Taking the right steps can help your commercial floors last longer and look brand new. Sweep & mop regularly, use specialized paper boards under heavy furniture (like ram board), and add floor castors to chairs for ease of movement.
Follow the four main cleaning processes daily: emptying entry mats, sweeping or vacuuming, dust mopping, and wet mopping with an auto scrubber.
Regular Cleaning
A clean and maintained commercial flooring Manhattan, NY reflects well on the business and creates a positive image that draws in customers. It also reduces the risk of slip and fall accidents, improves air quality, and extends the life of the flooring.
Regularly sweep or vacuum carpets to remove dirt and debris that can cause wear. Vacuuming is more effective than mopping because it can pick up more dust and allergens. To keep the warranty valid, companies should schedule a deep clean by a professional cleaner at least once every year or two.
Sweep or vacuum hard-surface flooring daily to remove dirt & grit that can scratch surfaces. Mop and rinse as needed. Use a neutral cleaning agent with the recommended ratio of 3 fl. oz. of cleaner to 1 gallon of clean water for best results. Follow the manufacturer’s specific maintenance instructions for your particular flooring type. Rinse thoroughly to remove excess chemicals and leftover grime.
Sealing
Commercial floors go through a lot of wear and tear. They get walked on hundreds (if not thousands) of times daily and bear the brunt of spillages, dirt, and debris. This is why they must be stripped and resealed regularly.
Concrete is a popular choice for commercial flooring because of its organic look and durability, but it can be stained or damaged easily due to its porous surface. Sealing your concrete floors creates a slick surface that is more easily cleaned and can help extend the life of the material.
Another reason to consider sealing your concrete floors is rock salt’s impact on them. This corrosive chemical will damage the surface of your flooring, especially in areas that receive heavy traffic. By sealing your concrete floors, you can avoid early replacement and protect the health of employees and customers.
Repairing Scratches
Commercial flooring is a big investment, and you want to ensure it looks its best. Having a maintenance plan is the key to this, especially for those types of floors that require specialized care.
Lighter scuff marks can be repaired with a wax pencil that matches the floor color. Rub firmly over the scratch at various angles to fill it in completely.
Deeper scratches can be repaired using a floor repair putty kit. To prevent any harm to the laminate underneath, follow the instructions closely.
Vinyl is popular for commercial flooring due to its affordability and durability. Unfortunately, heavy furniture or dropped items can cause dents and scratches. Replacing a damaged section is possible, but it’s more involved than the other types of flooring listed above. It’s typically best to leave this to the professionals. Having them handle the initial installation and ongoing cleaning will reduce the time you need to spend on repairs and replacements in the future.
Repainting
Whether your facility uses vinyl, tile, concrete, or hardwood floors, all require a consistent maintenance schedule to ensure they last. The exact type of routine that works best for each type of flooring will vary depending on the environment and the amount of wear and tear it experiences. Still, all require daily sweeping or vacuuming and regular deep cleanings to keep them in good condition.
Stains and scratches are inevitable in any commercial space, but there are many methods for removing them to prevent permanent damage. For instance, scuff marks and small scratches can often be fixed by buffing the floor with a commercial-grade scuff remover. You can apply a commercial floor cleaner with an encapsulant or solvent for stains to dissolve and prevent them from re-forming.
Regularly resealing the surface for concrete floors will also help minimize damage from rock salt and other winter weather conditions. Additionally, putting walk-off mats at exterior entrances and near comfort rooms will greatly limit the amount of ice salt that makes it inside the building.
