The proper way to install tack strip in terrazzo is to first drill and then use aluminum nails. The most common damage done to the state of Florida’s terrazzo floors is chip hole damage from pulling nails from tack strip that was installed on terrazzo floors and improper installation which causes holes in the floor. I wanted to cover a picture of those improper nails. Often when installers put in carpet, they’ll install tack strip not made for concrete or terrazzo floors in the floors. Installers generally use wood tack strip. Installers will pound or shoot wood nails into the floor, frequently chipping the area in the terrazzo floor around the nail before we even have a chance to cut the nails off.

The proper way to remove tack strip in terrazzo floors is to pull out the strip and then cut the heads of the nails off. Even using this method, it’s impossible to avoid damage caused by tack strip the doesn’t use proper, concrete, nails.

Improperly installed tack strip

The black nails with the smaller heads are the improper nails for this terrazzo job.  If you want to see if your tack strip was likely installed correctly, see if you have small black nails or larger silver nails. You can also pull up some tack strip to see if there is any evidence of damage from tack strip that has been pulled up in the past. At SafeDry, we remove fifty to seventy thousand chip holes from nails a year.  We’d like to spread this information because we’d rather be working on the floor than repairing chip holes.  Although we charge for chip hole repair, it’s not a profitable repair for us. If you pull a nail, you will cause damage. Pulling nails instead of cutting them is the #1 cause of terrazzo damage.

Terrazzo; The heart of Florida’s Mid Century Modern Homes

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Florida’s mid-century modern homes have many things in common. From the matching, toilet, sink, bathtub and tile, bathroom color schemes to the sliding glass doors and almost all had terrazzo flooring.

Most of Florida’s terrazzo flooring has been covered. Today many are tearing up the wood, vinyl, tile and carpet and going back to the terrazzo. Many are also saving their green, pink, yellow and blue toilets, sinks and bathtubs as well. When terrazzo flooring is properly restored it becomes the focal point of the entire home. These homes were designed with the terrazzo flooring in mind. I have had many people tell me, “If you don’t like terrazzo, you don’t like mid-century modern.

I have to agree. Terrazzo can make a home. When these old floors were installed the matrix was, mostly, marble chips and Portland cement. When polished these floors take on the shine of marble.

I have terrazzo in my house and I love it. Today these floors can be sealed with penetrating sealers that protect as well as a topical sealer. The biggest advantage to these sealers is they do not scratch up in a few weeks. I have seen topical sealers scratched up by the time home owners move in. imagine paying good money to have your floors restored. Now your moved in. You look at your floor and it is full of scratches. This tends to be very annoying to home owners. They are not on the floor. They are in the floor. The sealer I use protects against water based as well as oil based stain. The most important advancement is that it also protects against acid etching. Tear up your old floors and show off the heart of you, Florida mid-century modern home. Terrazzo flooring, Florida’s buried treasure. Terrazzo; The heart of Florida’s mid-century modern homes. If you have any questions feel free to email me @ joe@SafeDry.com or give me a call @877-824-0501 for a free on site estimate or any questions. Thank you. Joe Martin SafeDry President.

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Terrazzo Is the Hot Floor In Florida

Over the years I have many people tell me their real estate agent told them terrazzo floors are dated and people do not like them. For the last few years I have been telling people their agents are wrong. I have not heard anyone say that for over a year. What I hear, almost every day, is that terrazzo is the hot floor in Florida right now. Terrazzo has been on the comeback for many years. Now it has arrived. Many things have contributed to this comeback. For one the techniques used to restore terrazzo floors.

Not everyone has changed. Many do floors the same way they did ten years ago. The word has gotten out that not every terrazzo restoration company is equal. Some floors need constant upkeep, while others never look good to begin with. One customer, whose floor we restored this week, has used several companies. Not all were bad companies. When he saw one of our floor, a few weeks ago, he knew he was seeing another level of restoration. That being said even some other companies he used, restored the floor to look good. We are not the only reason terrazzo is making a comeback. Diamond polishing gives you a great looking, long lasting,, durable terrazzo floor. When floors are done properly they look like marble. That is because they are mostly marble. Terrazzo has come all the way back. No need to coat, or strip again.

With diamond polished terrazzo the floors shine like glass, but has no coating. Coating scratch up quickly, turn yellow and need stripped and recoated. Nothing can be harder then your terrazzo floor. Today you can have your floor restored and it last for eight to over ten years before it need polished up. There is seldom a professional cleaning needed as the pours are so tight dirt has a hard time getting into the floor. We also use a penetrating sealer that does everything a topical sealer does to protect your floor. Terrazzo is the hot floor in Florida right now and it will be for many years to come

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