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Don't Let Winter Weather Destroy Your Floors

Winter Warriors: Protecting Your Floors from the Elements

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your floors, with rain, snow, sleet, salt, and grit conspiring to create a challenging environment. Fear not; a robust maintenance strategy can be your shield, preserving the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your floors.

Matting Mastery

Control the invasion of grit and moisture by deploying high-quality industrial matting. Implementing a 3-mat system acts as a formidable defense, preventing 80-90% of soils from making their way into your facility. Start with a heavy-duty rubber studded mat outside each entrance to trap particulate soils, followed by a textured scraping mat inside to capture additional debris. Finally, a long finish/wiping mat completes the trio, addressing any remaining dirt on shoes and boots.

Note: Thin, vinyl-backed mats are not as effective and tend to slip.

Cleanliness is Key

In the battle against moisture introduced by snow and rain, increase the frequency of sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing. A clean floor is essential before engaging in burnishing or buffing to prevent grit from embedding into the floor surfaces.

The Ice Melt Dilemma

Beware of the allure of cheap ice melters. Not all salts are created equal, and opting for low-cost solutions may lead to the rapid deterioration of sidewalks, matting, carpets, and floor finishes. Understand the nuances of ice melt products:

  • Sodium Chloride: Abrasive and effective only down to +20F degrees.
  • Calcium Chloride: Excellent melting capabilities but may harm pets and plantings. Melts to -50F degrees.
  • Magnesium Chloride: Safer for pets and plantings, melting to -17F degrees. Destructive to concrete over time.

Choose professional, quality blended ice melters to strike the right balance. Check the label for the chloride composition, ensuring an optimal mix of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and minimal sodium chloride.

Safeguarding Your Floor Finish

Winter poses unique challenges to floor finish adhesion. To prevent adhesion loss, strip the floor finish, apply a quality sealer as a base, and then use a high-quality floor finish. Regular maintenance, including sweeping, scrubbing, and mopping, is crucial. Buffing and burnishing enhance appearance and extend floor finish life.

Conclusion

Utilize the 3-mat system as your first line of defense, maintain impeccable cleanliness, and choose ice melters wisely. For a tailored floor maintenance program, reach out to us. We are here to help you weather the winter without sacrificing the beauty of your floors. Contact us today!