The new vinyl floors are extremely durable and long lasting, but like any floor covering they still need regular maintenance to stay looking like new. Follow these general guidelines for vinyl flooring. For more detailed information always refer to the manufacturer's written floor care procedures.

Care After Installation

• For the first 24 hours after your new floor is installed protect all the seamed areas and don't walk on the seam sealer.
• Keep the room at 68° F or greater for at least a 2 days after installation to allow the adhesives to setup properly.
• Do not roll heavy objects directly on to a newly installed vinyl floor for at least 5 days. This can cause the vinyl and adhesive to become compressed, once the adhesive sets up any compressed marks will become permanent. Always lay plywood or underlayment to disperse the weight of a heavy objects being moved across your vinyl floor.
• Allow 5 days before thoroughly washing your floor. This will give time for the adhesive to cure.
• Before placing chairs or furniture on your new vinyl floor check the condition of all casters or rollers before setting them on your floor. Replace any worn casters or rollers.

General Floor Care

• Vacuum regularly to remove grit and sand. Wash your floor occasionally with the manufacturer's recommended floor cleaner, such as Armstrong's Once 'n Done No Rinse Cleaner, or Mannington's Award Cleaner.
• Wipe up spills immediately. If needed clean with the manufacturer's recommended cleaner. You can also clean with luke warm water and clear ammonia.
• If your floor becomes dull looking you may need to add the manufacturer's recommended floor polish to restore the orginal gloss level. First, try cleaning with luke warm water and clear ammonia to see if there is a film on your floor causing the dullness.
• Never use abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes, or solvents on your vinyl floor.
• Place non-staining, walk-off mats at every outside entry to your room. This will help keep sand and grit from being tracked on to your floor.

Floor Care Tips

• If your floor gets a cut or gouge in it, cover the area immediately and call your professional floor covering store. A professional installer can repair the area, but if the cut is filled with dirt it may be difficult to repair correctly.
• If you purchase an inexpensive PVC vinyl floor you should consider placing 2-3 coats of the recommended floor polish on the floor immediately. Any vinyl floor with a PVC wearlayer will show scuffs, scratches, and other marks very easily, by adding the coats of floor polish you will make the floor easier to maintain.
• If you have a seam open, cover it immediately, do not wash that area, and call a floor covering professional to come and repair the seam.
• When moving heavy objects across your floor place plywood, or underlayment sheets down first and move the object over the plywood sheets.

MAINTAINING COMMERCIAL AREAS
All vinyl flooring requires effective cleaning and maintenance to ensure its durability, appearance and safety. How frequently the floor must be maintained depends largely on the amount and type of traffic and the amount and frequency of soiling.

The type of floor and the color are important, too. For example, solid colored floors will show scuffs, scratches, dirt and general wear more than multi-colors or patterns. Likewise, light colors will show marks more than darker colors.

The local conditions will determine what specific maintenance is needed. It is the responsibility of the maintenance contractor to set up a maintenance program, meeting the needs of the facility. For example, requirements in a 12th floor office suite will be significantly different from those in a supermarket or restaurant dining area.

There have been many improvements in chemical maintenance products, cleaning and buffing pad composition, maintenance machines and maintenance procedures. Intensive training programs by nationally known maintenance product manufacturers have significantly improved the expectations for overall protection and appearance of all vinyl tile floors. At the same time, cost per square foot for caring for these tile floors in commercial areas has gone down. High quality maintenance of vinyl flooring is now easier than ever before.

Use maintenance materials or products of equal quality for maintaining vinyl tile floors.

Initial Maintenance:

1. Do not wash or scrub the floor for at least 4-5 days.
2. Keep heavy furniture and equipment off the floor for 48 hours.
3. Apply multiple (3-5) coats of a high-quality cross-linked acrylic floor finish to the thoroughly clean, dry floor to protect the surface.

Regular Care and Maintenance (after initial cleaning and polishing):

1. Clean frequently with a treated dust mop or clean, soft push broom.
2. Remove stains and spills promptly. Damp mop as needed with a dilute, neutral detergent solution. In heavily soiled areas, scrub lightly with an automatic floor machine.
3. Rinse the floor with clean water and allow to dry completely. Restrict traffic when cleaning to prevent slipping.
4. Spray buff or perform high-speed burnishing to protect the surface and restore gloss.

