When you think about seasonal changes in your manufacturing facility, the first thing that comes to mind is likely rising heating and cooling costs, the need for snow removal in your parking lot, and perhaps adding industrial fans and wet floor signs to keep entryways safe in wet or snowy conditions.
But what may not be immediately evident is that those same seasonal changes could be affecting your facility floors, leading to damage that can compromise your facility and lead to costly damage over time.
Protecting your concrete floors from damage begins with understanding the seasonal threats that can lead to cracks, holes, and other problems over time. Keep reading to learn more about how seasonal changes will affect your floors, as well as what you can do to put a stop to the damage and extend the life of your facility floors.
Seasonal Changes That Affect Your Facility Floors
Perhaps the biggest seasonal threat to floors is temperature changes. While it's common knowledge that rising and dropping temps can leave hardwood floors warped and swollen, these changes are a threat in manufacturing facilities as well.
Concrete is very susceptible to damage caused by changes in temperature. In warm weather, concrete will swell and expand. In cold temperatures, it shrinks and contracts.
New concrete floors may expand and contract without visible damage. But over time, extreme changes in temperature can cause cracks. If your concrete floors come into regular contact with water during these temperature changes, this can speed up the damage. Just as cracks in an outdoor sidewalk occur when water freezes in small holes and cracks and causes them to expand, the same can occur in your concrete floors.
The longer the damage is left unchecked, the more compromised your concrete floors may become. Changes in temperature are not the only seasonal change that can cause damage to your facility's floors. Contact with common chemicals can also lead to damage. For instance, salt, found in water or used to prevent ice outside of your facility, can also lead to damage. Rock salt, or sodium chloride, may be effective at keeping pathways safe for your employees. But it can speed up the damage caused by water freezing and thawing on your concrete floors, accelerating damage and shortening the lifespan of your floors.
Preventing Seasonal Damage to Concrete Floors
Preventing seasonal damage to your facility floors can be a challenge. Utilizing floor mats near entrances and industrial fans to help dry out any water that gets inside can help slow down the damage. Climate control within your facility can also help to reduce damage caused by changing temperatures if you are located in an area that sees extreme seasonal changes. But these measures can't stop all damage. It also can't reverse any damage that has already occurred.
That's where concrete coatings come in. Depending on the type of coating that you choose, these can help cover any damage that has occurred, which can prevent water from getting in or temperature changes worsening that damage. It can also help to protect your floors from spills, changes in the weather, and more.
Protecting your facility floors from damage starts with choosing the right coating. For example, Novolac coatings may be a better choice for high levels of traffic, including vehicle traffic, but maybe less tolerant of temperature changes when compared to polyurethane coatings. Epoxy coatings are extremely resilient to bright sunlight, fire, and heat, as is urethane mortar flooring. The latter features no odor, cures fast, and is very resistant to organic and inorganic solvents and acids.
Concrete coatings can be applied over brand new concrete floors to prevent damage. But it can also be used on older floors to help lock out water, heat, and cold that could be causing any cracks or other damage to worsen.
Maintaining Your Floors All Year Long
If you want the concrete floors within your facility to last, it's important to consider how seasonal changes, chemicals, and other hazards can affect them. Protecting your floors with a concrete coating is a great way to extend their lifespan and prevent damage that could put your employees at risk of injury and your equipment at risk of costly damage.
If you have any question about the condition of your facility’s floors, please fill out the form below and our team will be happy to assist you.