The Stockton Metropolitan Airport is located in the city of Stockton, California, and serves the central valley. In fall 2013, Harry Mavrogenes, Interim Airport Director of Stockton Metropolitan Airport and Bill Fields, floor specialist and President of Surtec Inc., (a local chemical manufacturer) discussed the airport’s need for a cosmetic overhaul. Complete replacement of the Terminal Building carpet was being considered, but a surprising discovery revealed that underneath the stained and worn carpet tiles laid a once gorgeous cement-based terrazzo floor.
The original floor was installed around 1962. It is the old fashion terrazzo, using rock embedded in cement with metal strips. This discovery propelled the prospect of restoration of the terrazzo floor, rather than replacement of the carpet. Stripping and polishing tests were conducted and the decision was made to restore the original terrazzo floor, saving thousands of tax dollars. Surtec, in cooperation with local contractor, DCS Facility Services, began the process of restoration.
The floor was polished using diamond pucks on automatic scrubbers, with Surtec backer plates to hold the diamonds on the scrubbers. Polishing began with 200 grit diamonds, working up to 1500 diamond grit. At 400, the crew densified with Surtec’s lithium silicate densifier. The entire floor was polished using only automatic scrubbers.
After polishing to 1500, the floor was protected by applying Surtec’s Insta Guard, polished concrete floor protector. The end result is a beautifully restored floor that is easy to maintain. For more information on this project or other restorations, please contact Surtec Inc., Tracy, California at (800) 877 6330, or via email [email protected]
