Floor History Back to top

Know the history of the floor.

1. Has the floor been previously ground and polished?
• If “NO”, then a Full Restoration is required before starting any other maintenance program.
• If “YES”, the maintenance program cycle will work.


2. Has the floor been densified?
• An undensified floor may result in excessive diamond/pad wear and stock removal. This may result in additional project costs.


3. Has PowerStar Top Shield or similar products been applied?
• If “YES”, be cautious during Light Restoration efforts to prevent removal.

Project Scope Back to top

Understand the scope of the PROJECT.

1. How many square feet (meters) is in the area to be maintained?
2. Does the floor have distinct traffic patterns?
• If “YES”, then those areas may require more aggressive grinding/polishing and/or additional PowerStarTop Shield.


3. Does the floor have deep scratches, cracks, trowel marks, stains, or rough areas?
• If “YES”, then Full Restoration may be required. Light Restoration will remove the small scratches that occur due to normal traffic. Deep scratches require more aggressive treatment.

Facility Restrictions Back to top

Know the restrictions in the FACILITY.

1. Are propane powered machines permitted?
• If “NO”, make sure adequate battery or electric equipment is available.
• If “YES”, understand the restrictions or specific requirements for propane use.


2. Is the facility “locked-down” after business hours?
• If “YES”, ensure all necessary supplies are present before doors are locked and alarms are set.


3. Is there a stocking crew?
• If “YES”, coordinate all activities with their stocking schedule.

Property Details Back to top

Note important aspects of the PROPERTY.

1. Where can scrubber waste water be disposed?
• Dump waste water in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations.


2. Can equipment remain on-site?
• If “YES”, where should it be positioned?


3. Where are the electric outlets located for charging battery units?
• Make sure outlets are dedicated circuits.

Desired Floor Aesthetics Back to top

Determine the desired FLOOR AESTHETICS.

1. Does the floor need to maintain a specific gloss level?
• If “YES”, what are the expectations?
• If “NO”, use a test area to determine the desired effect before starting the project.


2. Does the floor require a water shield treatment?
• If “YES”, PowerStar Top Shield must be used on the project.


3. Determine the affects of maintenance or restoration on scratches, cracks, stains and rough areas.
• Use a test area to determine how different levels of surface wear are affected by the four programs.

Current Floor Conditions Back to top

Know the FLOOR CONDITION.

1. Are there floor stickers or other painted surfaces?
• If possible, remove floor stickers. Understand the expectations of maintaining any painted area.


2. Are there obstacles or obstructions that need to be avoided.
• Drains, floor bolts, depressions, and other obstacles above or below the floor surface should be noted.


3. Are there areas of dye, stains or etched surfaces?
• Be sure to test all processes in an inconspicuous area to understand the effects of the procedures on these areas.

Polished Hard Floors Back to top

Understand all aspects of POLISHED CONCRETE.

1. Polishing a concrete floor is like sanding wood.
• Rough wood requires the use of low grit sand paper (60-100) to smooth the surface and gradually, increasing the grit to achieve higher levels of smoothness (100-3500).


2. Grit numbers work similarly for concrete floor polishing.
• The flooring professional must determine the current state of the floor and choose the appropriate polishing pad for the initial pass.


3. Subsequent passes of increasingly higher grit pads will gradually smooth the surface and increase its gloss.

Floor Gloss Back to top

Understand important aspects of FLOOR GLOSS.

1. When the desired floor gloss level is achieved, using higher grit levels is not needed.
• Grit numbers and gloss levels should be noted for future reference.


2. Applying PowerStar Top Shield surface protection can increase a gloss meter reading by almost ten points.
3. Multiple gloss meter readings should be taken before and after each polishing step.
• Keep a detailed log of gloss meter readings by recording the reading, location and when it was taken.