As summer is winding down, your floor prep should be ramping up. With students out and time (kind of) still on your side, now’s your chance to get floors looking fresh for the first day. But not every floor needs the full treatment. The trick is knowing which process to use and when to use it. 

Start by assessing the condition. Walk the building and look closely. Are the floors dull but mostly intact? Are they scuffed and scratched beyond recognition? Are there patches where the finish is worn down to bare tile? Every space will tell a different story. 

If the floor looks cloudy, yellowed, or has major build-up, stripping and refinishing is your reset button. This process removes old layers entirely and starts from scratch so you can add a fresh finish. It’s labor-intensive, yes, but it gives you the longest payoff. Just be sure to use the right stripper for the floor type and allow time for curing before traffic returns. 

If the base finish is in good shape but it’s lost its shine, a scrub and recoat might be all you need. This procedure involves machine scrubbing the surface to remove grime and topcoat building, then applying a fresh layer of finish. It’s faster than a full strip, but still gives the floor a like-new look.

For floors that just need a quick refresh, burnishing or buffing can bring back the gloss. This application works best on floors that have been well maintained and just need a polish to bounce back. 

💡 Test a small area first. Don’t assume your process works based on how the floor looks from far away. Get in there. Try a scrub patch. Try a strip patch. See how the finish responds. A few extra minutes of testing can save hours of rework later.  And don’t forget about edges, corners, or under furniture- places machines can’t always reach. Detail work can make or break the final result, so don’t cut corners! 

Getting floors school-ready isn’t just about appearance. Clean, shiny floors set the tone. They make the whole building feel ready. Whether it’s the gym, cafeteria, or classroom wing, a well-done floor tells staff and students: we’re prepared for the year ahead.