liquid may lead to unpleasant health effects. Grease Method for removal of grease, fat, butter, salad dressing or milk varies with the conditions. Two methods are recommended. Identification of Hard Surfaces Terrazzo, Tile, Marble, Granite and Slate Terrazzo Terrazzo is a type of flooring using a portland cement matrix composed of marble or granite chips, portland cement and water, to which colour pigment may be added. Other types of Terrazzo are available, e.g. epoxy matrix terrazzo polyacrylate terrazzo and epoxy bonded. Maintenance procedures on such products should be checked with the manufacturer. Terrazzo does not need protection from wear; it needs protection from absorption. That is why water based seal or impregnator should be applied soon after polishing. This absorbed into the cement matrix, sealing of its pores. It is important that the terrazzo is cleaned before the sealer is applied. New terrazzo floors should be cleaned only with a neutral pH cleaner. Following this original cleaning allow the surface to dry, then apply the seal immediately. Finish as specified in this manual. Ceramic Tile Since these maintenance recommendations relate to specific types of ceramic tile floors and walls, the following descriptions can be used to identify the particular tiles used on a project, or existing tile, these tiles have been classified in accordance with the CGSB National Standard CAN/CGSB-75.1M88 for ceramic floor and wall tile and trim units. Porcelain Tile Porcelain tile is a ceramic tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from a composition which results in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tile is available in mat, unglazed or a high polished finish. Water absorption: ASTM C373. Manufactured in various thickness and sizes. Quarry Tile A glazed or unglazed tile made by the extrusion process from natural clay or shale. This tile is most common in the dark red shades; however, shades of brown and gray are also available. Terracotta This tile is generally hand made and varies in colour, texture and appearance. The tile is available in various shapes and sizes. The tile may come pre-finished or require the application of various types of sealers or coatings on site to provide a wearing surface. Terrazzo Tile Pre-manufactured consisting of marble or granite chips in a portland cement or epoxy matrix in various thickness's and sizes. Agglomerate Tile Agglomerate tiles are manufactured by mixing graded marble or granite chips of various sizes with portland cement, polyester resin or epoxy. Thickness may vary from 6mm to 20mm and may be ordered in other thicknesses to meet specifications. Approximate water absorption, 24-hour immersion, and % 0.19 ASTM D570-81 modified but will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Marble Marble is limestone that has crystallized naturally over a period of time. Marble is classified into four groups, Groups A, B, C, and D. These are broad classifications and relate only to soundness and working qualities. However, for the purpose of this maintenance guide marble has been classified as exterior or interior maintenance of marble. The test used for water absorption is ASTM C97. Marble is cut into blocks, slabs or tile in various thickness and sizes. Marble flooring is very sensitive to acids and alkalis and can be stained if spills are not wiped up immediately. If marble flooring is installed in an area where staining liquids are liable to cause problems, then the flooring should be sealed and finish applied. Travertine Travertine is limestone that has been formed over a long period of time. The product is porous with many visible holes. It is available in colours ranging from ivory to golden brown. The holes and cavities may be filled with matching portland cement, coloured epoxy, or polyester resins. Granite Granite is a very hard crystalline, igneous rock that is available in a vast range of colour, texture and mineral composition. Granite is available in the following finishes: polished, honed, fine rubbed, thermal flame finished, and can take a sand blasted coarse or fine stippled finish. ASTM C97 - Absorption by weight 0.4% max. Slate Slate is a split stone and is one of the world's oldest natural products. Slate is available in various colours. Some shades will change colour on exterior use; therefore a non-fading shade should be specified for exterior applications. Water absorption of slate in accordance with ASTM C121. Maintenance Guide for Hard Floor Surfaces Terrazzo, Tile, Marble, Granite and Slate Treating New Installations Dust Removal and Wet Cleaning Sealing Finishing Recommended Care and Maintenance Daily maintenance Periodic Maintenance Reconditioning Glazed Tile Sealer or floor finish is not required on this type of tile with epoxy or polymer modified grouts. Portland cement grouts may require a sealer. Follow manufacturer's recommended procedures to apply sealer to portland cement grouted glazed tile floors. Slate Follow directions as specified in item A.1. Following the rinse inspect the floor, should there be a milky film evident use a 5% solution of phosphoric or sulphamic acid to clean the floor. Follow this by neutralizing the surface by rinsing the floor thoroughly with clean water. When the surface is dry, apply a coat of seal or silicone impregnator following the manufacturer's recommendations. For preventive maintenance an entrance mat is the most basic requirement. It is important to follow manufacturer's strict written instructions. |