The Difference is Clear - EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish vs Traditional Acrylic Floor Wax!
When it comes to keeping your floors looking great, there are a lot of options out there. But not all floor finishes are created equal. In fact, traditional acrylic floor wax is often inferior to EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish in several ways.
First and foremost, traditional acrylic floor wax is simply not as durable as other types of floor finishes. Because it is a relatively soft material, it can be easily scratched or scuffed, which can cause it to lose its shine and become discolored. This is especially true in high-traffic areas, like hallways or entryways, where foot traffic can quickly wear down the wax. EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is designed to be incredibly durable. It's specifically formulated to resist scuffs, scratches, and other damage that can occur from foot traffic, spills, and other sources. That means that you can expect your floors to look great for much longer when you use EPIC compared to traditional acrylic floor wax.
EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is also designed to be extremely low maintenance. Unlike traditional wax, which requires regular stripping, buffing, and recoating, EPIC can be simply cleaned with microfiber mop and water to maintain a shine that will last for several years. This not only saves time and money on maintenance, but it also reduces the amount of chemicals and waste that go into maintaining your floors.
In addition to being more durable and easier to maintain, EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is also more environmentally friendly than traditional wax. It's made with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals that can be released into the air during the application and curing process. By using EPIC, you can help reduce your environmental impact without sacrificing the quality or appearance of your floors.
Another advantage of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is that it can be applied to a wider range of surfaces than traditional wax. While wax is typically used only on floors like VCT or sheet vinyl, EPIC can also be used on ceramic tile and grout, terrazzo, stone, and more. This versatility makes it a more flexible and cost-effective solution for a wide range of applications.
Overall, there are many reasons why EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is a superior choice to traditional acrylic floor wax. Its durability, low-maintenance, environmental friendliness, and versatility make it a smart investment for anyone looking to keep their floors looking great for years to come.
This is an untouched photo of a test floor in a breakroom at a local University. The tiles in top 1/2 of the picture have been coated with EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish. The bottom tiles have been coated with traditional acrylic wax. Notice, that after just 6 months, the traditional wax is dull, dirty, and discolored and the EPIC coated section is still clear, bright, and shiny despite it receiving the same amount of wear and tear!
How to Properly Clean and Seal Ceramic Tile and Grout
Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles are a popular choice for floors, walls, and even countertops due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. However, over time, dirt and grime can accumulate in the grout lines between the tiles, making them appear dirty and unsightly. To maintain the cleanliness and appearance of your ceramic tile and grout, it's essential to identify dirty grout and tile and apply a sealer to prevent future contamination.
Dirty grout and tile are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Here are some signs that your ceramic tile and grout need cleaning:
o Discolored Grout Lines: If your grout lines have turned yellow, brown, or black, they are likely dirty and in need of cleaning.
o Stains: Stubborn stains caused by spills, dirt, and grime can also discolor grout and tile.
o Mold and Mildew: Moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow on grout lines, which not only makes them look unsightly but also poses a health hazard.
o Foul Odors: Dirt and grime can create unpleasant odors, especially in areas that are damp or humid.
Dirty, smelly grout joints are a challenge that can’t be solved with a mop. We begin our tile and grout cleaning process using specialized equipment, utilizing a powerful cleaning tool designed specifically for cleaning tile and grout. The tool uses high-pressure water and vacuum suction to remove dirt, grime, and stains from ceramic tiles and grout lines quickly and efficiently. Once deep cleaned, we then apply our high-performance coating.
EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish creates a single membrane across tile and grout floors, permanently sealing the grout joints from all contamination. Available in gloss, satin, and matte finishes. Coated tile and grout floors look great, smell great, and are easy to maintain for years to come. Contact us today for a lasting solution to your dirty grout problems!
We begin our tile and grout cleaning process using specialized equipment, utilizing a powerful cleaning tool designed specifically for cleaning tile and grout. We apply a thin coat of a water-based urethane sealer to create a permanent barrier to prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the grout.
How Easy is it to Maintain a Floor Coated with EPIC Water Based Urethane?
EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is a durable and high-performance coating that provides excellent protection for commercial floors. EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is an excellent replacement for acrylic wax that saves a tremendous amount of money, time, labor, energy, and materials on floorcare. One coat lasts 3-5 years, plus it requires less labor and product! To ensure that your floor maintains its quality and appearance over time, it's important to follow a regular maintenance schedule. Here are some steps to help you maintain a floor coated with EPIC water-based floor finish:
Sweep and Vacuum Regularly
Sweeping and vacuuming your floor on a regular basis is essential to prevent dirt, dust, and debris from scratching the finish. Use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove loose dirt and debris. Make sure to remove all debris from corners and hard-to-reach areas.
Damp Mop as Needed
Damp mopping your floor regularly helps to remove dirt and grime that can build up over time. Use a clean, damp mop and a pH-neutral cleaner that is safe for use on water-based finishes. Avoid using ammonia or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the finish. Be sure to rinse the mop frequently to avoid spreading dirt and grime around the floor.
Address Spills Promptly
If a spill occurs on your floor, clean it up immediately to prevent it from damaging the finish. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe up the spill, then follow up with a damp mop and cleaner as needed.
Use Entrance Mats
Placing entrance mats at the entryways to your building helps to prevent dirt, dust, and debris from being tracked onto the floor. This reduces the amount of cleaning required and helps to preserve the finish.
Refinish as Needed
Over time, the finish on your floor may become worn or scratched. If this occurs, you may need to refinish the floor to restore its appearance and protect it from further damage. Consult with a professional floor maintenance company to determine the best course of action for your specific flooring material.
Avoid Excessive Water
Excessive water can damage the finish on your floor, so it's important to avoid using too much water when cleaning. Use a damp mop rather than a soaking wet mop and avoid leaving standing water on the floor.
By following these maintenance tips, you can help to ensure that your floor coated with EPIC water-based floor finish remains in top condition for years to come. Regular cleaning and prompt attention to spills, along with the use of entrance mats and avoiding excessive water, can all help to protect your investment and keep your floors looking great.
Learn more about EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish and how you can revolutionize your floor care routine! Resource Savings - UDT (ultradt.com)
Patient Room - Traditional acrylic wax is soft, discolors, and dulls quickly. EPIC’s High Performance floor finish is the perfect solution to a long-lasting beautiful floor!
Problems with Waxing and Stripping Traditional Acrylic Wax Floors?
Floor strippers are widely recognized as some of the most powerful and dangerous chemicals used in commercial cleaning. Floor strippers pose a potential health risk to cleaning staff, can affect building occupants, have environmental consequences and create disruption to the business. With all these problems why do we continue to use them and what can be done to eliminate their use?
Floors need to be protected. Without any protection the floor tile will sustain damage quickly. Traditional wax finishes used to protect floors are not durable. They get softer over time and dirt becomes embedded in the finish. The floor appearance degrades just weeks after application and before long it becomes necessary to remove the wax entirely. Typically, wax should be completely removed and refinished once per year. In between this yearly stripping, there is a constant maintenance struggle to keep the floors looking good. Burnishing and re-coating are required frequently. There is a better option, but first let’s discuss some environmental concerns related to traditional floor waxing and stripping practices that I think are important for us to consider.
Staff Safety - The ingredients in most floor strippers are hazardous and can be a health concern to the cleaning staff. And the danger increases if the chemicals are improperly handled, or safety precautions are not followed.
o Glycol ethers: These solvents are commonly used in wax strippers and can have negative impacts on human health and the environment. They can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems when inhaled and can also contaminate soil and water sources when disposed of improperly.
o Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs): APEs are commonly used as surfactants in wax strippers and other cleaning products. They are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms, causing negative impacts on the food chain.
o Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a common preservative used in some acrylic floor waxes. It is a known carcinogen and can also cause respiratory problems when inhaled.
o Ammonia: Ammonia is often added to wax strippers as a cleaning agent. It is highly toxic to aquatic life and can contribute to eutrophication, which is the process of water bodies becoming over-enriched with nutrients and leading to harmful algal blooms.
o Petroleum distillates: These solvents are commonly used in both acrylic floor wax and wax strippers. They are derived from crude oil and are not renewable or sustainable. They can also contribute to air pollution and climate change.
