Commercial Floor Cleaning – Risks in a commercial location

There are many types of flooring available for commercial locations and the choice of flooring can depend on a number of factors – especially aesthetic considerations and suitablility to the environment and type of business.  Different types of hard floors include hard wood, vinyl, various types of natural stone and slate as well as a variety of fabricated ceramic tiles with different types of finish.  Each type of flooring possesses its own unique qualities, will be available in a range of designs, colours and shapes and sizes – yet one factor which is common amongst all of them is that they will require maintenance to keep them looking like new and in good condition.

The problem with a commercial environment in general is that the floor will be exposed to greater ‘traffic’ than a domestic location.  Whether the floor is in a factory, a reception with visitors coming in or out, or a busy office with plenty of employees – you will soon discover that without regular maintenance, the floor will soon acquire a dull, uneven and unsatisfactory appearance which proves difficult to restore to its original state.

In general, any type of floor should ideally be professionally installed, making sure there are no gaps or faults in the installation.  This is particularly important with wooden or slate and natural stone floors where spillages can cause a dramatic change in appearance.  The next stage is usually to apply a good sealer to the floor – which will offer an additional layer of protection.  A professional commercial floor cleaning company will be able to recommend the appropriate sealant for any floor.

There is a variety of risks present in any commercial location with the potential to damage or spoil your floor, so it is imperative that the floor and sealant are protected.  One risk is the risk of surface scratching and abrasions which can be caused by grit and dirt walked in on the soles of shoes, or by incorrectly moving heavy objects such as furniture.  To prevent this it is worth placing doormats at entrances, sweep and vacuum regularly and take care when moving heavy objects, being careful to lift and not drag.  It is also prudent to place padded tips on chair legs to prevent such scratches.

General traffic is prominent in commercial areas and it may well be a case of the floor becoming worn over time.  If you begin to notice a dulling or mark appearing on the surface it is possible that there has simply been a surface build-up of grime and bacteria, layer upon layer, until it becomes visible.  It is also possible that any sealant that was applied has worn off, or been removed by scratching essentially exposing the surface.  Either way a commercial floor cleaning specialist should be consulted to advise you as to the steps that can be taken.