Removing Dirt Build-Up On Asphalt Tile

PART 1–GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

1. This procedure includes guidance on cleaning and sealing asphalt floor tiles.
2. Asphalt tiles are very hard, resilient floor tiles, composed of asbestos fibers, finely ground limestone fillers, mineral pigments and asphaltic or resinous binders. The tiles are generally set in a mastic over a wood or concrete subfloor.
3. For guidance on replacing cracked or missing asphalt tiles, see 09660-02-R.
4. See “General Project Guidelines” for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
   1. Safety Precautions
   2. Historic Structures Precautions
   3. Submittals
   4. Quality Assurance
   5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
   6. Project/Site Conditions
   7. Sequencing and Scheduling
   8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
      These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

1.02 SUBMITTALS

1. Control Sample Panels: The Contractor shall clean a 4’-0” by 4’-0” bay of the existing asphalt floor tile on each different color for review by the Contracting Officer’s representative. Locations of sample floor bays to be selected by the Contracting Officer’s representative.

1.03 QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. The general objectives for cleaning the asphalt tile floor are to remove dirt, grime and protective coatingsfrom the surface without damaging the underlyingmaterial, and to give all the flooring a clean uniformappearance.

PART 2–PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURERS

1. Tru-Test Manufacturing company
   Cary, IL

2.02 MATERIALS

CAUTION: Avoid using solvents to clean this material. Solvents will soften and eventually dissolve the material.

1. A non-ammoniated liquid wax stripper/floor cleaner for cleaning asphalt floor tiles, such as “Tru-Test Floor Stripper FS10” (General Paint and Chemical Company), or approved equal.
2. Clean, potable water

2.03 EQUIPMENT

1. Broom or vacuum
2. Mop and bucket
3. Stiff bristle brushes

PART 3–EXECUTION

3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

1. Cleaning and Protection of New Floor Tiles: Perform the following operations immediately upon completion of synthetic flexible composite flooring.
   1. Sweep or vacuum floor thoroughly.
   2. Do not wash floor until time period recommended by synthetic flexible composite flooring manufacturer has elapsed to allow synthetic flexible composite flooring to become well sealed in adhesive.
   3. Damp mop floor, being careful to remove black marks and excessive soil.
   4. Remove any excess adhesive or other surface blemishes, using appropriate cleaner recommended by synthetic flexible composite flooring manufacturers.
   5. Apply protective floor polish to synthetic flexible composite flooring surfaces free from soil, excess adhesive or surface blemishes. Use commercially available metal cross-linked acrylic product acceptable to synthetic flexible composite flooring manufacturer.
2. Cleaning Existing Asphalt Floor Tiles: Removal of polish coatings should be performed after every three or four polish coatings in order to prevent yellowing and dirt build-up in the polish coating.
   1. Thoroughly clean all the existing asphalt floor tiles and remove existing thermoplastic surface coatings using a non-ammoniated wax stripper, containing detergent and surfactants diluted in hot water and augmented by scrubbing with bristle brushes.
   2. Rinse off all cleaned asphalt floor tiles with water and mop dry.
   3. Once all floor tiles have been installed (as described in 09660-02-R) and cleaned (as described above), mop with a thermoplastic coating and buff with organic plasticizers.