Your new polymer floor surface is designed to be extremely durable, abrasion resistant, and attractive. A degree of preventative maintenance is required to protect your investment in this floor surface. A sound program that includes proper use, routine cleaning and conscientious personnel awareness will result in extended service life of the new floor.
Floor scrubbing with a neutral pH, citrus-based cleaning solution is recommended
Polymer floor coatings require 7-14 days after installation to develop an optimal cure. Chemical, stain, and abrasion resistance properties will continue to increase during this curing time. Care should be taken not to expose the floor to extreme chemical or physical abuse during the first few weeks of service.
Dirt and debris can be very abrasive when left on the floor surface. Constant traffic, in combination with dirt and debris, can act like sandpaper, in essence dulling, scratching, and gouging the floor coating surface.
The following cleaning, maintenance and repair recommendations will help control dirt and debris, and will keep your floor performing the way it was intended:
Scrub: Bi-monthly cleaning with detergent and warm to hot (less than 120ºF) water. A neutral pH cleaner, preferably citrus based is recommended. Clear, hot rinse water (in place of a detergent solution) should be used 20% of the time (every third week) to prevent soap build up and haze. The initial soap concentration should not exceed 1 part soap to 50 parts water. The use of spray bottles with concentrated detergent will allow aggressive spot cleaning without a film build up. Utilize the minimum scrub head down pressure and non-abrading polypropylene bristle brushes. Regular cleaning and/or wash down with clear warm water will help prevent detergent build up and improve gloss retention.
Clean: Clean all liquid and chemical spills immediately. Take care to utilize proper safety equipment as required.
Repair: Repair scratches, gouges, or chips in the surface as soon as possible using matching materials provided by your polymer flooring vendor or installation contractor.
Prevention: Avoid spinning or hard pivoting of motorized tires on the flooring surface. Avoid extended exposure to standing, strong chemicals such as window washer fluid, ethyl acetate and acetone. Use mats or tiles beneath heavy objects and vehicles for the first few weeks to protect the fresh surface from indentation or tire staining.
These simple activities, when executed correctly and methodically, can greatly contribute to a durable, great-looking floor with a long, useful service life.
Do you have a flooring project, but don’t know where to start? Our Industrial Flooring Self-Assessment Tool can help you determine the ideal solution for your unique application.
Industrial Polymers at 866-361-3331.