Have you taken a good look at your floors lately? If the hardwood is looking a little dull or the tile grout seems grimy no matter how much you scrub, it might be time to call in the pros. Getting your floors professionally cleaned and waxed can bring back that just-installed shine and make your whole house look cleaner. But with all the options out there for floor waxing services, how do you choose? This article will walk you through what to look for in a quality floor waxing company, what the process entails, and tips to make those freshly buffed floors last. With a little help from the experts, you can give your floors a makeover that makes your home shine.
Why Hire Professional Floor Waxing Services?
Cost-Effective
Floor waxing services actually save you money in the long run. They have the proper equipment and products to get the job done efficiently. DIY waxing often requires multiple coats and a lot of time to get good results, not to mention the cost of renting equipment. Professionals can wax and buff floors in a fraction of the time, so you get gleaming floors without the hassle.
Expert Results
Floor waxing is an art form. Professionals have years of experience and know the tricks of the trade to get floors shining like new. They understand the chemistry behind different floor types and waxes to get the best, longest-lasting finish. An expert hand will get floors smoother and shinier than any DIY attempt.
Healthier Home
Professional floor waxing improves the air quality in your home by sealing in dust and allergens. Their commercial-grade sealants and polishes create an impenetrable barrier against pollutants. Proper floor sealing and polishing also prevents stains by protecting against spills and splatters. Clean, polished floors make for a hygienic space, especially important for homes with children, pets or allergy sufferers.
Added Value
Glossy, well-maintained floors increase the value of your home. Should you decide to sell, professionally polished floors are appealing to potential buyers and can increase offers. Waxing and sealing also protects floors from damage, keeping them looking new for longer. For rental properties, professional floor care ensures damage-free, attractive floors that appeal to tenants. Keep your investment secure and make the most of your floors’ lifespan through professional waxing and polishing.
What to Expect From Floor Waxing Services
Initial Consultation
The floor waxing technician will first meet with you for a free consultation to evaluate the condition and type of your floors. They will determine if waxing is suitable and recommend a treatment plan to restore your floors to their former glory.
Preparing the Floors
On the scheduled appointment day, the technician will prepare your floors by scrubbing away built-up dirt and grime. Any remaining wax or sealant is stripped off. The floors are then vacuumed and mopped until squeaky clean. This process opens up the pores of the flooring material so the new wax can penetrate deeply.
Applying the Wax
With the floors prepped, the technician applies two to three coats of wax, waiting for each coat to dry in between applications. The wax is massaged into the floor using special pads and buffing equipment. Multiple thin coats provide better protection than a single thick coat. The final coat is then burnished to a high sheen.
Protecting the Finish
To protect that mirror-like finish, you’ll need to avoid walking on or placing furniture on the floors for at least 4 to 6 hours. When the wax has fully cured, the floors should be protected from scratching by using felt pads under furniture legs and doormats at entrances. With proper care and maintenance, a waxed floor can last 6-12 months before needing reapplication.
Waxing hardwood or stone floors requires expertise to achieve a glossy finish and long-lasting protection. By hiring a professional floor waxing service, you can ensure your floors are restored to their best shine without hassle. A small investment for gleaming floors that make a big impact.
Types of Floor Waxing Services Offered
Basic Floor Buffing
The most common floor waxing service is buffing, which involves scrubbing away built-up dirt and grime and then polishing the floor to restore the shine. Floor buffing utilizes abrasive pads and polishing pads along with wax or polish to scrub and re-coat hardwood, linoleum, tile, and stone floors. Basic floor buffing will get your floors clean and bring back their luster but won’t necessarily fill in scratches or imperfections.
Floor Stripping and Refinishing
For floors that have years of built-up wax or are very scuffed and scratched, floor stripping is needed before new wax or polish can be applied. Floor stripping removes the existing protective coating using heavy-duty chemical strippers and scrubbers. Once stripped, the floor is then re-sanded to smooth the surface before new finish coats are applied. Floor stripping and refinishing will make older floors look brand new again and should be done every 3-5 years to maintain quality.
Concrete Floor Polishing
Concrete floor polishing is a multi-step process that uses abrasive tools and polishing pads to grind down concrete floors and expose the aggregate underneath, creating an ultra-smooth, glossy surface. Concrete polishing transforms dull, drab concrete into an attractive flooring option that’s also durable and low-maintenance. The polishing process works by starting with coarser grits of polishing pads and progressively moving to finer and finer grits until the desired level of shine is achieved. Advanced polishing techniques can create mirror-like finishes or matte, slip-resistant surfaces.
