Slippery Resilient Tile Floor

Slippery resilient tile can be a hazard. Reasons for the floor to be slippery include dirt being present on the surface; floor finish is powdering; an inferior product is used; dust mop is treated excessively or treated with an inferior product; dirty tools were used; an excessive number of coats of finish used; or coats of finish are too thin. Solutions to these problems are provided below.

Cause: Dirt is present on the surface of floor. Solution: Entrance mats and daily cleaning with a dust mop is needed.

Cause: Floor finish is powdering. Solution: Using Unitex Melt Down Stripper and a floor machine with black pad, strip the floor. Rinse with Unitex Daily Clean. Apply finish to the floor per label directions.

Cause: Poor or inferior products were used. Solution: Make sure the label of the product being used says it is slip resistant. A strip and re-application of the proper finish may be needed.

Cause: Dust mop over-treated and/or inferior product is used. Solution: Use non-oil-type dust mop treatments and apply to dust mop per label directions. Use Unitex Daily Clean to rinse floor thoroughly.

Cause: Tools used (mops, buckets, wringers) were dirty. Solution: Obtain clean tools and clean the floor using Unitex Daily Clean.

Cause: Excessive build up of the number of coats of finish on floor. Solution: Using Unitex Melt Down Stripper and a floor machine with a black pad, strip the floor. Rinse with Unitex Daily Clean. Apply finish to the floor per label directions.

Cause: Coats of finish are too thin on floor. Solution: Apply more coats of finish to floor per label directions.

Cause: A foreign substance on top of the surface, such as water, ice melt, general moisture. Solution: Make sure to have adequate walk-off matting. Generally, three steps with each foot should touch the mat, equating to a twenty foot mat by outside entrances. 

Warning: Always test material for colorfastness, follow label directions, and never mix product unless specified in the label directions. Each situation reacts differently and results may vary.