How to/Next Step Floor Care Procedures Manual .pdf

Professional Floor Care
NEXT STEP
Procedures Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
STRIPPING PROCEDURES
SINGLE DISK ROTARY
AUTOSCRUBBER
3
4
SEALING PROCEDURES
MOP & BUCKET
5
FINISHING PROCEDURES
MOP & BUCKET
5
FLOOR CLEANING PROCEDURES
DUST & DAMP MOPPING
DUST MOPPING and
DAILY AUTOSCRUBBING
6
6-7
RESTORING PROCEDURES
STANDARD or HIGH
SPEED SPRAY BUFFING
BUCKET METHOD
AUTOSCRUBBER
7-8
8
9
SCRUB & RECOAT PROCEDURES
SINGLE DISK ROTARY
AUTOSCRUBBER
9-10
11
HIGH-SPEED BURNISHING
DRY
12
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
13-16

STRIPPING PROCEDURES
SINGLE DISK ROTARY
The entrance and lobby provide the best opportunity to capture dust, dirt
and potentially harmful particles before they make their way deeper into
the building. Proper and effective cleaning at this stage can dramatically
improve overall indoor environmental quality.
Procedures
Chemicals
• Next Step 1 Speed Stripper
• Next Step 1 Perimeter Baseboard Stripper
• Neutral Conditioner Prod. : 679201
Equipment
• Personal protection equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Dust mop
• Putty knife or razor scraper
• 2 mop buckets with ringers
• 2 cotton mop heads with handles
• Rotary floor machine
• Stripping pads
• Dust pan and broom
• Wet pick-up vacuum
• Wiping cloths
• pH papers
• Doodlebug with black pad
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Remove any freestanding objects from the floor. Vacuum or clean
the walk-off mats and set aside.
3. Dust mop the area. As you are dust mopping, make note of any potential
problem areas. Remove any gum or debris that may be stuck
to the floor. Caution: Do not gouge the floor with the putty knife.
4. Use all necessary safety gear.
5. Post several wet floor signs indicating which areas are being
stripped.
6. Mix Next Step 1 Speed Stripper in accordance with label directions.
Hot water is preferred unless the label indicates otherwise or the
flooring manufacturer advises differently.
7. Apply stripping solution to floor liberally. Under most conditions,
don’t work in an area larger than 10’ x 10’. For problem floors, like
grouted tile or heavy build-up, work in smaller sections.
8. Leave stripping solution on floor for 7-10 minutes before scrubbing.
Caution: Don’t allow stripper to dry on floor.
9. For stripping close to baseboards, apply Next Step 1 Perimeter
Baseboard Stripper and agitate using the Doodlebug with a black
pad.
10. Scrub floor with a floor machine, then scrub in the opposite
direction to avoid pass lines. For heavy build-up, re-apply stripper
before scrubbing to increase contact time. Allow stripper to stay on
floor, then scrub.
11. Pick-up slurry with wet vacuum or with a mop.
12. Rinse floor with a liberal amount of water using a clean mop
Heavy build-up
Allow the stripper to stay on the floor for 7-10
minutes, scrub, then add more stripping solution and
scrub again. This will increase the amount of time that
stripping solution remains in contact with the floor
and will double the agitation applied.
head. This step generally is to remove any dried slurry that may be
present.
13. Repeat Step 12 with Neutral Conditioner and allow to air-dry.
14. After floor has dried, check to ensure that all stripper residue has
been removed by running your hand over the floor. Continue to
rinse until all residue is gone and no foam remains in rinse water or
the pH paper indicates neutral. A white powder indicates alkali is
still present. Do a final pH test by applying a few drops of water to
a tile, then wiping with a pH paper strip. Compare colour on strip to
pH range on container.
15. Clean all equipment, returning to its appropriate area.
NOTE: The floor must now be sealed or finished before traffic is
allowed on it.
3

