DIY Terrazzo Restoration Services Fort Lauderdale
Terrazzo is a natural stone made up of some marble chips and cement. Numerous house owners are choosing this kind of stone for their floors. However, this type of floor is sensitive to some cleaners and chemicals. When a wrong solution is applied, it can actually alter colors in the areas that were treated. Terrazzo restoration is generally done by means of special big floor sanders as well as waxing machinery to effectively remove any flaw or damage on the terrazzo floor.
During the Venetian Period, ancient types of floor were created by stone masons from used chips of marble. They floated marble chips on top of a layer of clay or concrete forming a kind of mosaic. The present terrazzo trend also uses glass chips so that the terrazzo floors appear in many colors. Nevertheless, due to time and years, the terrazzo floors might need some restoration.
Follow the DIY steps for restoring Terrazzo:
Step 1 – Prepare the area. First, you need to prepare the area you plan to restore by removing every object from the floor including: carpet, tiling or wood that have been installed over the years. Utilize a dremel tool to help remove the adhesive. You have to clear furniture and any debris present on the area. Tape and place waterproof covering along the walls that is in contact with the terrazzo floor. Rent a surface grinder including a hose attachment to connect with the tap or you can fill the room to be restored with an inch of water.
Step 2 – Clean the area. A cemented-base terrazzo floor can be installed with the surface grinder. Turn on the grinder and slowly move it from the surface. Notice that water gets muddy but continue grinding until the entire floor is covered. The vacuum cleaner will remove the muddy water until the surface looks visibly cleaner and the surface looks more detailed. When the result is satisfactory, you can switch the medium grit while making a pass. Use water to clean. Vacuum and repeat the process using a fine grid. To reach tighter places, use the dremel and the angle grinder with attachment.
Step 3 – Patch the voids. Holes left by carpets, nails or screws or carpet are filled with thinly-set mortar. The mortar can be smoothed by the grinder once it is dry.
Step 4 – Polish the Terrazzo floor. This last step is intended to give the floor the fresh shiny appearance it had when first installed. This time, apply the 800 grit polishing powder to the floor and use the buffer to work it into the terrazzo surface. Multitask as you polish, rinse the surface with water then suck it up with the vacuum. Do the procedure again with the 1500 grit powder followed by 2000 grit. Dry the area with a towel before applying the sealer.
Do it yourself Terrazzo restoration is a great way to save money. However, you have to acquire some skills to get the job done well. If the task is beyond your ability, you can always seek the service of a professional.