Continuing General Maintenance

1. Sweeping:
• Sweep or vacuum the floor at least daily to remove any dirt or grit before it can scratch the floor or become ground in.
2. Removing Spills:
• Take prompt action to deal with all spills since they can cause the floor to become slippery.
• Remove all spills from the surface by wiping up with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. Then wash with a solution of neutral floor cleaner. Since wet floors can be slippery, mark the area with "Caution, Slippery Floor" signs. Keep foot traffic off until the floor is dry.
3. Further Cleaning:
• Regular mopping or washing of the floor using a solution of neutral cleaner will be necessary. The frequency will depend on the color of the floor and the nature and amount of soiling.
• For example, a high traffic area where there is a lot of soiling will almost certainly require washing on a daily basis. Regular maintenance at walk-off mats will help minimize the amount of dirt and grit tracked into the premises. This will reduce maintenance in entry areas and help extend the life of the floor.
4. Buffing:
• Buffing will help add luster to the finish, dislodge dirt and blend touch up spots with the original finish.
• Thoroughly train operators of buffing machines in the machine's proper use. If the buffing machine is improperly used, or if the floor is not smooth and level, these machines can damage luxury vinyl tile floors.
• After buffing, sweep, vacuum or damp mop to pick up the burnishing dust.
5. Restoring the Finish:
• Touch up worn spots in heavy traffic areas before finish film wears through completely. Usually it is not necessary to reapply finish to the entire floor.
• Never apply floor finish over a dirty surface. The dirt will be trapped under the new coating. If the floor has been exposed to traffic since the last floor finish application, it should be mopped clean.
• Be sure no floor cleaner film is left on the floor before applying finish. Floor finish over a floor cleaner film reduces the water resistance of the film and may leave a spotted floor.
• Do not force-dry the floor finish since this may lead to podering of the finish.
6. Stripping: When you need to strip vinyl tile
• Equipment Required:
• Any floor service should have on hand before beginning the job:
• Clean dust mops
• Mop heads and handles (soak new mops 24 hours)
• Buckets with wringers
• Blue/green stripping pads or equivalent natural fiber brushes
• Side-to-side slow speed buffers, generally 375 RPM or slower
• Automatic floor scrubbing machine (with full change)
• Foot Traffic Safety "Caution; Slippery When Wet" Signs
7. NOTE: The number of pieces of equipment required depends on the size of the job and the personnel required to complete maintenance within the time allotted.

Stripping Procedure:

1. Dust mop the entire floor area and remove gum, tar, glue, etc. from the floor.
2. Mix one part heavy duty floor finish stripper to four parts hot water. Follow stripping instructions on the label.
3. Dip the mop in stripping solution; let the excess solution drain off and apply stripper liberally to a section of the floor. Let the stripper set on the floor 5 minutes before scrubbing. Do not flood the floor.
4. With a blue or green pad or equivalent natural fiber brushes, pass over each tile section at least twice. Do not rush this procedure. It is crucial. If necessary, apply more solution to keep the floor wet so that it is wet at all times during the stripping procedure. Do not dry strip for any reason.
5. After stripping a section, pick up the stripping solution immediately with an automatic scrubber or clean mop and clear water.
6. If using a scrubber, pick up any stripper left behind with cool water and a clean mop. Additional rinsing is usually not necessary.
• Move the stripping operation to the next area of the floor and repeat the procedure.
• Regularly strip and refinish the floor, perhaps annually. If a new brand of finish is being applied after stripping, there is a good possibility that the new brand may not completely adhere to the old one. To prevent non-adherence, it is very important to remove the old finish completely.
7. Applying finish:
• See above for details on finish application. Do not rub the finish on. A coat of finish will dry to a sheen in about 45 minutes, depending on temperature and humidity. Apply at least three coats depending on the gloss desired.

MAINTENANCE IN RESIDENTIAL LOCATIONS

Vinyl floors are very durable but they are not indestructible. All floor coverings require some care to look their best, and many problems are preventable.