STRIPPING PROCEDURES
AUTOSCRUB
To remove floor finish and embedded soil from the floor before applying
new floor finish.
Procedures
Chemicals
• Next Step 1 Speed Stripper
• Next Step 1 Perimeter Baseboard Stripper
• Neutral Conditioner Prod. : 679201
Equipment
• Personal protection equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Dust mop
• Putty knife or razor scraper
• 2 mop buckets with ringers
• 2 cotton mop heads with handles
• Floor squeegee
• Doodlebug with black pad
• Autoscrubber
• Stripping pads or stripping brushes
• Broom and dustpan
• Wiping cloths
• pH papers
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Remove any freestanding objects from the floor. Vacuum or clean
the walk-off mats and set aside.
3. Dust mop the area. As you are dust mopping, make note of any potential
problem areas. Remove any gum or debris that may be stuck
to the floor. Caution: Do not gouge the floor with the putty knife.
4. Post several wet floor signs indicating which areas are being
scrubbed.
5. Mix Next Step 1 Speed Stripper in accordance with label directions.
Hot water is preferred unless otherwise indicated on the label. Fill
mop bucket or larger container on wheels for larger areas. Fill autoscrubber
with clean water only for rinsing and the required amount
of Neutral Conditioner.
6. Liberally apply stripping solution with mop. For problem floors (e.g.
heavy-build-up) work in smaller sections.
Heavy build-up
Triple scrub, or reapply stripper and scrub again. Triple
scrubbing will increase the time stripper remains in
contact with the floor and the amount of agitation.
Water temperature should be hot, unless label
indicates otherwise.
7. Leave stripping solution on floor for 7-10 minutes before scrubbing.
Caution: Don’t allow stripper to dry on floor.
8. For removing the finish close to baseboards and/or gondolas, use a
doodlebug with a black pad and Next Step 1 Perimeter.
9. Ensure that black stripping pads are attached to autoscrubber.
Make a pass over the stripping solution using maximum brush
pressure with vacuum off and squeegee up.
10. Use hand-held floor squeegee to pull stripping solution away from
corners and/or other hard-to-reach areas.
11. With vacuum on, squeegee and brushes/pads down, make a
second pass over floor. Note: If excessive build-up on floor, repeats
Steps 7 through 12.
12. Make a third pass with brushes/pads down, vacuum off, squeegee
up and the solution valve wide open to apply rinse water to floor.
13. Lower squeegee, turn on vacuum and pick up rinse water. If using
autoscrubber to double rinse, repeat Steps 13 and 14 using clean
pads. Note: If using mop and bucket method, ensure that rinse
water remains clean.
14. When using autoscrubber to rinse, use trail-mop to pick up any
trails left by the autoscrubber.
15. After floor has dried, check to ensure that all stripper residue has
been removed by running your hand over the floor. Continue to
rinse until all residue is gone and no foam remains in rinse water or
the pH paper indicates neutral. A white powder indicates alkali is
still present. Do a final pH test by applying a few drops of water to
a tile, then wiping with a pH paper strip. Compare colour on strip
to pH range on container.
16. Clean all equipment and return to appropriate place. Note: The
floor must now be sealed or finished before traffic is allowed on it.
4

SEALING PROCEDURES
MOP & BUCKET
Replace base coat removed by stripping procedure.
Chemicals
Procedures
• Next Step 2 Base Coat
Equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Mop bucket and wringer
• Clean rayon mop head
• Plastic trash liner
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Post wet floor signs indicating which are being sealed.
3. Line mop bucket with a plastic trash liner to avoid contamination
and facilitate clean-up. Pour sealer into lined mop bucket.
4. Dip rinsed rayon mop head into the sealer and tamp in the wringer.
Do Not wring out mop head. Mop should be saturated, but not
dripping. A good base of sealer is approximately 7 litres / 1000
sq. ft.
5. Outline, or frame area to be finished. It is not necessary to go to
the baseboards on each coat 1st, 3rd and last is sufficient. This will
make subsequent stripping procedures easier. Fill in the outlined
area with an overlapping figure-eight mopping pattern.
6. Allow coat to dry (normally takes 30-45 minutes). Note: The base
coat should always be performed when dealing with new flooring.
Apply enough base coats until there is an even sheen to the floor.
The number of coats to achieve this will depend on the porosity of
the floor.
7. Thoroughly clean the mop head, bucket and wringer. Remove wet
floor signs after the floor is completely dry
FINISHING PROCEDURES
MOP & BUCKET
Replace floor finish removed by scrub &recoat or stripping procedure.
Chemicals
• Next Step 3 Endure 2000 Plus or
• Next Step 3 UHS Floor Coating or
• Next Step 3 Floor Coating L.M. or
• Next Step 3 Zarathon
Equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Mop bucket and wringer
• Clean rayon mop head
• Plastic trash liner
Procedures
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Post wet floor signs indicating which are being sealed.
3. Line mop bucket with a plastic trash liner to avoid contamination
and facilitate clean-up. Pour finish into lined mop bucket.
4. Dip rinsed rayon mop head into the sealer and tamp in the wringer.
Do Not wring out mop head. Mop should be saturated, but not
dripping. A good base of finish is approximately 7 litres / 1000 sq. ft.
5. Outline, or frame area to be finished. It is not necessary to go to the
baseboards on each coat 1st, 3rd and last is sufficient. This will make
subsequent stripping procedures easier. Fill in the outlined area with
an overlapping figure-eight mopping pattern.
6. Allow coat to dry (normally takes 30-45 minutes). Note: Do not
recoat until finish is dry to the touch - plus 15 minutes.
7. Thoroughly clean the mop head, bucket and wringer. Remove wet
floor signs after the floor is completely dry
5

