What’s the difference and why is it important?
As floor surfaces are used, they become worn by abrasion, soil, and moisture. Depending on the surface and its suitability to the space, routine maintenance may be required occasionally or often to avoid costly restoration and loss of productivity (in some cases depending on the damage).
Why does this matter? To fully protect your investment, it helps to understand the differences between what defines “maintenance” and “restoration”.
| Floor Maintenance | Floor Restoration |
|---|---|
| Remove soil buildup and strengthen the surface with the appropriate product that resists soil and/or scratches and scuffs. | Remove soil buildup and a micro layer of the finish. |
| The finished surface’s appearance should reflect the same as it did prior to the process. The surface is clean, but the substrate has not been removed or stripped. | The surface’s appearance will look different than it did prior to the process. The surface must be stripped to remove any abrasions and then polished back to its original finish. |
| Maintenance might be expensive at first, but if recurring, ongoing maintenance expense is minimal long term and significantly reduces the need for future restoration. | Restoration is a one-time, more expensive process because the work requires complete removal of the surface and depends on skill and precision that takes time. Costs can vary based on the level of neglect and floor damage. |
Proactive Floor Maintenance is Essential…
A polished floor must be maintained to avoid damage to the finish. Appropriate methods include daily washing, sweeping, and/or de-greasing. Damage prevention approaches include:
- Entry walk-off mats
- Rubber tires instead of hard urethane to reduce traffic wear
- Managing chemical use in areas that could damage the floor finish
Ultimately, restoration work will be less likely if preventive measures are consistently and routinely performed and are worth the time and money to protect your investment.
When Restoration is Necessary…
A finished floor that has not been maintained will need restoration if the original finish is desired and replacing the floor surface isn’t viable. Restoration is broken down into two categories to initially prepare the surface:
- Micro-surface removal — using deep-cleaning, diamond-impregnated pads
- Macro-surface removal — using mechanical abrasion or chemical abrasion
This work is done by skilled, properly trained Kansas City floor care technicians as it essentially damaging the surface to expose a new layer. Keep in mind, the surface will be noticeably modified and will appear new once the process is complete.
If you are considering having your floors evaluated to determine the next steps, it’s very important that you choose a company that is current on industry methods, requires ongoing training of their technicians and associated staff and will take care of you long term after the work is complete. The action plan should be transparent with all terms and expectations defined accurately, and no unforeseen surprises along the way.
Are you planning on installing or replacing your carpet or hard surface flooring? Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss your project.
