Places are strictly limited to 10 delegates so early booking is recommended.
Held in Cramlington, Northumberland. Places are stictly limited. This course is sponsored by ourselves and provided by StoneWorks part of the Advance Group. We strongly recommend that if you wish to do this course then you book your place as soon as possible. We are more than happy to receive payment for the course in instalments as long as the full amount is paid before 8th February 2018. Please contact us to make arrangements.
The course is being held in a bespoke training facility and, as you can see from the photographs below, a fantastic range of flooring has been prepared that really allows attendees to get “hands on” during practical sessions. The flooring includes: Terrazzo, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Conglomerate Marble, Honed Slate, Riven Slate and Resin Composite Tile.
The following are images from a previous course.
"Can't believe what is achievable with a minimum of tools and how much can be done with just an ordinary floor polisher. An easy atmosphere to learn in with simple, direct, hands-on teaching. Right, now off to tell all my customers!"
Paul King (Revita)
"It was a very beneficial (hands-on) course to those who are wanting to learn about Hard Floor Cleaning, I throughly enjoyed it and came away with a great amount of knowledge that will equip me to face watever jobs come my way.”
Roy Junior McReynolds (Elite Cleaning Services)
"I don't really want to write a testimonial as I would prefer Steve to remain a well kept secret!! Seriously though, I had been wanting to get into stone floors for a couple of years so had high expectations of the training. It didn't disappoint! The hands-on structure of the training was exactly what I was after. Steve has an array of machines, tools, diamond pads, powders, products etc and we got to try them all. Steve's knowledge is very impressive. He handled any question with ease and in a manner that we could understand which is why I gained so much from the course. Steve is a genuinely helpful guy, above and beyond what I expected. He has since given me advice after the course which has helped me secure my first marble restoration job for just short of a thousand pounds. If anyone wants to give me a ring or email I am more than happy to have a chat about this training."
Karl Fox (Cannon Cleaning & Restoration)
Attendees also receive an extremely comprehensive Manual (the Table of Contents are available to download below under "Further Information"). This manual is an invaluable source of reference and, in our opinion, is worth it's weight in gold!! Of course, remember, that once you have completed this course you do not just have to rely on this manual...you get direct access to, and on-going help from, Stephen Riley, one of the leading experts in this field.
Introduction to Stone Floor Management and Cleaning is a 2 day formal course with optional 1 day practical and demonstration day, held within a bespoke training centre, and offering a complete overview of the management of stone floors, and the professional cleaning, maintenance and restoration of stone floors.
This course covers the basics of geology and stone identification and the preparation needed to repair, restore, clean and maintain all types of stone floor surfaces. It then provides detailed practical applications and development of the skills needed to clean and maintain any stone surface, using best practice and professional cleaning
equipment and solutions.
The course also offers an overview for costing services, with help on bidding, preparation of quotations and the sales and marketing techniques and tactics required to develop these skills into a full time professional occupation.
This course is ideal for anyone wishing to enter stone floor cleaning as a potential career or business development opportunity. It is equally applicable to any employee of an organisation in the construction, building maintenance, facilities management or cleaning services sector, looking to develop specific skills which can be used by the organisation.
The course follows 12 standard units with detailed course notes and practical sessions during applicable sessions. All those attending the course will receive a detailed course pack and will utilise professional cleaning equipment during the course.
On completion of this 2 day intensive course which includes use of all equipment and products, you will have the opportunity to remain for a half day practical session, putting new skills into practice, using your own equipment and for additional Q&A opportunities with the Advance Group team.
About Advance Group
Led by Stephen Riley from Advance Group, this is an ideal introduction, detailed preparation and practical demonstration of the skills needed to operate in the industry. Stephen Riley is Managing Director of Advance Group, one of the country’s leading specialist stone floor cleaning companies, handling national contracts with major retail and shopping centre groups, hotel chains and individual establishments with high quality stone flooring.
About Stephen Riley
Stephen is an expert in stone floor maintenance, restoration and cleaning, and is one of only a handful of individuals trained to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Stone Inspector standard, and he has also studied at the world leading National Training Centre for Stone and Masonry Trades in North Carolina.