FLOOR CLEANING PROCEDURES
DUST & DAMP MOPPING
To remove loose surface debris using a Dry Mop: dust, dirt and other particles
from the surface of a hard floor; to remove dirt and moisture from
hard floors using a Damp Mop method. Damp Mopping is distinguished
from Wet Mopping, by the amount of cleaning solution used during the
mopping process. Damp mopping employs the use of a partially to fully
wrung-out mop head.
Chemicals
• Next Step 4 Neutral Cleaner
Equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Dust mop
• Clean cotton mop head and handle
• Mop bucket with ringer
• Broom and dustpan
• Putty knife
• Wet pick-up vacuum, if available
Heavily soiled floors
If floors are heavily soiled, increase time cleaning
solution remains on floor. Agitating with a floor
tool will also aid in soil removal. Concentration and
Temperature should follow label directions.
Procedures
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Remove any freestanding objects from the floor. Vacuum the walkoff
mats and set aside.
3. Dust mop the entire floor. Remove with putty knife any gum or other
debris that may be stuck to floor. Caution: Be careful not to gouge
floor.
4. Post wet floor signs indicating wet area(s).
5. If Next Step 4 Neutral Cleaner is not automatically dispensed, mix
according to label directions with cool water. Caution: Hot water
will soften floor finish and may cause deterioration.
6. Damp Mopping / Light Soils: Dip mop head into cleaning solution
and wring out. Apply in an overlapping figure-eight mopping
pattern. Allow to dry. Proceed to Steps 10 and 11. Change cleaning
solution often.
7. Wet Mopping / Heavy Soils: Dip mop head into cleaning solution
and lightly tamp in wringer. Apply in an overlapping figure-eight
mopping pattern. Be sure to get into corners and along edges.
8. Allow cleaning solution to remain on floor for 5 minutes, then, pick
up with mop head or wet vacuum. Change cleaning solution before
it becomes heavily soiled.
9. Rinsing is necessary in heavily soiled areas, using clean mop head
and clean water. Apply rinse water and pick up with mop or wet vacuum,
changing rinse water as it becomes soiled. Allow floor to dry.
10. Thoroughly rinse out mop heads, buckets and wringers, and return
to their appropriate place.
FLOOR CLEANING PROCEDURES
DUST MOPPING and
DAILY AUTOSCRUBBING
Same purpose as outlined Dust & Damp Mopping above.
6

