Refinish and Restoration a Terrazzo Floor is a very stylish and durable natural stone floor, but if it has gotten dull over the years then it’s time for a refinish. Terrazzo is meant to shine and show off its vibrant colors and patterns, so having it dull and damaged is a huge waste of potential. Even homeowners that encounter old and damaged Terrazzo underneath their previous flooring can benefit greatly by having the Terrazzo restored and refinished. The first thing you want to do is clean the Terrazzo thoroughly with a pH-neutral cleaner. All-purpose cleaners or homemade solutions are dangerous to the Terrazzo and may cause stains and erosion due to their acidic nature. Terrazzo is very sensitive to acid, so the only specialized cleaner will do. Mix the cleaner with water as instructed and pick up as much dirt and grime as possible. Once done, mop up the remaining cleaning solution with a clean mop and don’t let the dirty cleaning solution dry.
From here, you can now use a floor stripper to remove wax or any coatings that cover your Terrazzo. If your Terrazzo floor polished and has no coatings, then no stripping is needed. It is important to exercise all safety measures when using floor strippers because of their harsh and caustic nature. Make sure to use gloves, goggles, and cover up your body as much as possible to avoid injuries. Follow the instructions carefully and refrain from using the floor stripper on anything that you don’t want to be damaged. Once the stripper is applied and the coating has dissolved, wipe it away with a mop and water. Make sure to change the water frequently and remove as much of the dissolved coating as you can. The Terrazzo should now be bare and any stains and scratches that were superficial should have been removed along with the coating.
If the stains and scratches are still visible, then you need to apply a poultice to the stains and buff or sand the area with the scratches. You can look up online what components are needed to create a poultice mixture for your stain or you can buy ones that are pre-made. For sanding down scratches, make sure to use sandpaper with small grit and be consistent but not too rough. Once all the damages are repaired, you can now terrazzo floor polish to your desired degree of shine with a high-speed electric floor buffer and keep it a low setting to avoid damaging the Terrazzo. Once finished, apply a high-quality sealer to help protect the Refinish and Restoration a Terrazzo Floor against stains and scratches. Apply the sealer evenly and avoid overlapping to prevent ridges and other inconsistencies. We never recommend topical coatings but for a higher-desired shine. If you wish to add a layer of wax or crystallizer, follow the instructions on the label and apply thin coats of wax while waiting for it to dry in between applications. Lastly, use the electronic buffer one more time for a shiny and glossy finish. With precaution and diligence, you can restore and resurface your Terrazzo to an excellent degree and make it look several years younger. Hiring professionals can deliver better results, but doing it yourself is a much more cost-effective option and can even deliver similar results if done correctly.