How to Strip Floors

HOW TO STRIP FLOORS

Purpose:

To remove a floor finish (wax) when any of the following occurs:
a. the color  changes.

b. the wax begins to build up.

c. mopping, spray buffing or re-waxing does not give the results desired.

Supplies and Equipment:
Dust mop
Broom and dust pan
Putty knife
Wet/dry vacuum
2 mop buckets
Squeegee
Stripping solution
Fresh water (use cool water)
Commercial neutralizer (if not available, use household vinegar in proportion of 1/2 pint vinegar per 2 gallons of water.)
Wet mop
Floor machine
Stripping pads
Wet Floor signs

Procedure:

1. Prepare the area:

a. Place "Floor Hazard" signs in easy-to-see locations at entrances to area being stripped.

b. Move furniture. Work around heavy furniture or equipment that cannot be moved. Tilt file cabinets and mount on blocks.

c. Sweep the floor with a treated dust mop or vacuum the floor.

d. Remove gum and other foreign material with a putty knife.

e. Place stripping pad (either ETC's Boss Hawg or black nylon) on the machine.

f. Set equipment in area where work will begin. In a room start in the farthest corner from the entrance.

2. Follow instructions for using the stripping solution and pour into the bucket. Use cool tap water.

Note:
Hot water can loosen tile adhesive and cause solution to dry too fast.

3. Dip mophead into stripping solution. Wring slightly so the mophead still drips a little. Fan out the mophead on the floor and start applying solution at the edges.

Note:
Most build-up is at the edges.

4. Apply the solution in a 6' to 7' arc or side to side movement to cover the area between the edges. Cover only a 100 to 125 square foot area at a time.

5. Where splashing on the walls and baseboards occurs, wipe off immediately with a damp cloth.

6. Let the solution soak on the floor 4 to 5 minutes.

7. Using the floor machine with stripping pads strip the area that is covered with solution. Overlap the strokes made by the machine.

8. Use the mop and empty bucket or wet/dry vacuum to pick up dirty solution. Do not allow solution to dry on the floor.

9. Rinse area using fresh water and mophead which is slightly wrung out.

10. Clean mophead with water after the first rinsing of the floor is complete.

11. Rinse two more times with fresh water. In the final rinse add commercial neutralizer per the in instructions, if available. If not, use 1/2 pint of household vinegar to 2 gallons of water. A neutralized floor gives a much better bond of the finish to the tile.

12. Allow floor to dry. Restrip any high gloss spots.

13. Allow floor to dry at least one hour after final rinse.

Check floor to be sure it is ready for finish by wiping the hand across a section of the floor. If a white powder comes up, the floor has not been rinsed properly and must be rinsed until no white powder comes up after the floor is dry. When the white powder no longer comes up on the hand, the floor is ready to be finished (waxed).

Accomplishment:

After following this procedure the floor will be free of all sealers, finishes, dirt, grime, gum, other foreign matter and have no powdery residue. The floor is then ready for finish to bond to the floor tile properly.