If floors could talk…
A look back on
the history and the future of floor restoration
Gone are the days when floor restoration teams were set with a
hatchet hammer, sandpaper and wax. In the early 1900s, if you could drive 38
nails a minute, you were hired, but considered slow. Today, you can size up a
facility floor-restoration project with an infrared smartphone, and select from
ergonomically designed power tools matched to the precise needs of the job.
As a leader in the floor care industry, Advance thought it
would be interesting to take a quick peek at the past and future of floor care
and restoration.
Great Expectations
Wood, tile, concrete -- each require a different approach, and
on top of that, they may be coated with anything from anti-slip to high-gloss
treatments. Although the physical work has gotten easier, advances in flooring
materials, tools, cleaning agents and regulations have added complexity to the
work that hands-on craftspeople love to do.
Another way that restoration has changed over time is that the
more we learn about allergens, dust, mold and toxins, the more we depend on
facility managers and janitors to keep us well.
An interest in eco-friendly and LEED-certified materials is also on the
rise.
All You Have You Owe to Carpet
According to Hardwood Floors Magazine, floor care and
restoration leaped forward with the advent of carpeting. Seen as a rescue from
the tedious work of waxing floors,
its popularity soared in the 1960s -- running wood-flooring
factories out of business.
The outcome was that a whole new industry was born. In search
of new sources of income, displaced wood workers began to make a point of
offering their services to victims of fire, even watching the news for tips on
who might be in need. By the time the wood floor industry saw signs of
recovery, so many workers had left that new workers had to be trained -- fast.
This sparked the development of training programs and trade associations as the
industry became more complex.
Aging Buildings Hide Treasure
Thanks to the construction booms of the 1920s and 1940s we now
have aging buildings in need of restoration. This raises a number of issues,
for instance:
●
Will a neglected, grime covered floor be damaged in the
process of polishing it for the first time in decades?
●
Are original materials still available?
●
Will contemporary materials have the same look as the
old -- many of which are now banned due to lead or other toxins.
●
What if no color photos are available from the
building’s original use?
These are questions that came up as a part of the St. Paul,
Minn. historic Union Depot’s restoration of 2012. As you can see here, the outcome is stunning.
Next Up?
Based on highlights of an industry convention coming up in
Sept. 2016, The Experience, you’re likely to see new
smartphone-based tools designed to take environmental readings of salt, dust, humidity, rain,
vibration, solar radiation and thermal shock resistance. As capability expands,
training may become more specialized. Trade associations such as the Restoration Industry Association seem to be ready to help workers
stay informed.
Restoring floors is one thing; cleaning them is another. This
October, visit Advance at the ISSA/INTERCLEAN®
One Show in Chicago to show you how it’s done right. Hope to see you there.
Sources:
History
Wahlgren,
Kim. “The History of the Wood Flooring Industry.” HardwoodFloorsMag.com 31 Dec.
1999
Union
Depot
(Flooring
story begins at 3:00 mark)
Smartphone app
