Your facility’s flooring is one of the first things people notice when they enter your building. If you want to make a great first impression, it’s important to invest in high-quality commercial flooring that will stand up to the amount of foot traffic you receive.
Once you’ve made this investment, you’ll want your floors to look brand new for as long as possible. Here's a look at some of the factors that impact how long you can expect your commercial flooring to last and a few quick tips to help you extend its lifespan.
Top Factors That Impact Your Flooring’s Lifespan
The lifespan of your commercial flooring depends on many factors, including the material it’s made of and whether it has any obvious damage or stains. In addition, some of the things that impact how long you can expect your flooring to last include:
• The quality of the material
• Proper installation
• Volume of foot traffic
• Regular maintenance
Professionally installed, high-quality flooring that is consistently maintained will have the longest lifespan and will give you the best return on your investment.
5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Flooring
How well you take care of your flooring will have a major impact on how long it lasts. Luckily, it’s quite simple to adopt a routine that will extend the lifespan of your flooring. Start with these five quick tips.
1. Address Stains and Spills Right Away
Not only do wet, sticky floors create a safety hazard, but spills can quickly make your floors fade, wear out, and age prematurely. Accidents happen, but it's what you do about them that makes a difference. Make sure your staff understands the importance of taking care of stains and spills right away and provide them with easy access to the materials they need for proper clean-up.
2. Commit to Routine Cleaning
Cleaning your floors on a set schedule is one of the most important things you can do. Dirt, rocks, and other sharp objects can create abrasions on your floors’ surface, scratching the sealant and speeding up the aging process. To avoid this, sweep the floors throughout the day to remove dust and debris and clean them thoroughly at the end of each day.
It's also important to regularly deep clean and seal your floors. You may want to consider hiring a professional commercial floor cleaning company and setting up a schedule to ensure this important task doesn't fall through the cracks.
3. Be Careful with Heavy Objects
Machinery, equipment, and other heavy objects can damage your floors. Not only can the weight put excessive stress on your flooring, but dragging items can scratch or gouge the surface. Be sure to consider this when planning the layout of your commercial space and always use proper methods when moving heavy objects.
4. Use Protective Entrance Mats
Placing large, high-quality mats in front of every doorway will help trap dirt before it can make its way inside. This can help prevent scratches and keep it from getting embedded into any indoor carpet fibers. Choosing mats that cover at least 80% of the width of each doorway will allow you to trap the bulk of the outdoor contaminants before they can end up on your floors.
5. Find and Repair Imperfections
Commercial flooring stands up to a lot of stress. After you've had it for some time, it's common to come across a small crack, an upturned corner, or a snag or tear. Regularly inspecting your floors for imperfections and proactively fixing them will help extend the lifespan of your entire floor space.
Maintenance Best Practices
Maintaining your floors is critical if you want them to last. But not all maintenance efforts produce the same results. For example, you may think that sweeping and mopping every day is sufficient. While this is a great start, it’s not the most effective solution. Sweeping leaves quite a bit of dust and debris behind, and mopping does little more than push dirty water around.
Using a commercial vacuum is the most effective way to remove dirt and debris from the floor – even if you don’t have carpet. You'll also want to regularly use a floor scrubber, buffer, and polisher. These tools will clean your floors more thoroughly and make them look shiny and new.
As you clean your floors, make sure you're using the right solutions. Avoid excessively strong or abrasive cleaners, be sure to read the labels carefully, and always dilute them properly.
Consult with a Flooring Expert
If you’re looking for a beautiful and long-lasting commercial flooring solution, the experts at Concrete Coatings of the Carolinas are here to help. Contact us today to request a free consultation.