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Maintenance FAQs

What causes floor polish to powder off the flooring surface?

Powdering is the partial or total disintegration of the polish film resulting in a fine, light-colored material. Possible causes are acrylic-type polish applied over wax-type polishes; floor not thoroughly rinsed after stripping; dirty mops used to apply polish; surface of polish force-dried; inadequate grit and soil control (no walk-off mats); mismatched polish and machine speed; floor pad too abrasive; room temperature too hot or too cold or humidity too high or too low or excessive alkaline moisture permeating through tile from subfloor. To correct the problem, follow stripping recommendations for the specific flooring.

What causes streaks in floor polish?

Possible causes of streaks can be too much or too little floor polish applied in one coat; dirty mop used to apply polish; inadequate drying time or alkaline residue on the floor. Follow recommendations for stripping or heavy cleaning, and then follow recommended procedure for preparation for commercial traffic.

What causes rapid black marking on flooring?

Possible causes of rapid black marking are little or no protective polish; polish and/or cleaner too high in pH; polish and/or cleaner too aggressive or floor polish too soft. To correct, follow recommendations for stripping and/or heavy cleaning. Follow with preparation for commercial traffic, following recommended procedures.

What can cause scratch whitening?

Possible causes of scratch whitening are too aggressive of a floor pad or brush (such as brown or black); dark floors used in high-traffic areas and not adequately maintained or dark floors enhance contrast between the floor and normal white scratches.

What can cause bleeding of brightly colored vinyl composition tile?

Possible causes are too little floor polish; cleaning/stripping solutions too aggressive or colored pigments removed by abrasion from coarse stripping or scrubbing pads. Following the recommended maintenance procedures will prevent the problem.

How long after an installation should a floor be protected from rolling loads?

Newly installed commercial flooring should not be exposed to routine rolling load traffic (carts, lifters, etc.) for at least 72 hours after installation to allow setting and drying of adhesives. If rolling loads cannot be avoided, protect the installation for 72 hours after installation by covering with wood panels.

Do our polishes conform to the National Volatile Organic Compound Emissions Standard?

There is a National Volatile Organic Compound Emissions Standard for consumer products that went into effect on December 10, 1998. (Institutional is included in their definition of consumer products.) In that regulation there is a maximum VOC content limit (weight percent limit) of 7% for floor polishes for flexible flooring products; of 10% for polishes for nonresilient flooring; and 90% for wood floor wax. Our products do conform to that regulation, and we are registered with the EPA Region 3.

How to remove tar from surface of flooring?

Use mineral spirits, charcoal lighter fluid or turpentine on a clean white cloth. Blot or rub the stain (keep the tar isolated to one small area by not rubbing wider than the original area). Change the cloth area frequently. Rinse with warm water. For residential sheet and tile: avoid the area for 30 minutes. Commercial sheet (linoleum, inlaid and homogeneous only) tile (VCT and SDT only): if there is a slight yellow cast remaining because the color has absorbed into the commercial product, use a green pad to scrub the area with stripping solution, and then polish as recommended.

Furniture is sticking to the floor. What can cause this to happen?

Furniture sticking is normally caused by the following conditions: Furniture replaced too soon after polishing; furniture left in place while polish was applied; floor not properly rinsed; sealer/polish not compatible; polish not properly cured/dried (floor temperature too low, high humidity, recoated too quickly, building closed up with no air circulation, dew point too high, contaminated mops or finishes); slow drying polish formulations; furniture rests have something on them (not clean); excess moisture from damp mopping. Some possible solutions include: Only apply polish when drying conditions are right; use brand-name products; clean furniture rests as needed; test for dryness. Tip - to release struck furniture, tap the legs near to the floor, hitting firmly in a horizontal direction. Be sure to protect legs to avoid scratching or marring. Do not attempt to lift furniture straight up before loosening.

What is antioxidant staining in vinyl floors?

Armstrong's vinyl floors have been formulated to be very stain resistant to most reagents and traffic. Certain compounds added to rubber can discolor a vinyl floor when in contact with it. These chemical compounds, referred to as antioxidants, are formulated into rubber materials to extend the life of the rubber and prevent brittleness. Some antioxidants react chemically with ingredients (plasticizers) in flexible vinyl to produce a yellowish stain. This is referred to in the vinyl industry as "antioxidant staining." Any source of rubber containing these antioxidants in contact with the floor could produce this staining. Certain types of rubber mats, rubber-backed rugs, and rubber wheels on carts, can cause this discoloration. To avoid this problem, insure that the mats and wheels which will be in contact with the vinyl floor are of the "non-staining" type of rubber.

Are maintenance protocols different between Safety Zone Slip Retardant Sheet and Safety Zone Tile?

Yes. Safety Zone Slip Retardant Sheet is a low-maintenance solution. No sealing, buffing, stripping, polishing, or restorative maintenance is required. In fact, polish should not be used on Safety Zone Slip Retardant Sheet in order to retain its safety features.

Initial maintenance is quick and easy for Safety Zone Tile. Afterwards, polish and restorative maintenance are recommended.