Describes the pros and cons of three broad categories of hard flooring: terrazzo, architectural finishes, and resilient flooring. Includes a sidebar on floor maintenance. (EV)

Examines six steps to maintaining hard wood and resilient floors in educational facilities that can provides a high level of appearance, safety, sanitation, and prevention of damage. Specific cleaning techniques accompany each step. (GR)

Discusses the essential role played by the school custodian in providing a clean and healthy environment. Details various floor cleaning methods and materials. (EV)

Discusses the issues to consider when selecting floor-care chemicals, including the floor-finish systems for hard-surface floors and the care of carpeted floors. Provides thoughts on cleaning chemical usage and environmental awareness. (GR)

Discusses the creation of an effective carpet vacuuming program by combining area usage assessment and vacuuming requirements with a scheduling plan. Also explains vacuum cleaner suction and filtration and how it makes custodian work more efficient. A complementary article discusses creating an effective floor-maintenance plan for resilient…

Provides guidelines to help schools maintain hard floors and carpets, including special areas in schools and colleges that need attention and the elements needed to have a successful carpet-maintenance program. The importance of using heavy equipment to lessen time and effort is explained as are the steps maintenance workers can take to make the…

Provides advice on developing an effective floor and carpet-care program for public schools. Considers eight primary elements: writing cleaning procedures; establishing accountability policies; providing quality-assurance guidelines; making daily and periodic assignments; developing a continuous quality-improvement program; providing on-going…

Examines ways of improving school cleaning costs and quality by adhering to 15 specific principles. Principles discussed include the use of employee training, accountability, quality equipment and supplies, assignment scheduling, written self audits, computerized management, and industry involvement. (GR)

Identifies the 10 most common carpet problems in school facilities and offers solutions. These include: transition areas, moisture, spot removal, recurring spots, cleaning agents, allergens, wicking, biological contamination, equipment selection, and cleaning methods. Ensuring a successful maintenance program results in satisfactory appearance,…

Charles Boney, Jr., Director of Boney Architects, offers his views on school districts that build schools that have to be replaced too soon, general problems concerning renovation of older buildings, and keeping maintenance costs down. He discusses the types of flooring materials school districts should consider using to lower maintenance costs…