Proficient cleaning of nora floor coverings

Q: Does the nora pro clean^® system replace existing nora^® maintenance recommendations?

A: The nora pro clean system does not replace our existing maintenance recommendations, which will continue to be viable. The nora pro clean system is an advanced, alternative procedure to clean nora floor coverings without the use of detergents.

Q: Do nora^® Pads contain any harmful chemicals?

A: No, there are no chemicals, cleaners or solvents present in the pads. 

Q: What are nora Pads made of? 

A: The pads are made of synthetic fibers coated with microscopic industrial diamonds. 

Q: Why do I sometimes smell rubber during the cleaning procedure?

A:   You may smell rubber during the cleaning process if the scrub solution is too dirty or when you do not have sufficient fresh water on the floor. Once you smell rubber, it is an indication to pick up the dirty solution and apply more fresh water. 

Q: Will the nora pro clean system increase the floors shine over time?

A:   With continued cleaning of the floor with an auto scrubber and nora^® Pad 1, there will be an increase in the shine level of the floor, providing the auto scrubber has a min. of 150 – 400 rpm. 

Q: Approximately how long do the pads last? 

A: nora^® Pad 0 will last approximately 80,000 – 100,000 square feet
nora Pad 1 will last approximately 80,000 – 100,000 square feet
nora^® Pad 2 will last approximately 40,000 – 60,000 square feet
nora^® Pad 3 will last approximately 20,000 – 40,000 square feet 

Q: When should I replace the pad? 

A: When using the pads with an auto scrubber, replace the pad when it has worn down to about ¼" thickness. 

Q: How do I achieve a deep shine? 

A:  You can increase the shine with the following options:
• Damp mop the floor and burnish wet with nora Pad 1. Burnisher should not exceed 1800 rpm.
• Burnish dry with 3M™ #4100 white soft pad.

Q: Do we recommend wet or dry burnishing? 

A: Burnishing the floor when wet (damp mop) is the safest way to burnish a floor without creating airborne dust or odor. 

Q:  Do the pro clean pads perform on older nora flooring that has been installed 3 –10 years ago?

A:  Yes. It does not matter how old the rubber flooring is provided the flooring does not have any coatings 
on the surface. 

Q: Can I use any machine to wet burnish the floor?

A:  A burnisher may be used, but only with the following criteria:
• The burnisher should not have an active or passive vacuum.
• Do not use a burnisher above 1800 rpm for wet burnishing on noraplan^® 2mm or 3mm products.
• Do not use any machine that spins over 1800 rpm to dry buff noraplan 2mm or 3mm products.
• Do not use any buffing pad other than 3M™ #4100 

Q: Why do I sometimes smell rubber during burnishing?

A:  To avoid smelling rubber, you must use the pads wet (damp mop) and spend less time burnishing in one place. 

Q:  How long will the high shine last? 

A:  The duration of the shine will be dependent on the amount of traffic on the flooring. 

Q: Will the nora pro clean system eventually wear off some of the flooring? 

A: The nora Pads and nora pro clean system have been laboratory tested for a simulated 14-year period with no measurable wear or visible damage. 

Q: Will the nora pro clean system affect the floor’s slip resistance? 

A: The nora pro clean system will not change the floor’s coefficient of friction. 

Q: Can we use nora Pads on all nora floorcoverings?

A:  You can utilize the pads on specific nora flooring (except norament^® round surfaces). Use only nora Pad 1 on norament^® grano and norament^® serra products. Note: for discontinued nora flooring products, or products not currently found on www.nora.com/us, contact the nora^® Technical Department. 

Q: Can nora Pads be used on any flooring or just nora flooring? 

A: The pads are designed for use on specific nora flooring only. If pads are used for an extended period of time on other floorcoverings, it may result in surface abrasion or damage. 

Q: Can nora Pads be used on PU coatings? 

A: The pads are designed for use on nora flooring only. Extended use of the pads on floors with PU surfaces will eventually degrade the PU coating. 

Q:  Are there any other pads similar to nora Pads on the market? 

A:  Although you can find similar concepts on the market, such as 3M™, nora Pads have a specific grit and texture designed only for the nora pro clean system. 3M™ pads are not equivalent to the nora Pads. 

Q: What machine(s) can be used for the nora pro clean system? 

A:  You can use nora Pads with auto scrubbers, H20 auto scrubbers or side-to-side buffers. Rotary side to side buffers should have a min. 175 rpm and weigh at least 100 lbs. Auto scrubbers must have a rotary speed of 150 – 400 rpm when using nora Pads. nora Pads are not recommended for square head machines. 

Q: What type/color pads does nora offer? 

A:  nora Pads are numbered 0, 1, 2, and 3, but are not color-coded. All the pads are clearly marked with the pad number and size. The higher the pad number, the more aggressive the pad becomes.
nora Pad 0 is for post construction and daily cleaning.
nora Pad 1 is for post construction and daily cleaning, and polishing of the floor.
nora Pad 2 is for periodic and deep cleaning.
nora Pad 3 is for deep cleaning and restoration. 

Q: nora Pad 0 and 1 both state they can be used for daily cleaning; what is the difference between the two pads?

A: Like nora Pad 1, nora Pad 0 removes surface dirt and keeps nora flooring clean, but it eliminates the need for follow-up burnishing (enhanced shine) when used on a floor scrubber and/or autoscrubber. Unlike the higher sheen that can be achieved with nora Pad 1, nora Pad 0 is less aggressive and provides a low sheen on the surface of the flooring. 

Q: Why would I select nora Pad 0, as opposed to nora Pad1?

A: When nora Pad 1 is used a follow-up burnishing (enhanced shine) is required, which guarantees the floor will achieve a high shine. However, as a high shine is not always desirable, nora Pad 0 eliminates the need for the extra step of burnishing, which provides a low sheen on the surface of the flooring, and saves time and money. 

Q:  Is there a specific sequence of use for the pads?

A:  Yes, it is recommended to always use nora Pad 1 after use of nora Pad 2 or nora Pad 3. Some abrasion marks may be left after use of Pads 2 & 3, so you would need to go over the area by burnishing (enhanced shine protocol) with nora Pad 1. After using nora Pad 1, nora Pad 0 could be used to keep the floor clean and maintain the shine.

Q: Will the nora pro clean system work better with a cleaning solution?

A: The system works best with just water. There is no benefit to using detergents. 

Q: Does the nora pro clean system change the way we clean in OR’s or eliminate the need for disinfectants?

A:  nora Pads are only recommended when there is surface damage and/or heavy stains that cannot be removed. Remember to burnish the floor after using Pad 1, 2 or 3. nora recommends using a 3M™ #5300 cleaning pad and detergent floor cleaner for scrubbing the floor in terminal cleaning in OR. Hospital facilities should follow their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for infection control. 

Q: What is the guideline for dealing with surface damage? 

A:  Follow this simple guideline for dealing with surface scratching and damage: 
If you can see it and do not feel it: use nora Pad 1.
If you can see it and feel it: use nora Pad 3.
If you can see it, feel it and there appears to be material missing: cold weld repair or replacement of the area will be required. 

Q: Can the nora pro clean system be used to remove adhesive or cold weld left on the floor?

A: Yes, the system can be used to remove adhesive and cold weld residue, but you first need to remove as much of the residue as possible by safe mechanical means before proceeding with the pads. 

Q: What sizes are the pads available in?

A: nora Pads 0 and 1 are available in 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 20 inch
nora Pad 2 is available in 13, 14, 17 and 20 inch
nora Pad 3 is available in 17 and 20 inch