Chemicals
• Next Step 4 Neutral Cleaner
Equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Dust mop
• Clean cotton mop head and handle
• Broom and dustpan
• Putty knife
• Autoscrubber with appropriate floor pads
• Bucket and Wringer
Heavily soiled floors
If floors are heavily soiled, increase time cleaning
solution remains on floor. Increasing pad pressure
will aid in soil removal. Concentration and Temperature
should follow label directions.
Procedures
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Remove any freestanding objects from the floor. Vacuum the walkoff
mats and set aside.
3. Dust mop the entire floor. Remove with putty knife any gum or other
debris that may be stuck to floor. Caution: Be careful not to gouge
floor.
4. Post wet floor signs indicating wet area(s).
5. If Next Step 4 Neutral Cleaner is not automatically dispensed, mix
according to label directions with cool water. Caution: Hot water
will soften floor finish and may cause deterioration.
6. Autoscrub / Light Soils: Ensure white or red pads are attached to
the autoscrubber. Make one pass over the floor area with squeegee
and pads down, solution on and vacuum on.
7. Using a bucket and wringer with a solution of Next Step 4 Neutral
Cleaner light damp mop edges. This will ensure an even appearance
with no dirt build-up on the edges. Change cleaning solution often.
8. Autoscrub / Heavy Soils: Ensure red pads are attached to the
autoscrubber. Make one pass over floor with pads down, solution on,
squeegee up and vacuum off. Allow cleaning solution to remain on
floor for 5 minutes. Make a second pass with pads down, solution
on, squeegee down and vacuum on to pick-up solution.
9. Using a bucket and wringer with a solution of Next Step 4 Neutral
Cleaner light damp mop edges. This will ensure an even appearance
with no dirt build-up on the edges. Change cleaning solution often.
10. Thoroughly rinse out mop heads, buckets and wringers, and return
to their appropriate place.
RESTORING PROCEDURES
STANDARD or HIGH-SPEED
SPRAY BUFFING
Restore the appearance of the base polish by spray buffing, the purpose of
which is to polish but not necessarily to clean.
Chemicals
• Next Step 5 Spray Buff Reagent
Equipment
• Caution signs
• Dust mop
• Labeled spray bottles
• Single disk rotary floor machine (175-375 rpm)
• Red buffing pads
7

RESTORING PROCEDURES (continued)
STANDARD or HIGH-SPEED
SPRAY BUFFING
Procedures
Prior to spray buffing, perform routine maintenance procedures
to ensure floor is free of soils before spray buffing. This ensures
that dirt is not buffed into the finish.
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Attach a red buffing pad to buffer.
3. Spray Next Step 5 Spray Buff Reagent onto floor area with a correctly
labeled spray bottle. Do not mist the product as it will result in coating
the filter on the floor machine which may result in overheating
the motor over time.
4. Make three passes over spray buff solution or until a brilliant shine
appears. Ensure to overlap as you go. Turn pad over often or switch
to clean pad as pad begins to collect particles and dried spray buff
solution.
5. Clean equipment and return to its appropriate place.
6. Dust mop floor to remove any powder residue and remove caution
signs after task has been completed.
RESTORING PROCEDURES
BUCKET METHOD
Restore, improve and protect the appearance of the flooring by reducing
wear and abrasion, thus increasing the service life of the flooring.
Procedures
Chemicals
• Next Step 5 Revitalizer
Equipment
• Burnisher with appropriate pad
• Wet floor signs
• Mop bucket with ringer
• Clean rayon mop head
• Plastic trash liner
• Dust mop
For heavily soiled floors; all dust, debris or other soils must be removed,
failure to do so will increase the need to strip. For light to moderate soil
there is no need to pre-clean.
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Post wet floor signs indicating which areas are to restored.
3. Line the mop bucket with a plastic trash liner to avoid contamination.
Dilute Next Step Revitalizer to recommended dilutions in the line bucket.
4. Dip pre-soaked rayon mop head into bucket and tamp in the wringer.
Clean floor with this solution, then on the second pass pick up excess
solution, leaving a consistent film.
5. It is not necessary to directly go to the baseboards or any area not able
to be burnished.
6. Allow coat to dry, normally taking 15-20 minutes.
7. Immediately burnish the restored area with a high-speed burnisher and
the appropriate pad. Consult your Zep Rep for this selection.
8. Dust mop entire floor area to pick-up any residue.
9. Thoroughly clean mop head, bucket and wringer. Remove wet floor
signs.
8