The type and frequency of traffic will determine the frequency of maintenance your floor needs. The type of floor and even the color will affect how much care may be necessary. For example, solid color floor will show scuffs, scratches, dirt and general wear to a greater debree than patterned tile floors. Of course, light colors will also show marks more readily than dark colors. Solid or light colored floors should receive extra maintenance attention.

Job Conditions Necessary:

1. AC/Heat fans must be operating to assure circulation and drying.
2. Water and plumbing in the building must be in working order.
3. The water heater must be connected and operating.
4. The floor area must have adequate lighting.
5. Electrical plug outlets in the floor area must be "hot" and properly grounded.
6. All debris and equipment must be removed from the floor area.
7. All spray painting and cleanup procedures that will generate air borne dust particles must be completed before floor preparation begins.

Below is a set of simple steps to follow to maintain your vinyl tile floor.

1. After the floor is installed, keep all traffic and furniture off for at least 24 hours. This will let the adhesive dry fully.
2. Wash the floor with a solution of neutral floor cleaner properly diluted to remove any soil that may be present and assure proper performance of the finish. Rinse with clear water and allow to dry.
3. Damp mop with two coats of shine-ease floor finish as directed on the label. Many luxury vinyl tiles have beveled edges or recessed grout lines. An even coat of floor finish should be applied to all levels of the tile surface to prevent soil build up in unprotected recessed areas.
4. Light daily sweeping or vacuuming will prevent dirt or grit particles being ground into the surface of the floor. If the floor is swept daily, a light weekly cleaning with a damp mop may be enough. If the damp mop is inadequate for the amount of soil, use a dilute solution of neutral floor cleaner or a good quality substitute as directed on the label.
5. Apply the solution to the floor with a sponge mop. After the soil deposits have been loosened from the floor, mop up the excess detergent and water to remove all the detergent. Then rinse the floor with clean warm water to ensure all residues are removed. Do not flood the floor with water. Any detergent film left on the floor may make it sticky and will hold tracked in dirt.
6. In time, traffic areas of the floor will become less glossy. When this occurs, thoroughly clean and dry the floor and apply a light coat of shine-ease floor finish.
• To apply, pour the liquid into a clean, shallow pan. Dip in a sponge mop and wring it out gently, leaving it saturated with the finish.
• Apply the finish to the floor by mopping in one direction to ensure a thin, even coat on the floor. Floor finish dries in about 30 minutes. If you want more than one coat, let each coat dry thoroughly before applying another.
7. Periodic buffing with a power buffer will help remove scuff marks and light scratches. Use a 3M white pad or equivalent.
8. Difficult scuff marks not removed by mopping can be removed using a nylon scouring pad (recommended for non-stick pants).Use a solution of neutral detergent and rub gently, then rinse with clean water.
9. Occasionally it may be necessary to strip the old layer of floor finish and apply a fresh coat. Follow the directions on the container of heavy duty floor finish stripper.
• Dilute the solution as directed and mop in onto the floor. Let it stand for 10 minutes, then mop up the solution and the old layer of floor finish.
• Rinse the floor with clean water, and allow it to dry fully.
• Apply shine-ease floor finish. Never use the same equipment for applying finish as you have used for removing it. Even small traces of stripper will prevent the new finish from adhering properly.

Preventative Maintenance for Residential Floors

• The preventive steps listed below will help reduce the likelyhood of damage to your floor and ensure that it retains its appearance.
• To prevent scratching or indentation, provide non-staining cups with flat under surfaces not less than 2 inches (50 mm) wide for the legs of heavy furniture or appliances.Equip office chairs and other rolling furniture with broad surface non-staining casters at least 2 inches (50mm) in diameter.
• Protect your floor against burns.Luxury vinyl tyle floors can be damaged by burns from lit cigarettes, matches, or other very hot items.
• Protect your floor from tracked in dir and grit by using mats at all outside entrances.Take time to remove any embedded grit particles frmo shoe soles before entering.Be aware that sneakers and other soft soled shoes can lead to scuff marks difficult to remove.Avoid the use of rubber-backed mats, as certain rubber compunds can stain vinyl.Avoid tracking in tar and asphalt from driveways as this can also discolor vinyl.
• All Azrock floors have good resistance to stains.They are not affected by most common household spills.However, any spill should be cleaned up immediately. The longer the spilled material is left on the floor, the greater the risk of permanently staining the floor.