Following Protocol: A Sign of a Well-Trained Technician
Recently we were hired for a post construction cleaning where the main focus was on a newly installed rubber floor. My customer mentioned that the job also included two additional areas – one with sheet vinyl and the other with tile and grout – but he didn’t provide a lot of details about these areas as they were of secondary concern. He asked that they be cleaned as needed.
Once done cleaning the rubber and sheet vinyl, our tech moved on to quickly “buzz over” the tile and grout. In most cases, an acidic cleaner would be used, but because cleaning this area was of minimal importance to the customer, our tech used a neutral cleaner with a 175 rotary floor machine and a medium brush. After cleaning the tile, he noticed that the floor looked hazy and matte in appearance. I instructed him to use an acid cleaner, typical for porcelain and ceramic tile, to remove any haze that may have been left from the grouting process.
Following proper protocol, he tested a small area first to ensure there were no adverse reactions between the floor and cleaning chemistry. The chemical fizzed on the surface and absorbed into the floor, etching the tile. He immediately realized that the tile was not porcelain or ceramic and informed me so that we could further troubleshoot.
I communicated with the job superintendent and we located attic stock to discover that the tile we were cleaning wasn’t porcelain or ceramic as we’d been advised. It was actually cement tile. Had my tech not been properly trained and educated, the floor could have been badly damaged or destroyed, requiring costly repairs or replacement. I also pointed out to the superintendent and project manager that per the manufacturer’s recommendations, the tile needed to be sealed to protect against potential everyday staining and etching from acidic-based products.
Time and time again, training and education are essential in commercial floor care. Our team did everything right on this job, but an under-educated technician from another company could have easily caused an emergency situation, costing time and money.