Introduction to Stone Floor Management and Cleaning
Unit Course Summary
Unit 1 – Geology and Stone Identification
An introduction into stone flooring requires a fundamental understanding of the geology of stone. This unit covers the identification and distinctions between Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic rock, mineral identification and scales of hardness. This essential unit develops the skills needed by any stonework professional to identify stone types for appropriate maintenance and cleaning.
Unit 2 – Quarrying and Fabrication
The basics of quarrying and the resulting stone surfaces, finishes and textures are discussed in detail. This builds a confidence in understanding the different types of surface finish to enable appropriate maintenance, cleaning and treatment of any stone floor surface.
Unit 3 – Stone Floor Refinishing/Polishing
Covering the 3 basic steps to prepare for refinishing and polishing a stone floor this unit covers in detail the grit size, abrasive types and techniques required to achieve a polished finish to a stone surface. Alternative stone polishing techniques and stone floor restoration are also covered in this unit.
Unit 4 – Procedures and Techniques
This detailed practical unit looks in depth at various surfaces and identifies the appropriate techniques and procedures required in stone floor management. Covering everything from refinishing for soft marble to limestone refinishing to remove browning and Terrazo refinishing and polishing, this detailed unit provides an overview of the most common surface treatment techniques.
Unit 5 – Stone Cleaning
Chemistry basics and understanding pH levels allows for excellence in stone cleaning. This unit offers the practical understanding of chemistry required to how stone cleaners work and the correct application of cleaning products.
Unit 6 – Stain Removal
This session looks at the process of identifying stains initially and using a detailed stain removal chart, covers the wide variety of appropriate options for treating stains on stone surfaces. The unit also provides practical skills in stain removal.
Unit 7 – Troubleshooting
This session covers a huge variety of issues facing stone floor maintenance professionals. Using the basis of a Job Survey for initial inspection and recommendations, this unit provides troubleshooting assistance to over a dozen different but common issues ranging from Holes and Pitting to Warping, Grout problems, Lippage and Efflorescence. This unit builds confidence and skills in identifying common problems in the overall long term maintenance and treatment of stone flooring.
Unit 8 – Stone Maintenance
The processes required in stone maintenance and the discussion of restoration over maintenance as a technique are covered. This practical unit looks at basics of maintenance and the programme required for a professional maintenance service.
Unit 9 – Equipment
A practical session looking at the floor machines, hand held machines, wet vacuum equipment and other specialist equipment and products currently on the market to assist commercial cleaning professionals.
Unit 10 – Bids and Estimates
Providing a stone restoration bid sheet and discussing the commercial aspects of providing quotes, bidding for work and providing professional estimation services is a crucial element of the course for anyone wishing to enter commercial stone flooring cleaning as a career.
Unit 11 – Marketing
This unit reflects on the opportunities developed through the course, and the potential to use the skills developed to either extend an existing business service or develop a new one. The focus of this session is to provide professional help and advice with tips and hints on how to promote yourself and your business, and sales strategy development.
Unit 12 – Frequently Asked Questions
A focussed session covering main topics of discussion and recapping on the course in detail, adding valuable additional insights. This session will be a structured short session, with the opportunity for those participating to ask additional questions based on the course content.
Notes:
The course will also offer a detailed Question and Answer session and provide full feedback sessions for the course, so that those attending can gain the extended knowledge they need from attendance.
There is an optional practical and demonstration day immediately following the course, where those attending the course can use the Advance Group facilities to further develop practical skills using their own professional cleaning equipment. This session is optional, and will allow for further discussion around specific surfaces and practical demonstrations to add to the existing course content.
Systems and Methods Utilized
Large and small planetary grinding machines, slow speed single disc machines and high speed single disc machines up to 98Kg. Also in use will be honing powders (different grades), resin bonded diamonds, metal bonded diamonds, Frankfurt pads and Twister pads, highlighting the uses and limitations of each system. Crystallizing will also be demonstrated
