How to Work on Terrazzo Floors

Remove old floor sealant to access the surface of the terrazzo for cleaning and repair. Cover the floor with a commercial floor sealant remover, using a squeegee to evenly spread the remover over the entire surface. Wait for about 15 minutes for the remover to penetrate the sealant, then wipe the remover off the terrazzo with a damp mop. Use clean water to rinse the floor clear of residue.

Mop the stripped surface using a rope mop and a pH-neutral cleanser. Rinse again with clean water then pat the floor dry with a clean piece of cloth.

Search the floor for any signs of damage requiring repair. This includes deep cracks, holes in the floor surface or chips extending from the floor. Use a cold chisel and a hammer to square off any of the cracks, leveling the base of the crack and flaring the sides so they descend slightly outward, creating an undercut. Cut away the terrazzo chips at the base of the protruding portion, using the tip of the chisel and the hammer to cut through the part still attached to remove the entire chip. Clean out all damaged areas with a nylon brush.

Create a patch mixture for the damaged area by combining a two-part epoxy resin with a color tint that matches the color of the terrazzo piece that you're repairing. Use a putty knife to fill the damaged area with the epoxy to the level of the terrazzo. Add marble chips that match the terrazzo flooring at the damaged area as you pour in the epoxy mix, to help blend the repair area further. Level the surface with the putty knife, then wait the manufacturer's suggested drying time for the epoxy to cure.

Level the patched sections of flooring with the rest of the floor by grinding them smooth with an angle grinder. Attach a diamond grit cup wheel with a very-fine rating to the grinder. Change the cup for a 50-grit resin-polishing pad, then go over the patch a second time to smooth it out further and blend the edges of the patch in with the surrounding floor surface.

Use a floor polisher with a resin-polishing pad attached to polish the entire floor, to match the patched areas. This will help the patches blend in and prepare the floor for resealing.

Cover the entire floor with a new coating of terrazzo floor sealant. Use a squeegee to spread the sealant evenly, nearly saturating the floor with the liquid. Allow the sealant to dry for 48 hours before using the floor again.