RESTORING PROCEDURES
AUTOSCRUB
Restore, improve and protect the appearance of the flooring by reducing
wear and abrasion, thus increasing the service life of the flooring.
Chemicals
• Next Step 5 Revitalizer
Equipment
• Autoscrubber with red pads
• Burnisher with appropriate pad
• Wet floor signs
• Dust mop
Procedures
For heavily soiled floors; all dust, debris or other soils must be removed,
failure to do so will increase the need to strip. For light to moderate soil
there is no need to pre-clean.
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Post wet floor signs indicating which areas are to restored.
3. Fill autoscrubber with the recommended dilution of Next Step 5 Revitalizer
and warm water.
4. Clean floor area with autoscrubber and solution in one pass, which will
leave a trace film of Revitalizer.
5. Burnish immediately using an appropriate burnish pad. Consult your Zep
Rep for this selection.
6. Dust mop floor area after burnishing.
7. Remove wet floor signs..
SCRUB & RECOAT PROCEDURES
SINGLE DISK ROTARY
When floors lose their original high gloss look and appear dull, it’s time
to recoat. Traffic areas will require more frequent recoating to maintain
a clean, high shine appearance. A planned recoat schedule will provide
optimum appearance and greatly reduce the need for stripping.
Chemicals
• Next Step 6 Scrub & Recoat
• Next Step 3 Endure 2000 Plus or
• Next Step 3 UHS Floor Coating or
• Next Step 3 Floor Coating L.M. or
• Next Step 3 Zarathon or
• Next Step 3 Solitaire Rapid Response
• Neutral Conditioner
9

SCRUB & RECOAT PROCEDURES (continued)
Procedures
Equipment
• Personal Protection Equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Dust mop
• Putty knife
• 2 mop buckets with wringers
• 2 cotton mop heads with handles
• 1 clean finish mop head
• Rotary floor machine
• Blue scrubbing pad
• Dust pan
• Broom
• Wet pick-up vacuum
• Wiping cloths
• pH strips
Scrub & Recoat
If floor is heavily soiled or if intended to be re-coated,
changing to a more aggressive pad (agitation)
will aid in soil removal. Increasing amount of time
cleaner is allowed to remain on floor provides more
effective cleaning. Follow label instructions for water
temperature and concentration of cleaner.
7. Liberally apply Scrub & Recoat cleaning solution on floor.
Under most conditions do not work an area larger than 10’
x 10’. For difficult areas, e.g. grouted tile, work in smaller
areas.
8. For heavy-build-up, allow Scrub & Recoat solution to
remain on floor for 5 minutes.
9. Ensure a blue pad is attached to the floor machine. Make
two to three passes over each are with floor machine and
overlapping as you go to avoid pass-lines.
10. Pick-up slurry with wet pick-up vacuum or with mop.
11. Rinse floor with clean water and Neutral Conditioner using
a clean mop head. Apply liberal amount of water and pick
up with vacuum or mop.
12. After floor has dried, rub your hand over it to check for
residue. If residue is found, rinse floor again. Check pH of
floor using pH test strips and inspect floor carefully before
recoating.
13. Once floor is properly prepared using Steps 3-12, application
of maintenance coats of finish is required. Rule
of Thumb: Light scrub 1 coat; medium scrub 2 coats;
heavy scrub 2-3 coats. Note: One coat along the edges is
sufficient.
14. Clean all equipment and return to its appropriate area.
Note: Do not remove wet floor signs until floor is dry.
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Remove any freestanding objects from the floor. Vacuum walk-off
mats and set aside.
3. Dust mop entire floor making note of any potential problem areas.
Remove any gum or debris that may be stuck to the floor. Caution:
Be careful not to gouge floor with putty knife.
4. Put on appropriate safety gear.
5. Step 6 Scrub & Recoat is not automatically dispensed, mix chemicals
in accordance with label directions. Use tepid water because hot
water may remove too much finish. Note: Hot water may be used if
coating is heavily damaged.
6. Post wet floor signs to indicate to traffic which areas are being
worked on.
10

