Floor Stripping in Rhode Island
Old, yellowed floor finish removed down to the bare floor, ready for a fresh, even coat.
What floor stripping does
Commercial vinyl and tile floors are protected by a coating of floor finish. Each time the floor is refinished, another layer goes down, and over the years those layers gather dirt, scuffs and an amber cast that no mop will lift. Floor stripping removes all of it, back to the bare floor, so a clean, even finish can go on top.
Vinyl composition tile is everywhere in older Rhode Island buildings: school classrooms and corridors, clinic hallways, municipal offices and old retail units, many of them cleaned and recoated for decades. The classroom floor on this page is typical: a large, light tile floor that looks fresh again once the old finish is gone and new finish is down. Salt and grit from the winter months are what scratch through the old coat first.
Signs your floor needs stripping, not just mopping
- An amber or yellow tint in the finish, especially along the walls.
- Black scuff marks that come back minutes after you clean them.
- The floor looks cloudy or dull even when it is freshly mopped.
- Finish is peeling or flaking at corners, doorways and under desks.
- Layers of old wax are visibly built up in the corners.
- You have recoated several times and the shine no longer lasts.
How we strip a floor
- Prepare the areaFurniture is moved or worked around, and walls and edges are protected from splash.
- Apply stripper and let it workThe stripping solution needs time on the floor to soften old finish.
- Machine-scrubA floor machine with a stripping pad lifts the softened finish, and corners and edges are done by hand.
- Pick up and rinseThe slurry is removed and the floor rinsed so no residue is left behind.
- Inspect and refinishWe check the bare floor, then apply new finish, covered on our floor waxing page.
What affects the cost of floor stripping
- Floor area. The total square footage to be stripped.
- Condition of the finish. Many old layers take longer to remove than one or two.
- Edges and corners. Hand work along baseboards adds time, especially in small rooms and corridors.
- Furniture and obstacles. Moving or working around fixtures changes the schedule.
- Refinishing. New coats of finish after stripping are scoped as part of the job.
Why choose D'best for floor stripping
Stripping is a job where care shows. After 25 years we know how long a stripper needs to work, how much water a floor can take, and when the bare tile is telling you it needs a repair rather than another coat. The finished floors across this site are from our own jobs.
Floor stripping across Rhode Island
We strip floors in Woonsocket, Cranston and across the state. Call (860) 578-7591 to describe your floor.
Floor stripping questions
How long does the floor need to stay clear when it is being stripped?
The area has to be free of furniture and foot traffic while we work, and that is for the full job, since stripping and applying new finish are normally done together. We tell you how long your space will be out of use once we have seen it.
Is stripping always needed, or can the floor just be recoated?
Not always. If the old finish is still sound and only dull, scrubbing and recoating may be enough. Stripping is for finish that has yellowed, built up, peeled or is deeply scuffed. We tell you honestly which one your floor needs.
Will stripping damage my tile?
Done properly, no. Stripping removes the finish and not the floor, and it protects the tile because new finish is applied afterwards. Rushed work, harsh chemicals or too much water are what cause damage, and those are what a careful process avoids.
Can you strip carpet?
No. Stripping is for hard resilient floors like vinyl tile. Carpet has its own deep cleaning, which we also offer.
Do you apply new finish after stripping?
Yes, that is the normal pairing. We strip the old finish and then apply fresh coats as part of floor waxing, so the floor is not left bare.
Ready for a fresh start on your floors?
Call us or send a request and tell us about your floor.