Floor Waxing Services FAQ

Floor waxing is a process of applying a protective layer of wax onto the surface of a floor to help enhance its appearance, protect it from damage, and prolong its lifespan.

It involves cleaning the floor thoroughly, applying a coat of wax using appropriate tools such as a mop or floor buffer, allowing the wax to dry, and then buffing the floor to a shine. The wax then forms a barrier that helps to prevent scratches, stains, and other forms of wear and tear on the floor surface.

Bonus: Floor waxing can enhance the floor's resistance to moisture and make it easier to clean. 

The top 5 reasons we consider this service to be important for any client is because --

1. The floor wax creates a protective layer which helps prolong your floors lifespan
   
   
2. Makes your floors look better by giving your flooring material a glossy & polished look after utilizing the wax
   
   
3. It's much easier to clean and maintain your floors. With the barrier we mentioned in FAQ #1, sweeping and mopping is usually enough to keep waxed floors looking clean!
   
   
4. Improved the slip resistance
   
   
5. For hardwood or linoleum flooring - waxing helps keep it from drying out, fading, or becoming discolored over time

For more floor type comparisons, check out our post Flooring Surfaces And Limitations

There are several things to take into consideration.

1. Floors in high-traffic areas such as commercial spaces, hallways, and entryways may need to be waxed more frequently. This could range from every 3 to 6 months, or even more frequently in heavily used areas.
   
   
2. Residential floors with moderate foot traffic, such as living rooms and bedrooms, waxing may be needed every 6 to 12 months.
   
   
3. Floors in areas with minimal foot traffic (low-traffic areas), like guest rooms or storage areas, may only need to be waxed once a year or even less frequently.
   
   
4. Some types of flooring, such as hardwood or vinyl, may require less frequent waxing compared to others like linoleum or terrazzo.

The most common types are hardwood, vinyl, linoleum, concrete, terrazzo, natural stone, and tile.

While not all tile floors require waxing, some certain types (like unglazed ceramic or porcelain) can benefit from waxing to promote their appearance  and protect the grout.

Note: It's important to note that not all flooring materials require waxing, and some modern flooring options come with built-in protective coatings that eliminate the need for waxing. Always check with the manufacturer or a professional to determine if your specific flooring material is suitable for waxing.

By taking advantage of  professional floor waxing services you will benefit from their high-quality products, save time and money on labor, have guaranteed uniform application, enhanced appearance & an extended floor lifespan. As an extra, you'll benefit from customized maintenance plans based on your facility and not just a general time guideline.

Floor waxing protects the floor by sealing with a protective layer which will reduct the need for repairs, adds an extra layer of protection against scratches & scuffs, and gives an enhancesd apperance while also making it easier to maintain and clean.

The steps of a strip and wax are the following. Preparation, stripping (if needed), rinsing (if stripping), application of the wax, drying, buffing (optional), additional coats (optional), and maintenance.

Floor waxing is not recommended for all types of flooring materials.

Some floors that can benefit from waxing are hardwood, vinyl, linoleum, terrazzo, concrete, and some natural stone.

We don't recommend this service on laminate, some tile floorings, cork floors, or some special engineered wood floors.

These are three different process all used to maintain, enhance, and prolong your floors, but they serve distinct purposes and involve different techniques.

Waxing:

• Involves applying a layer of wax onto the surface of the floor. This wax layer provides a protective barrier that helps to prevent scratches, stains, and wear and tear on the floor's surface.
• The wax layer adds shine and enhances the appearance of the floor, giving it a glossy finish.
  Floor waxing is typically done using liquid or paste wax, which is applied using a mop or applicator, allowed to dry, and then buffed to a shine.
• Waxing is commonly used on hard floors such as hardwood, linoleum, and some types of tile.

Polishing:

• Polishing involves using a specialized machine, known as a floor polisher or floor buffer, to mechanically remove imperfections and restore the shine to the floor's surface.
• Unlike waxing, polishing does not involve applying a protective coating to the floor. Instead, it focuses on smoothing out scratches, scuffs, and other blemishes on the surface.
• Polishing can be done with or without the use of polishing compounds or abrasives, depending on the condition of the floor and the desired level of shine.
• Polishing is often used on hard floors such as marble, granite, terrazzo, and concrete.

Buffing:

• Buffing is a process that follows waxing or polishing to further enhance the shine and smoothness of the floor's surface.
• Buffing is done using a high-speed rotary buffer equipped with a soft pad or brush. The buffer is run over the waxed or polished floor to bring out a glossy shine.
• Buffing helps to distribute the wax evenly and remove any excess wax or polish residue, resulting in a smooth and uniform finish.
• Buffing can be done periodically to maintain the appearance of the floor between waxing or polishing treatments.

Drying time depends on the type of wax used, the humidity levels, and the ventilation in your area. In general it takes about 30 minutes to a few hours.

Water-based waxes are the fastest, drying within 30 mins to 2 hours. Solvent-based take about 2 to 4 hours. Paste wax takes longer, depending on the thickness, it could take from several hours to having to wait overnight.

The environmental friendliness of floor waxing depends on several factors, including the type of wax used, the application process, and the environmental impact of the ingredients in the wax.

While floor waxing can involve the use of chemicals and energy-intensive processes, choosing eco-friendly wax products and application methods can help minimize its environmental impact.

We would hope that protective measures are taken in place to prevent any hazards, but they still might occur. Some things to look out for include skin irritation, slippery surfaces, combustion hazards, and exposure to chemicals that cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and respiratory problems.

We recommend using products that have low levels of VOC's and other harmful chemicals & always using personal protective equipment.

The first thing you can expect is for your selected professionals to come in and do an initial assessment for which treatment is best suited for your building, office, or facility. After that get ready for floor preparation, repair, the application of the wax, drying time, and buffing. Lastly, there will be a final inspection where the expert will come in and inspect the finished result to make sure that the wax has been evenly applied and the floors look clean, smooth, and glossy.

Throughout the appointment, the expert will communicate with you to make sure that your expectations are met and address any questions or concerns you may have about the process. Overall, you can expect a thorough and professional treatment that leaves your floors looking clean, shiny, and rejuvenated.