How to Maintain Commercial Epoxy Flooring
As facilities managers explore flooring options for commercial spaces, one question that frequently arises is whether epoxy floors require maintenance. The short answer is a resounding yes. Despite their reputation for durability and resilience, it is essential to maintain epoxy floors to ensure their longevity and optimal performance. In this article, we will discuss the importance of maintaining commercial epoxy floors and offer valuable tips for long-term care.
Why do you need to maintain commercial epoxy flooring?
It is essential to maintain epoxy flooring for several reasons that impact the functionality, appearance, and safety of your commercial space. By regularly maintaining your epoxy floor, you can protect its integrity, extend its lifespan, and avoid costly repairs or replacements. Here are some key reasons why you need to maintain your commercial epoxy flooring:
Durability: One of the top reasons commercial epoxy flooring is installed is due to its exceptional durability. However, to ensure the longevity of your floor, proper care and maintenance are crucial to avoiding cracking and delamination. Once the floor deteriorates, water and grease can seep into the cracks and increase the problem. Water that seeps under the flooring will weaken the bond between the epoxy later and the substrate causing even more extensive damage. Grease that continues to build up will cause the surface to become slippery and hazardous which will increase the risk of accidents in the workplace.
Appearance: Epoxy flooring is known for its seamless, attractive appearance in many commercial settings. Years of neglect or proper care or cleaning can cause the floor to develop stains or discoloration. Regular cleaning and maintenance help preserve the floor’s aesthetics, contributing to a professional and welcoming environment.
Health and Safety: In commercial and community spaces, ensuring the health and safety of employees and visitors is always a top priority. One of the key aspects of this is maintaining the floor to prevent the buildup of dirt, grime, and grease, which can compromise its slip resistance. Regular cleaning and inspection are crucial in preserving the slip-resistant properties of your epoxy floor, contributing to a safer working environment. Additionally, the flooring is less likely to harbor harmful bacteria and germs – a critical concern for commercial spaces like kitchens, hospitals, food processing plants, and pharmaceutical facilities. Periodic deep cleaning and sanitization can help ensure a hygienic surface, minimize contamination risks, and offer a healthier commercial or community space.
Cost savings: Neglecting proper maintenance can significantly shorten the floor’s lifespan, resulting in the need for a new flooring system sooner than anticipated. By proactively investing in maintaining your epoxy floor, you can extend its life and ultimately save on costly repairs or replacements.
Successful Inspection Results: By implementing periodic upkeep, you can proactively identify and address potential issues before they escalate and lead to fines or even closure by health authorities. Remaining compliant with health and safety regulations will also boost the reputation of your business or community which leads to building trust with customers, residents, or visitors.
How Do You Maintain an Epoxy Floor?
To maintain the durability of your commercial epoxy flooring and prevent these issues, it is essential to adopt a routine maintenance plan that includes:
- Regular Cleaning: Establish a regular cleaning schedule and follow best practices This will not only preserve the floor’s aesthetics but also maintain its slip-resistant properties. Use a soft-bristle broom or a dust mop daily for dry debris, and a damp mop with mild detergent for wet cleaning as needed.
- Prompt Repairs: Regularly inspect your epoxy floor for any signs of damage, such as cracks, chips, or peeling. Address these issues immediately before they worsen, as this can prevent more extensive and costly repairs in the future.
- Use Suitable Cleaning Products: It’s essential to use cleaning products that are specifically designed for epoxy floors or those that are pH-neutral and non-abrasive. Avoid using harsh chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia, which can damage the epoxy coating and dull its finish that won’t harm the epoxy surface.
- Professional Maintenance: Monitor the floor’s condition and periodically schedule professional maintenance for your epoxy floor. This may include resealing, repairing cracks, or buffing the surface to restore its luster.
- Protect Surface: To avoid cracking or abrasion, place protective pads or rubber mats in high-traffic areas or under heavy equipment, machinery, or furniture to distribute the weight evenly and reduce the stress on the epoxy floor. Cleaning near and under the mats is important to protecting the flooring’s longevity too. It’s also recommended to utilize caster wheels on heavy items to facilitate movement without causing damage.
- Reduce UV exposure: Reducing UV exposure helps to avoid discoloration, fading, and degradation of the flooring over time. Use window treatments or UV-blocking window films to reduce the effects of sunlight. There are UV-resistant top coats available to provide an additional sealant to maintain the appearance and durability of the floor.
By implementing these measures, you can ensure the durability of your commercial epoxy flooring, maintain its appearance, and protect your investment for years to come. Consult with our expert floor technicians at Feature Flooring to schedule your maintenance work.
Epoxy Flooring vs. Quarry Tile: A Comparison in Commercial Kitchens
Epoxy flooring and quarry tile are both popular choices for commercial kitchen applications. While each option has its benefits, epoxy flooring tends to be easier to maintain compared to quarry tile. Here, we’ll compare the two flooring options and discuss specific considerations for commercial kitchens.
| Flooring Consideration | Epoxy Flooring | Quarry Tile |
| Cleaning and Maintenance | Seamless, non-porous surface that is resistant to stains, chemicals, and moisture | Grout lines can accumulate dirt, grime, and bacteria, requiring more effort and time to clean thoroughly |
| Slip Resistance | Slip-resistant, and can be customized with various textures and additives to increase slip-resistance | Can become slippery when wet or greasy which is more common in kitchens |
| Hygiene | Seamless flooring is less likely to harbor bacteria or mold and easier to clean | Grout lines are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, requiring frequent and rigorous cleaning |
| Durability | JetRock Epoxy requires little maintenance when properly cared for and remains durable for 15 years | The average quarry tile collects debris in grout almost months after installation which leads to yearly grout replacement |
Get Maintenance Advice for Your Commercial Floor Project
By implementing these maintenance considerations in your commercial space you can be confident you’re protecting your epoxy flooring investment, maintaining a safe and hygienic environment, and enjoying the benefits of a durable and attractive flooring solution. Contact us if you want to learn more about the benefits of epoxy flooring and discuss your maintenance needs after installation.