How often should a commercial floor be stripped and waxed?
As a general rule, a high-traffic commercial floor is stripped and waxed once or twice a year, and once a year in less busy areas. Between strippings, quarterly buffing and, if needed, a recoat of finish keep the floor shiny and delay the next stripping. Here is how to adjust this frequency to your space.
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The recommended frequency based on traffic
- Entrances, lobbies and main corridors, retail stores: stripping 1 to 2 times a year.
- Schools, daycares and gyms: stripping once a year, often during the summer or school breaks.
- Low-traffic offices and clinics: stripping every 12 to 18 months depending on the condition of the finish.
- All areas: buffing (polishing) about every three months.
Full stripping, recoating or buffing: what is the difference?
Stripping removes all the old layers of wax down to the flooring, then several new coats of finish are applied. It is the most complete job, done when the finish is yellowed, flaking or loaded with embedded dirt.
Recoating means deep cleaning and adding one or two coats of finish over a finish that is still in good condition. It costs less and lets you space out the strippings. Buffing polishes the existing finish at high speed to bring back its shine.
Signs that stripping is needed
- The floor stays dull or yellowish even right after washing.
- Traffic areas are worn down to the flooring.
- Dirt is trapped between the layers of wax.
- Winter calcium has left a white film near the entrances.
The best time of year
In Quebec, many businesses have their floors stripped in the spring, once the winter salt and calcium are gone, and apply a recoat in the fall to protect the finish before winter. Schools and daycares take advantage of the summer or school breaks.
A maintenance plan to space out strippings
Daily sweeping and washing with a neutral product, effective entrance mats in winter and regular buffing can significantly extend the life of a finish. HygiePro assesses your floors free of charge and suggests the most economical frequency for your space.