Finishing the job
Protecting the new floor
Depending on the type of worksite you're at, you might need to put up signs or barriers to stop people from entering the area until the adhesive has fully cured.
In high traffic areas you can also put a protective covering over the floor to minimise the chance of damage.
If you do, make sure the covering doesn't have a rubber or latex backing that might discolour the floor surface.
Slide the first board under the object as you lift it off the floor one side at a time. Then put another board beside the first one and push the object over the boards.
Don't roll or drag the object directly across the new flooring material.
Commercial floors should be protected from rolling loads for at least 72 hours after the installation is finished.
Housekeeping
Take all your rubbish and materials with you, except for left-over pieces of floor covering that might be useful to the client for future repairs.
Be particularly careful with hazardous products that need to be disposed of in an approved way.
Don't put materials or rubbish in doorways or other access ways, because they'll probably get knocked over and end up being a trip hazard.
Keep everything well stacked and out of everyone's way.
Maintenance
It's important to give the floor a good clean once the job is completed.
You need to make sure that there is no grit left behind that could scratch the floor and no marks or dirt that might look unsightly.
Be careful not to over-wet the floor in its initial clean. Although most flooring adhesives have a good resistance to moisture once the adhesive has cured, it often takes a few days for that level of resistance to be achieved.
This is especially the case when alkaline cleaning liquids are used.
Learning activity
Audio 7 (mp3 |6|KB)Go to the Armstrong videos page at:
Armstrong vinyl installation videos
Select 'Vinyl sheet installation video - Part 6'.
Watch the video and then answer the following questions:
What are the recommended methods for carrying out the 'initial maintenance'?
What coloured pad should you fit to the floor polisher?