Terrazzo Floor Care

by Larry David Price
(Raleigh, NC)

I have 1950's Terrazzo Floors, they have been coated with 3-coats of Sealer (Terra-Glaze) a Spartan product. I chose not to use a finish--sealer only.

For daily care, the Janitorial Vendor has been using a walk-behind NSS Auto Scrubber with 2-rotating 13" rotors.

Swirl marks are all over the floor, They are using (red) pads, I think they should use a white pad, that is a little less abrasive, it appears they have left the machine operating for a period of time with the pads down on the floor.

They were using a Ph Cleaner (Damp Mop) another Spartan product--but it ws leaving a haze--I told them to go to strictly to cold water--until we could figure out the problem, what is your recommendation for best care...?


Mr. Price,

You may have to strip the sealer and start again with a fresh coat of sealer. The janitorial vender clearly doesn’t know how to maintain the terrazzo floor, and my recommendation would be to find a company that does.

They are using a pad that is slightly scuffing the finish. It isn’t the temperature or pH cleaner they are using.

They do not need a red pad for cleaning the floor or an auto scrubber for this floor. Dry mopping the floor daily and damp mopping with microfiber mops is all is needed for daily maintenance.

Check with the Spartan Manufacture to see what they recommend for burnishing. They may have a burnishing spray that in conjunction with a burnishing machine, you can polish the Spartan product to restore the finish and remove scuff marks.

Depending on the traffic, this can be done weekly, monthly or quarterly.

Dry mopping and damp mopping with a neutral cleaner is recommended for daily maintenance.

Pedro