Page 16 - School Planning & Management, June 2019

FACILITIES FLOORS NEED SPECIAL CARE
Even the best carpets get to a point where deep cleaning is re- quired. Expertise and quality equipment and processes are needed to do this properly. They should spot clean first, using appropriate methods and products for the type of stain and fiber. Vacuuming or pile-lifting comes next, because removing dry soil and separat- ing pile produces better results, faster. Hot water extraction is best for cleaning as this is usually the most effective method recom- mended by carpet manufacturers. The process includes pre-spray- ing with detergent, applying water under pressure and extracting water with a heavy vacuum. Air blowers should be used if needed for drying, and then the nap should be set.
Hard surface floors cover a plethora of materials and meth- ods when it comes to periodic or restorative maintenance. These include, resilient floors (vinyl, rubber, Vinyl composition, luxury vinyl, no finish vinyl, vinyl asbestos, linoleum, polyester, wood, etc.) and non-resilient floors to include (stone, terrazzo, ceramics, porcelain, concrete, epoxy, etc.)
Each of these surfaces requires a certain level of periodic or restorative care and each varies based on traffic and soil load. No carpet or hard surface floor can be put onto a calendar for a must do periodic or restorative process. It is all based on the evaluation of soil load, the existing wear and condition of that floor at that particular point in time.
Superior preventive and routine maintenance process, weather conditions, and building usage can increase or decrease the length of time between needed periodic maintenance processes. This can only be done with expertise in the area of the flooring materials and evaluating the condition of the floor.
Stone: Though stone is quite indestructible, it is still suscep- tible to stains, scratches, cracks and other damage from normal wear, the environment and improper cleaning. Luckily, stone floors can usually be returned to their natural beauty, and it typi- cally costs less to properly maintain than to replace them. Let an experienced professional look at your situation and recommend how to renew your stone. The process might involve cleaning; grinding, sanding, honing and/or polishing; buffing; sealing; stain and scratch removal, repairing, resetting or replacing tiles; and re-grouting.
Some resilient and non-resilient surfaces are maintained with a coating or finish, that either needs to have small layers of the coating removed and additional coats added, or these coatings needs to be completely removed due to scratches or staining that require total restoration or removal and a reapplication of the protective coatings. The professional evaluation is what deter- mines what level of care is required to bring back the quality look of the coated surface.
Flooring today, has changed dramatically in its technology with claims of sustainability and durability that require a special knowledge of chemistry and processes to maintain. Flooring manufacturers are claiming low maintenance, reduced mainte-
nance, maintenance free, and no coating required. It requires a unique expertise to sort through the manufacturers’ claims and consult on the materials that truly represent a low maintenance flooring product, reducing overall maintenance cost while provid- ing an aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting floor.
Wood and/or gym surfaces require special products and proce- dures particularly when it comes to periodic care. Special brushes, buffers, pads or discs can be used to clean, and remove coatings. Once repaired, sanded, re-stained, and coated with a protective finish, the wood will look and perform like it did when it was new. A well-maintained floor will perform better for athletes, while impressing spectators and visitors.
1. Improve Your Image: We’ve all seen the difference between a dirty carpet and a freshly cleaned one or a scratched floor and a refinished one. Wow, right? Refreshed floors and carpets go a long way in improving the aesthetic of your space.
Whether you have stone, wood, laminate, carpeting or other flooring material, is it stained, scratched, shoe-marked, worn, dull, cracked? You might not even realize how bad it has become. But with the right preventive, routine, periodic or restorative methods, the existing flooring can often be preserved and renewed for far less cost than replacing.
2. Accident/Illness Prevention: Taking a close look at your exterior and interior floors and stairs, you may find areas that need maintenance or repair, such as uneven tiles, torn or rippled car- pets, or broken pieces that could be dislodged. In addition, mold and mildew in carpeting can cause illness. All of these pose safety risks that should be addressed...and could go unnoticed without the extra attention paid during a deep cleaning.
3. Extend Floor Life: Proper preventive, routine, periodic/restor- ative maintenance of floors can extend flooring material life and, thereby, save money in the long run.
A well-maintained floor will perform better for athletes, while impressing spectators and visitors.
Beauty Takes Effort but Pays Off
Specialty cleaning and restoration is a science and an art. It requires a service provider that uses the most effective techniques, along with sustainable practices and products, to ensure the best results on your specific materials and finishes.
Taking care of your carpets and floors protects your invest- ment, your image, and anyone stepping foot into your facility. SPM
>>Gordon Buntrock is national director of Service Delivery for education services at ABM and has more than 40 years of experience in the facility services industry. For more information on ABM’s education facility services, visit www.abm.com/education.
16 SCHOOL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / JUNE 2019
WEBSPM.COM