Our History
30 Years of Care
SOLID Surface Care is a national commercial facility surface care company founded in 1996 by Mike Crippen. For 30 years we have restored and maintained the surfaces inside commercial buildings, with our own crews, so facilities look better and last longer.
How did SOLID Surface Care start?
SOLID began in 1996 with a simple belief: take care of people, do the right thing, and never compromise on quality, and success will follow. Mike Crippen came out of the commercial flooring business and saw room for a higher standard of craftsmanship and professionalism in surface care.
That belief built a national company. Today SOLID serves clients across the country from more than 40 offices, with hundreds of team members and millions of square feet of commercial space under our care every day.
We work alongside a facility's existing janitorial program. Their team handles daily cleaning. Ours handles the deep cleaning, restoration, and specialized care that surfaces need to reach their full service life.
- 1996
- Founded by Mike Crippen
- 30
- Years in commercial surface care
- 40+
- Offices nationwide
- 5
- Core values that guide the work
“This milestone isn’t really about the number. It’s about the people who made it possible.”
Who is behind 30 years of SOLID?
Our people. The technician restoring a stone floor at 2 a.m. The crew refinishing metal or caring for carpet. The operations teams, account managers, sales professionals, and administrators who keep every project moving. Every one of them shaped the company SOLID is today.
SOLID self-performs its work. The people on your floors are SOLID associates, trained to our standard and accountable to it.
Of everything built over three decades, the thing we are proudest of is the culture. As SOLID has entered new markets, welcomed new teammates, and grown through acquisitions, protecting that culture has stayed one of our highest priorities.
What are SOLID’s core values?
SOLID has five core values. They guide how we treat one another, how we serve clients, and how we approach every job.
- Be Honest.Say what the surface needs and what it doesn’t.
- Be Caring.For clients, for teammates, for the spaces we work in.
- Be Creative.We are solutionists. Every facility has a problem worth solving.
- Be Expert.Know the material, the method, and the reason for both.
- Be Great.Mike’s personal mantra, and the standard for the finished work.
What has stayed the same in 30 years?
The industry has changed a great deal since 1996. Technology has evolved, client expectations have risen, and facilities have become more sophisticated.
Our philosophy has not changed: restore instead of replace whenever possible, deliver exceptional craftsmanship, and create long-term value for our clients. A surface that is restored and properly maintained protects the investment already made in the building.
That applies to every surface we care for: carpet, concrete, metal, millwork, stone, terrazzo, textiles, tile and grout, vinyl and resilient flooring, wood, window washing, and powerwashing.
What industries does SOLID serve?
SOLID cares for surfaces in 13 types of commercial facilities nationwide. Each has its own traffic patterns, materials, and operating hours, and our crews plan the work around them.
What comes next for SOLID?
We are investing in our people, expanding our capabilities, and embracing innovation. The goal has never been simply to be the largest company in our industry. The goal is to be the most trusted partner for commercial surface care, known for expertise, integrity, and a commitment to excellence.
“Thirty years is an incredible milestone. But for us, it’s only the beginning.”
Who founded SOLID Surface Care?
Mike Crippen founded SOLID Surface Care in 1996 and leads it today as CEO. A graduate of The Citadel with a degree in Business Administration, Mike began his career in commercial flooring before building SOLID into a national organization of experts delivering self-performed surface care.
He continues to champion innovation, craftsmanship, asset preservation, and the people-first culture that has defined SOLID for 30 years.
Read Mike’s 30th anniversary letter or meet the SOLID leadership team.
Thank you
- To every associate, past and presentThank you for believing in the mission and taking pride in the work.
- To our clients and partnersThank you for trusting us year after year, and for challenging us to be great.
- To everyone who will help write the next chapterThank you for being part of what’s next.
Frequently asked questions
When was SOLID Surface Care founded?
SOLID Surface Care was founded in 1996 by Mike Crippen, who remains Founder and CEO. The company marks its 30th anniversary in 2026.
What does SOLID Surface Care do?
SOLID Surface Care is a national commercial facility surface care company. It provides deep cleaning, restoration, and specialized maintenance for carpet, concrete, metal, millwork, stone, terrazzo, textiles, tile and grout, vinyl and resilient flooring, and wood, plus window washing and powerwashing.
Is SOLID a janitorial company?
No. SOLID does not provide janitorial services. SOLID supplements a facility’s existing janitorial program with the deep cleaning, restoration, and specialized surface care that daily cleaning does not cover.
Where does SOLID Surface Care operate?
SOLID serves commercial facilities across the United States from more than 40 offices, with hundreds of team members nationwide. See SOLID locations.
What industries does SOLID serve?
SOLID serves airports, banks and financial institutions, commercial construction, commercial kitchens, corporate facilities, educational institutions, gyms and fitness centers, healthcare and medical facilities, hospitality, multi-family, retail, transit centers, and venues.
What are SOLID’s core values?
SOLID’s five core values are Be Honest, Be Caring, Be Creative, Be Expert, and Be Great.
Does SOLID use subcontractors?
SOLID is built as a national organization of experts delivering self-performed solutions, meaning the work is done by SOLID associates.
Put 30 years of surface care to work in your facility
Tell us what surfaces you manage. We’ll show you what can be restored and what a care plan looks like.
Request a demo 1-844-227-6543