SCRUB & RECOAT PROCEDURES
AUTOSCRUB
Same purpose as outlined Scrub & Recoat - Single Disk Rotary.
Chemicals
Procedures
• Same chemicals as outlined in Scrub & Recoat -
Single Disk Rotary.
Equipment
• Personal Protection Equipment
• Wet floor signs
• Putty knife
• 2 mop buckets with wringers
• 2 cotton mop heads with handles
• 1 clean finish mop head
• Floor squeegee
• Autoscrubber
• Blue scrubbing pad
• Dust pan
• Broom
• pH strips
Scrub & Recoat
If floors are heavily damaged, changing to a more
aggressive pad (agitation) will aid in removing soil
and damaged finish. Double scrubbing will increase
time the cleaner remains in contact with floor and
the amount of agitation. Follow label directions for
water temperature and Next Step 6 Scrub & Recoat
dilution.
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Remove any freestanding objects from the floor. Vacuum walk-off
mats and set aside.
3. Dust mop entire floor making note of any potential problem areas.
Remove any gum or debris that may be stuck to the floor. Caution:
Be careful not to gouge floor with putty knife.
4. Put on appropriate safety gear.
5. Fill the solution tank of the autoscrubber with Next Step 6 Scrub-nre-coat
solution. If cleaners are not automatically dispensed, follow
label instructions. Use tepid water because hot water will soften
finish and may cause excessive finish removal. Note: Hot water
may be used if coating is heavily damaged.
6. Post wet floor signs to indicate to traffic which areas are being
scrubbed.
7. Light Damage: make one pass over with solution valve
open, pads (blue) down, squeegee down and vacuum on.
Proceed to Steps 10 through 12.
8. Heavy Damaged Finish - make one pass over area with
solution valve open and pads (blue) down with squeegee
up and vacuum off.
9. Allow solution to remain on floor for several minutes then
make a second pass with vacuum on, squeegee and pads
lowered and solution valve open.
10. After entire area is thoroughly scrubbed, fill autoscrubber
with clean water and Neutral Conditioner according to
label.
11. Make one pass over with solution valve open, pads down,
squeegee up and vacuum off.
12. Pick-up solution on second pass.
13. Trail mop the area just scrubbed and test pH using pH test
strips. Inspect floor carefully prior to recoating.
14. Once floor is properly prepared using Steps 3-12, application
of maintenance coats of finish is possible. Rule
of Thumb: Light scrub 1 coat; medium scrub 2 coats;
heavy scrub 2-3 coats. Note: One coat along the edges is
sufficient.
15. Clean your equipment and return to appropriate area. Do
not remove wet floor signs until floor is dry.
11

UHS BURNISHING PROCEDURES
DRY
High speed burnishing is used to maintain a high gloss shine on floors.
Chemicals
• None
Procedures
Equipment
• Caution signs
• High speed burnisher (1500 rpm or more)
• Burnishing pads
• Dust mop
Burnishing should be performed only after performing general cleaning
procedures with an autoscrubber. Failure to autoscrub will result in
discoloration and increase the need for stripping operations.
1. Assemble your equipment
2. Post caution signs indicating which areas are being burnished.
3. Attach the appropriate burnishing pad to burnisher. Consult your
Zep field service rep for the correct pad for your program. Additional
burnishing pads must be on hand.
4. Make a steady pass over floor at a rate that provides a high gloss
on only one pass. Do not allow burnisher to stand idle while it’s
running.
5. Change pad on burnisher when it becomes necessary.
6. After entire area has been burnished, floor must be dry mopped.
7. Clean equipment and return to its appropriate location.
8. Remove caution signs.
9. Note: After several dry burnishings it may be required to use a
revitalizer to repair the finish and regain a ultra high gloss shine.
12