Environmental Waste - With approximately 2.4 billion square feet of resilient flooring installed in the US in 2015 alone, it is estimated that approximately 5 million gallons of floor stripper are used annually. This is a large quantity of chemicals that in many cases is simply discarded down the drain. And some states are prohibiting this type of disposal which is good for the environment but could skyrocket your costs.
Volatile Organic Chemicals - Waxing, stripping, and burnishing release VOC’s into the atmosphere. Contamination of the atmosphere with airborne pollutants can adversely affect the buildings’ occupants.
Disruption of Business - Stripping is a labor-intensive practice and must be followed by an equally time-consuming re-application of wax. This often involves disruption in the workplace space and creates a big inconvenience for your customer. And for businesses that are open 24 hours per day these disruptions can impact their business.
Damage to Flooring - Stripping shortens the life span of the floor. Stripping is intended to remove only the wax but over time the corrosive nature of these chemicals also tends to wear away the floor tile itself. Harsh and aggressive strippers can cause detrimental damage to floors from continuous use.
There is a better way! EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is superior to traditional floor wax because it is eco-friendly and sustainable, containing no VOCs or harmful chemicals. EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish is a water-based floor finish that offers the ultimate rejuvenation and protection for several floor types. Unique to the market, it is an excellent alternative to wax that eliminates the need for stripping and buffing. Plus, EPIC does not need to be recoated for 3-5 YEARS or more after the initial application, even in high-traffic areas! Watch this brief commercial for an overview and see for yourself how EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish can transform your floorcare program. Floor Finish Solutions Home - EPIC (ultradt.com)
500 ft long VCT floor in a lower-level maintenance hallway that gets lots of abuse from carts and foot traffic. We coated it with EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish and it’s still looking shiny and beautiful without any buffing, stripping, or rewaxing!
Case Study - St. Cloud Hospital, Center for Surgical Care, PACU
OVERVIEW
In partnership with Ultra Durable Technologies, Facility Health Solutions provided CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital with a low-maintenance and economical alternative to traditional acrylic floor care systems.
EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish was developed by Ultra Durable Technologies to completely replace the ongoing and costly maintenance requirements associated with traditional acrylic floor care programs. One thin coat of EPIC® lasts an average of 3-5 years in high traffic environments without any buffing or recoating. The labor savings allow janitorial staff to focus on other important cleaning and sanitizing duties that are increasingly important in medical facilities. In addition, the use of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish saves a tremendous amount of water, electricity, and chemicals that can have a negative impact on patients, visitors, staff, and the environment. Finally, all floor care work requires staff and patient displacement, all of which is a disturbance to daily operations.
THE TRIAL
CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, conducted an initial trial of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish June of 2013. The goal was to monitor how long one coat of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish would outperform the current acrylic floor finish in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). The area is high traffic and includes recovery bays, hallways, nurse stations, and restrooms. The initial EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish trial was led by Molly Voigt, Director of Environmental Services. Molly and her team are responsible for 1.5 million square feet of flooring across the St. Cloud Hospital campus.
The PACU floor was brand new in 2013. The acrylic floor care program that was previously in place at CentraCare, would have required a large amount of labor each year. Due to the continuous activity and long operating hours in this department, Molly and her team knew these floors would be a challenge to maintain. The decision was made to apply EPIC® to the brand-new flooring before opening the area to staff and patients.
TRIAL OUTCOME
As of April 2021, almost eight years after the single coat of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish was applied, the floors still look great. The gloss is still high and there has been no buffing, striping, or recoating. The only maintenance simply involves dust mopping with a microfiber mop in smaller areas and using auto scrubbers in larger areas and halls. Beyond the financial savings, when compared to the expense of the old acrylic wax program, St. Cloud Hospital has also experienced less down time resulting in less patient and staff disruption.
St. Cloud Hospital Post-Anesthesia Care Unit - After just one application of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish. Over eight years without any stripping or buffing!