Wood Floor Refinishing
Wood floor refinishing renews and protects worn hardwood floors. It involves sanding down the existing finish and surface of the wood, then applying 2-3 coats of new protective finish like polyurethane. Refinishing hardwood floors should be done when water damage, deep scratches, or worn areas are present. It revives the natural beauty of wood floors and protects them for years to come. For the best results, wood floor refinishing is best left to professionals with experience working with various wood types.
How Often Should You Get Floor Waxing Services?
How frequently you need floor waxing services depends on several factors, including the type of floors you have and how much traffic they get. For high-traffic commercial floors like in office buildings or retail stores, professional floor waxing every 3 to 6 months is typically recommended to keep floors looking their best. For residential floors with normal foot traffic, a good rule of thumb is to schedule floor waxing services every 6 to 12 months.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors usually need refinishing every few years to protect the wood and restore the shine. If your hardwood floors get heavy use or show significant wear and tear, you may need professional floor waxing as often as once a year. For lightly used hardwood floors in good condition, floor waxing every other year is probably sufficient. In between professional waxing, be sure to sweep, dust and damp mop your hardwood floors regularly to prevent scratches and keep dirt from building up.
Vinyl or Linoleum Floors
For vinyl, linoleum or laminate floors, floor waxing every 6-12 months is typically needed to protect the surface and prevent dulling. These floors tend to show scuffs and stains more easily, so frequent mopping or sweeping in between professional services is also important. Waxing vinyl or linoleum floors more often than every 6 months risks building up too much wax, which can make the floors slippery or prevent them from “breathing”.
Tile Floors
Tile floors, like ceramic, porcelain or natural stone, usually only need professional floor waxing every 1 to 2 years. While tile itself is very durable, the grout between tiles can get dirty and discolored over time. Floor waxing tile floors helps seal the grout and protect it from stains, keeping your tile floors looking clean and bright. For high-traffic tile floors, annual floor waxing may be needed. In between services, sweep and damp mop tile floors regularly to prevent grit and grime from scratching or dulling the surface.
Getting floor waxing services at the recommended frequency for your specific floor type and usage level will help maximize the beauty and lifespan of your floors. Maintaining a regular cleaning regimen in between professional waxing is also key to keeping your floors shining like new.
Floor Waxing Services FAQ
Do I need to wax my floors?
Floor waxing is not always necessary, but it does provide some benefits. Waxing seals and protects your floors, keeping them looking shiny and new. It also guards against stains, scratches and water damage. For high-traffic, commercial areas or wood floors, waxing is highly recommended to prevent wear and tear. For residential floors or low-traffic areas, waxing is more optional but can still help your floors last longer.
How often should I have my floors waxed?
Most floor waxing services recommend re-waxing every 3 to 6 months for commercial floors, and every 6 to 12 months for residential floors. The more foot traffic your floors see, the more often they’ll need a new coat of wax. You’ll know it’s time for a re-wax when your floors start to look dull or show signs of damage. Professional floor waxing technicians can evaluate your floors and recommend a customized waxing schedule based on the floor type and usage.
What’s the difference between waxing, buffing and polishing?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are some differences:
•Waxing applies a protective coating to floors that fills in microscopic scratches and imperfections, leaving floors shiny and smooth. Wax needs to be reapplied regularly.
•Buffing uses abrasive pads to polish floor surfaces, smoothing out scratches and imperfections and bring back shine. Buffing provides temporary results and floors will need re-buffing.
•Polishing chemically restores and protects floor finishes using specialized polishes and polishing pads. Polishing can provide longer-lasting results than buffing alone.
For most floors, a combination of these techniques—waxing, then buffing and polishing—will yield the best results. Professional floor care services have the proper equipment, polishes and experience to make your floors shine like new.
How much does professional floor waxing cost?
The cost of professional floor waxing and polishing services depends on several factors, including:
•The square footage of the area – Larger areas will cost more due to the amount of time and materials required.
•The condition of your floors – Floors in poor condition needing extensive restoration will cost more than floors just needing routine maintenance.
•The number of coats of wax or polish applied – Additional coats mean additional time and product, increasing the overall cost.
•Any additional services like buffing, polishing or floor repairs – These add-on services will also impact the total price.
On average, you can expect to pay between $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot for professional floor waxing and polishing services. For an average sized home, you’re looking at $
Conclusion
So there you have it – a quick guide to getting your floors looking shiny and new again with professional floor waxing services. Whether you just need a quick refresh or a full restoration, the pros have the skills, tools, and products to breathe new life into your floors. And it’s way easier than trying to DIY – just call up a reputable company, book a cleaning, and let them handle the mess and hassle. You’ll be glad you did when you’re walking on gorgeously glossy floors again. Your feet will thank you, your guests will be impressed, and your inner clean freak will rejoice. Don’t put it off – give your floors the care they deserve and get that satisfying shine back pronto with the help of floor waxing pros. You won’t regret it!