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
The following troubleshooting guide is intended to highlight the most
common causes of problems experienced in the field. The “most likely
causes” shown for each problem are listed in rank order or likely occurrence.
PROBLEM MOST LIKELY CAUSE SOLUTION
Poor Gloss (Gloss Level Below Normal)
Insufficient coats applied (recoat schedule off or area not
properly identified as main vs secondary traffic)
Thin coats of finish.
Wrong scrubbing or buffing pads / brushes used (usually
too aggressive).
Excessive amount of sand and grit is on floor.
Scrub, rinse and apply additional coats (maintain 4-6
coats)
Apply in medium coats, with a tamped mop rather than a
wrung-out mop.
Use approve pads or brushes and follow recoat
procedures. Contact your Zep Rep for proper pad use.
Remove sand and grit from outside of doors.
Floor not properly rinsed before recoat.
Strip, properly rinse and apply new finish.
Ammonia, bleach or stripping solution used in scrubber or
mop bucket for routine cleaning.
Dirty equipment used to apply finish (stripper mop used
etc.).
Tile becoming old or very porous.
Additional coats applied before previous coats are dry.
Improper cleaner dilutions.
Use approved cleaners only.
Strip properly rinse and apply new finish using clean
equipment.
Use sealer before finishing floor. Apply additional coats
of finish.
Allow next coat to dry sufficiently, if problem not solved,
strip, rinse and re-apply.
Always measure detergent (excess cleaner residue can
cause dulling).
Scuffing and Scratching of Finish Wrong scrubbing or buffing pads / brushes. Use approved pads and brushes. Consult your Zep Rep to
determine this requirement.
Excessive dirt grit on floor.
Thoroughly dust mop before cleaning.
Not scrubbing or buffing enough.
Some unauthorized floor finishes do not resist scuffs and
scratches very well.
Unequal pad pressures on twin pad scrubber / buffer.
Verify areas are correctly classified as main and secondary
traffic areas.
Use approved floor finishes. Consult your Zep Rep to
determine this requirement.
Make necessary adjustments to pads.
Stone and grit not picked up by autoscrubber (or mop).
Grit buffed into floor or dragged by squeegee.
Dust mopping procedures not used often enough or as
the initial step prior to any general daily duties.
Check work area to avoid this problem. May need to dust
mop again prior to buffing in problem areas (doorways
etc.).

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE (continued)
PROBLEM MOST LIKELY CAUSE SOLUTION
Floor Finish Discoloured (Yellow or Brown)
New cotton mops used to apply finish before being soaked
and cleaned. Sizing solution in new mops can release and
yellow floor.
Not using automatic scrubber for daily cleaning,
particularly when on ultra high program prior to any
buffing (grinding dirt into finish).
Damp mopping with dirty water.
Excessive dirt, sand, and grit allowed to enter facility and
being ground into finish.
Water trails left by scrubber.
Dirty mops used to pick up water trails from scrubber
leaving dirt, which can be buffed into finish.
Buffing pads contain dirt and finish accumulations.
Deep scrub to remove dirt and colour. Clean mops
thoroughly.
Must use autoscrubber and proper pads / cleaner on daily
basis; damp mopping is not sufficient.
When using a mop, change water frequently and use a
two pail system.
Use approved mats and runners Consult your Zep Rep to
determine this requirement. Dust mop more often.
Minimize trail with proper equipment maintenance and
operator training.
Implement proper training procedures for operators. Use
clean mops and change rinse water frequently.
Always use clean pads; rotate or replace as necessary.
Incorrect concentration of cleaner; too much cleaner can
soften finish and/or leave residue, which can hold dirt
deposits. Too little cleaner will not permit adequate dirt
removal.
Over-treatment of oil on dust mop.
Follow recommended floor care procedures.
Use nylon dust mops that do not require treatment.
Applying floor finish before floor has been properly
scrubbed and rinsed (dirt coated into floor finish).
Getting build-up by applying finish to edges every time
floor is coated (edges turning colour).
Fans used to force dry floor finish resulting in dirt catching
bubbles and pockets (dirt can then be buffed into finish).
Dirty mops.
Contaminated floor finish. (Unused finish should never be
returned to original container).
Strip, rinse and re-apply floor finish.
Do Not recoat outer 4-6 inches every time floor is finished.
Never direct fans at floor finishes: If fans are used, aim
upward for air circulation in area.
Always clean mops; if dirty mops or equipment are used,
strip, rinse and re-apply floor finish.
Dispose of unused floor finish.
Powdering of Floor Finish Applying coats too thin. Utilize medium coats.
Wrong buffing pads or brushes used (too aggressive).
Floor not rinsed before floor finish applied ; heavy cleaner
residues can prevent good adhesion.
Dirty buffing pads being used.
Fans used to force dry floor finish: surface may dry too
quickly and not allow finish to form a good bond (good
adhesion). (Also occurs with coats that are applied too
thin see above).
Use recommended pads and brushes. Consult a Zep Rep
for proper pads and brushes.
Floor must be thoroughly rinsed before applying floor
finish.
Change or rotate pads during buffing and clean pads after
each use.
Never direct fans at floor finish; if fans are used, aim
upward for air circulation in area.

