Proper industrial concrete floor protection can prevent chemicals, microbes, electrostatic, and water from causing damage, not to mention employee accidents and potential health threats.
When it comes to industrial concrete floor coatings, however, the “one-size-fits-all” approach doesn’t apply. Instead, finding the right protective flooring solution for your workplace requires careful planning and the expertise of a flooring specialist.
Keep reading to find out what approaches may be necessary for your own facility.
Antimicrobial Floors & Walls
Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are all examples of microbes that can take up residence in the concrete floors and walls of your facility. Concrete is a porous material, meaning that it is filled with tiny air pockets that allow moisture to settle inside. This creates the perfect environment for harmful microbes to thrive and wreak havoc on your business – particularly if you work within the food and beverage or medical and pharmaceutical industries.
The answer to this problem is an antimicrobial floor and wall solution, which not only protects against the growth of harmful microbes, but also continues to protect against them for the lifetime of the floor and walls.
AntiStatic, ESD, Conductive Concrete Flooring
For many facilities, ensuring ignition control safety and minimizing the risk of static discharge is vital. This is particularly true for those within the electronics, pharmaceutical, printing, and ink manufacturing industries, as well as workplaces which store chemicals or flammable items.
Many movements within a space can produce static electricity, including those of vehicles, as well as repetitive movements and vibrations. It’s important to eradicate the chances of electrostatic discharge occurring, as this can pose risks such as sparks, fire, and heat.
Anti-static and electrostatic discharge (ESD) flooring is the best way to counter these threats. It works by distributing the built-up static electricity through the floor and grounding the charge so it cannot discharge and cause harm.
Chemical Resistant Flooring
Concrete is also vulnerable to erosion from harsh chemicals or acids, including those found in many industrial cleaning products. This can greatly impact the longevity and strength of your concrete flooring, and can also have more alarming effects, including the contamination of soil or groundwater.
Facilities which store products containing chemicals, including caustics, oils, solvents, acids, or cleaning products, must also be aware of this issue and apply best practices to their concrete flooring to avoid disaster.
This is why a chemical-resistant floor coating is necessary for all industrial facilities, as it allows you to further protect your employees, workplace, and the environment surrounding it.
Industrial Epoxy Densifier & Penetrants for Concrete Floors
Another way to improve the strength and longevity of your industrial concrete flooring is through the application of an industrial epoxy densifier and penetrant. As we mentioned earlier, without proper protection, concrete is an abrasive material, and can easily be affected by dust, moisture, and foot traffic over time.
Industrial epoxy densifiers and penetrants chemically react with the free Alkalis within the concrete to harden it, whilst also sealing it from dust particles and moisture from above.
Industrial Concrete Epoxy Floor Sealer
Similarly, an industrial concrete Epoxy floor sealer works by sealing the concrete surface to protect it from wear and tear, as well as the penetration of dust particles and absorption of water.
It’s easy to clean and maintain, yet unlike industrial Epoxy densifiers, it doesn’t produce a chemical reaction in the concrete to harden it from within.
Industrial Slip Resistant Floor Coating
Whether used as a standalone treatment or in addition to the other best practices outlined in this guide, an industrial slip-resistant floor coating is highly recommended to prevent workplace accidents and keep both visitors and your employees safe.
It works by providing a concrete coating that enhances traction and is vital for workplaces where there is potential for liquids, powders, or fine abrasives to come into contact with the floor’s surface.
Waterproof Industrial and Concrete Floor Coatings
Don’t risk water, spills, floods, or any other unpredictable occurrences destroying your workplace’s concrete flooring. Every workplace can benefit from a waterproof industrial concrete coating (after all, no one is immune to a spilled mop bucket or burst water pipe), however, several facilities must pay particular attention to this issue:
• Fast food restaurants
• Pool and spa facilities
• Communal showers and restrooms
• Food and beverage producers
• Manufacturing facilities
• Commercial kitchens
A high-functioning waterproof flooring system doesn’t just prevent liquids from seeping into the concrete floor but should also be strong enough to handle frequent cleaning with hoses, mops, and chemical solutions.
To learn more about protecting your industrial concrete flooring – and ultimately, your workplace – we invite you to contact us today for a free consultation.