top of page
Case Study: Vinyl Composite Tile (VCT)  Restoration

 

Client Overview:

  • Facility Type: High School

  • Location: Burlington, Wisconsin

  • Building Age: 100 years

 

Problem: High School, located in a 100-year-old building, faced significant challenges with its flooring:

​

  • VCT Floors: Located in the basement, these floors had accumulated layers of wax which trapped moisture, leading to severe discoloration and buckling of the vinyl composition tiles (VCT).

  • Terrazzo Floors: These floors, although durable, needed rejuvenation to meet modern standards for appearance and safety.

 

Key Challenges:

​

  • The building lacked an elevator, prohibiting the use of heavy equipment like propane burnishers and auto-scrubbers.

  • Traditional flooring maintenance was not addressing the underlying moisture issues or enhancing the floors' aesthetic and functional qualities.

 

Solution Implemented by Interior Environmental Management (IEM):

​

  1. Assessment and Planning:

    • Initial inspection revealed the extent of wax buildup and moisture issues.

  2. Wax Removal:

    • IEM employed traditional stripping methods to remove the old wax from the VCT floors, ensuring all residues were eliminated to prevent future moisture entrapment.

  3. Cleaning:

    • The floors were thoroughly cleaned using Split Restorative Cleaner, which effectively prepares surfaces for subsequent treatments without leaving harmful residues.

  4. Surface Restoration:

    • Proprietary 3-step Diamond Pad Process: This process involved using diamond-impregnated pads to polish and hone the VCT tiles, restoring their original luster.

    • MINERAL ARMOR REJUVENATOR: Applied using a side-by-side machine, this rejuvenator helped in restoring the floor's appearance while preparing it for the protective coating.

  5. Application of MINERAL ARMOR PROTECTOR:

    • Coating Application: Four coats of MINERAL ARMOR PROTECTOR were applied with a microfiber flat mop. This ceramic coating was chosen for its durability, ability to allow moisture vapor transmission, and its enhancement of the floor's appearance.

    • Application Method: Each coat was applied with a microfiber flat mop, with a drying time of 20 minutes between coats. This method was selected for its efficiency in the absence of mechanical applicators.

  6. Post-Application Care:

    • Maintenance: The floors are now maintained by mopping with a solution of MINERAL ARMOR REJUVENATOR. This maintenance routine helps in sustaining the floor's condition, preventing organic growth, and maintaining slip resistance.

 

Results:

  • Moisture Management: The new coating system allows moisture to pass through, preventing future buckling and discoloration.

Basement level school hallways coated with multiple layers of wax, trapping moisture below the tiles, causing discoloration. 

After restoration with MINERAL ARMOR , a non-film forming  coating that creates a "breathable" surface that allows the transfer of moisture through the substrate.  The custodians can easily maintain the flooring by using MINERAL ARMOR REJUVENATOR , a highly concentrated product that continues to enhance the floor's integrity, while cleaning. 

bottom of page