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE (continued)
PROBLEM MOST LIKELY CAUSE SOLUTION
* To test finish adhesion to floor, apply one medium coat to small area and let dry (30-40 min.) Apply good masking tape or scotch tape to finish and pull up with a quick jerk. If
finish comes off with tape, you do not have good adhesion.
Powdering of Floor Finish (continued)
Hardeners surfacing from floor (composition floors such as
Terrazzo preventing adhesion) *.
Finish designed for low speed buffing is being burnished.
If floor finish does not adhere, apply sealer before
applying floor finish.
Always match the chemicals to the buffing RPM.
Finish applied before floor or previous coat dry (finish not
sticking to floor) *.
Stripper residue left on floor due to poor rinsing (finish
not sticking to floor) *.
Old floor finish not completely removed incompatibility
of coatings).
Factory finish not stripped off new tile before finishing *.
Strip, rinse, and allow floor to dry before applying floor
finish.
Strip, rinse, thoroughly, and re-apply floor finish.
Only use approved finish. Consult your Zep Rep to
determine this requirement. Do Not apply hard finishes
over soft buffed finishes.
Strip, rinse and re-apply floor finish.
Frozen floor finish (may bead up on floor during
application).
Do Not proceed with finish; replace with good product.
Streaks in Floor Finish and / or Floor Finish
Exhibiting an Alligator Effect
Floor finish or seal not thoroughly dry before applying
additional coats.
Contaminated mops or pails used to apply finish (i.e. dirty
strip mop used).
Floor finish frozen or stored in extreme heat.
Floor finish applied over factory finish on new tile *.
Contaminated floor finish put back into drum.
Improperly rinsed floor before coating.
Dirty mop or equipment used when applying floor finish.
Floor not thoroughly scrubbed and rinsed before applying
floor finish.
Strip, rinse and re-apply finish. Do Not recoat if mop
drags.
Strip, rinse and re-apply floor finish using clean
equipment.
Replace damaged product. Strip, rinse and re-apply new
finish.
Strip, rinse and re-apply finish. Do Not use left over floor
finish.
Dispose of contaminated floor finish. Strip, rinse and
re-apply floor finish.
Rinse floor after scrubbing and stripping and before floor
finish is applied.
Ensure all equipment is clean before attempting to apply
floor finish.
Ensure that the floor is thoroughly scrubbed and rinsed
before applying floor finish.
Floors Seem Slippery
Silicone base products (furniture polishes, glass cleaners)
getting on floor due to aerosol over-spray or accidental
spills.
If silicone based products are used near aisles, apply to
rag prior to use to reduce the chance of over-spray hitting
floor. Scrub floor thoroughly to remove: if floor is still
slippery after cleaning, apply a medium coat of finish over
affected area.

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE (continued)
PROBLEM MOST LIKELY CAUSE SOLUTION
Floors Seem Slippery (continued) Ice melting compounds on floor. Clean contaminated floor (normally near entrances
and at end of runners) thoroughly with clean water to
remove. Do Not use detergents or vinegar when spot
cleaning. Control amount of ice melting chemicals used.
Use approved mats and runners. Clean mats and runners
occasionally with a wet-dry vacuum or wet extraction
cleaner using plain water.
Powder residue left on floor after burnishing.
Ensure that the floor is thoroughly dust mopped.
Dirt and grit on floor.
Improperly treated dust mops being used, these are
usually oil treated.
Unauthorized floor finish on floor.
Use approved floor mat and runners. Consult a Zep Rep to
determine this requirement.
Use paraffin treated dust mops.
Use approved floor finishes only.
Improper detergent solution (will not remove foreign
substances found on floor).
Use of acids (vinegar) in cleaning water (acids will destroy
the cleaning ability of detergents).
Always measure the detergent and use recommended
dilutions.
Always measure the detergent and use recommended
dilutions. Do Not add vinegar.
1-877-I-Buy-Zep (428-9937)
access to local branches across North America
Zep Sales & Service, a unit of Zep Inc.
11627 - 178 Street Edmonton AB T5S 1N6
780-453-8100 Main Switchboard
1-800-313-8439 Technical Services
www.zep.com