When is the BestTime to Strip and Wax Floors or Steam Clean Carpets?

VIDEO INTERVIEW

Q & A:

In this interview, we'll talk with the President of System4 IPS about floor and carpet care. Chris Di Napoli is the co-founder of this franchise company based in New England. After 17 years in the business, he and his team have handled every type of client from every industry sector in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

Q. A customer recently thanked you for recommending carpet steam cleaning and floor stripping and waxing services. Could you describe the experience?

A. We were recently asked by our IT services company to do a walkthrough of their facility. There are more clients visiting their office than ever before and they need to keep their office clean and presentable. As I looked around, I saw the floors had completely lost their shine, and the carpets were stained in a few places. In addition to our regular janitorial services, I suggested they refinish the floors, which includes stripping and waxing them. In addition, completing a carpet steam cleaning and paying close attention to stain removal would make a considerable difference. Our client scheduled both services and was thrilled with the outcome.

Q. With 17 years of experience in the industry, what are the telltale signs that these periodic services should be ordered?

A. If your flooring appears dull or its shine has disappeared, it's time for a strip & wax service. When spots and spills have turned into stains or if heavy traffic or winter weather have caused the carpet to wear excessively, a steam and extraction service is needed.

Q. What are the greatest benefits that the clients who order these special services receive?

A. Whether it is luxury vinyl tile, laminate, concrete, hardwood floors, ceramic tile or terrazzo, flooring is expensive to install, repair, and replace. By continuously protecting floors with a few layers of wax, the floors remained sealed. It's important to distinguish between scrubbing and recoating or buffing. A full floor strip and wax requires expert knowledge. This service brings life back to flooring, restoring its appearance. Floors that are properly maintained will resist scratches, water damage, and wear and tear. When a floor loses its shine, water can now penetrate the grout and degrade the glue. Water can cause LVT corners to lift and peel, hardwood planks to crack, and exposed grout to collect dirt, grit, and grime. Mopping a worn or exposed floor won't get it clean. Essentially, janitors have a harder time keeping clean dull floors because dirt tends to accumulate and look unattractive.  The floors need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Frequent repair or replacement directly impacts the bottom line.

A stained carpet reflects poorly on a business or facility. As a result of the pandemic, employees and customers form lasting opinions based on appearance. As the carpet is steam cleaned, not only is the staining and discoloration removed, but the fibers are lifted, giving it a softer, plusher appearance. The carpet is given an extended lifespan by removing deep dirt that cannot be removed by vacuuming daily. Furthermore, odors are neutralized, allergens are eliminated, and durability is increased.

Q. Your clients span so many industries. What advice would you give them based on their industry? Are there any best practices for periodic floor and carpet maintenance? 

A. A facility's foot traffic and weather conditions can determine how often it should deep clean the carpets and flooring.

A commercial floor stripping and waxing service should be performed at least once a year. For floors that have not been maintained regularly, or that you don't know when they were last scrubbed and recoated, we don't recommend delaying a strip and wax for more than 12 months (1 year). Performing a thorough stripping and waxing will enable you to start from scratch, giving you a better understanding of future maintenance requirements. 

There is a difference between "strip & wax" vs "scrub & recoat". 

A scrub and recoat should be performed at least every six months in a facility with average foot traffic. Is it time to strip and wax or scrub and recoat? Here’s some pointers to help you determine at which stage your flooring is at.

The frequency of extraction carpet cleaning is higher. Cleaning your carpets once a year will probably suffice for a private home, but it won't be enough for a business environment. Depending on your industry and traffic levels, you should plan on a higher frequency to adequately protect your investment and ensure your expensive carpeting won’t have to be replaced too soon.

Simple rule of thumb is:

Every 3 months: High-spill businesses, like restaurants

Every 3-6 months: High-traffic businesses, like retail stores

Every 3 months: Medical facilities and offices

Every 6 months: Lower-traffic businesses, like offices

Q. Is there a waiting list for deep cleaning services at the moment?

A. Yes, the list is growing. Clients are sprucing up their facilities at this time of year, and we are quite busy. You will need to allow 2 to 3 weeks for us to put you on our schedule and complete the service. The results are worth the effort, even if it takes a little time. Commercial kitchens may take a bit longer since not every crew is trained to do this type of work, but we'll get it done. Reach out to us and we'll take care of it. 

By visiting our website and using our automated chat tool, you will receive a quick response if you know exactly which kind of service you need. A specialist in your geographic area will respond almost immediately. We provide free quotes quickly and easily. Everything is electronic. The quote can be reviewed, signed, and paid online. 

If you're not sure what you need, no worries, our experts can help and guide you. Start a chat conversation on our website. A sales representative in your area will arrange a meeting at a convenient time for you. They will know what questions to ask so that they can accurately assess your needs and make the appropriate recommendations.