Floor Care Technician flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Saponification

The alkaline conversion of fats and oils into water-soluble soap, which is why high-pH cleaners cut grease effectively but can damage wool and dull floor finish.

Dwell time

The period a cleaning solution stays on the surface before agitation, allowing detergent to emulsify soil; usually 3-10 minutes for floor cleaners.

1:64 dilution

A mixing ratio meaning one part concentrate to 64 parts water, equal to 2 fluid ounces of product per gallon of water.

Neutral cleaner

A cleaner with pH near 7 that lifts light soil without attacking floor finish, making it the default for routine damp mopping of finished floors.

Acidic cleaner use

Low-pH products dissolve mineral scale, rust, and hard-water film, but they etch marble, terrazzo, and concrete and should not contact those surfaces.

Particulate soil

Dry grit, sand, and dust that should be removed before wet cleaning, because wetting it turns it into an abrasive slurry that scratches finish.

Color-coded mopping

A zone system assigning distinct mop and bucket colors to restrooms, food areas, and general spaces to prevent cross-contamination between areas.

Wicking

The upward migration of soil or moisture through carpet backing and pile during drying, which leaves recurring spots unless the source is extracted and dried.

Over-concentration residue

Sticky film left when cleaner is mixed stronger than the label ratio; it attracts soil and makes the floor re-soil faster than a correctly diluted application.

Grazing-angle inspection

Holding a bright light low and nearly parallel to the floor so scratches, swirls, and gloss variation become visible instead of washing out under overhead light.

Gloss meter reading

A 60-degree reflectance measurement in gloss units; compare against a baseline for the same product rather than a universal pass threshold.

Finish blush

A whitish haze in floor finish caused by moisture trapped under the film, typically from applying coats before the previous coat dried or in high humidity.

Finish yellowing

A gradual amber discoloration of floor finish, usually from excessive coat build, repeated recoating without stripping, or incompatible products.

Calcium chloride test

ASTM F1869 method that measures moisture vapor emission from a concrete slab before coating or flooring installation to predict adhesion failure.

In-situ RH probe

ASTM F2170 method placing a probe in a drilled hole in concrete to measure internal relative humidity, a more direct moisture check than surface tests.

Straightedge flatness check

Laying a 10-foot straightedge on the subfloor and measuring gaps; resilient flooring generally tolerates about 3/16 inch deviation in 10 feet.

Telegraphing

Subfloor defects, debris, or texture showing through thin resilient flooring as bumps or ridges, indicating surface preparation was inadequate.

Soil transfer test

Rubbing a suspect mark with a white cloth and neutral cleaner; transfer means soil, no transfer means finish damage or substrate defect.

Coating failure taxonomy

A classification of finish problems into scratches, scuffs, blush, yellowing, and peeling, each with a distinct cause and repair path.

Baseline documentation

A recorded set of photos, gloss readings, dates, and product data taken at the same locations each cycle to support wear claims and scheduling.

Seam and cove inspection

Probing seams, cove base, and thresholds for gaps or lift, since these edges admit water and are common origins of subfloor damage.

Stripping sequence

Dry soil removal, stripper application, dwell, agitation, wet-vac of slurry, two clean-water rinses, and full drying before any new finish.

Stripper incompatibility

High-pH strippers react dangerously with acids and chlorine products, releasing heat or gas, so mixing chemicals during stripping is prohibited.

Thin-coat finish rule

Applying multiple thin coats, each dried to touch before the next, prevents trapped solvent, blush, and uneven film build.

Sealer versus finish

Sealer bonds to the substrate and fills porosity; finish forms the wear layer and gloss. Both are used together on porous resilient tile.

High-speed burnishing

Running a 1500-3000 rpm machine with a soft pad to restore gloss on cured finish; excess heat or pressure burns the film permanently.

Screen and recoat

Lightly abrading a clean finish with a screen or pad, then applying new coats, which restores gloss without a full strip and rebuild.

Spot stripping

Removing finish from an isolated damaged area, neutralizing, and recoating to blend with surrounding film, avoiding a full-floor strip.

Full strip trigger

A full strip and rebuild is indicated when finish is contaminated, yellowed, peeling, or has too many coats to recoat evenly.

Cure and traffic window

Typical floor finish accepts foot traffic in 30-60 minutes, furniture after 24 hours, and heavy rolling loads after 24-72 hours.

Carpet drying window

Extracted carpet should dry within 24-48 hours using air movers; slower drying promotes mold, delamination, and recurring wicking spots.

Power stretching

Using a power stretcher to re-tension loose carpet from the wall rather than patching, restoring a taut surface and closing stretched seams.