Five Tips to Properly Maintain Your Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy is a durable, lasting floor coating that is used in a variety of applications, including high-traffic areas, warehouses, garages and retail establishments. Its high luster is attractive and highly reflective, and the coating is easy to maintain. With these five simple steps for taking care of epoxy floors, you can keep your epoxy flooring looking and functioning at its best for many years.
Epoxy Floors Maintenance
1. Sweep regularly.
Dirt and grit can scratch, etch and wear the epoxy surface. Regular sweeping will keep dust, sand, grit and debris under control. Sweep or use a dust mop daily in high-traffic areas or at least weekly in less trafficked areas. Remove any rugs or furniture to get as much debris as possible. If you need to move heavy equipment across the floor, sweep first to prevent any dirt from becoming trapped under the equipment and leaving scratches.
2. Deal with spots and stains properly.
While epoxy flooring is highly water-resistant, you should clean up spills or tracked-in messes promptly. You can use a wet-and-dry vacuum to vacuum up the spill or mop the liquid. Some stains might need a little more work. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing pads, such as steel wool. You should also avoid citrus and vinegar-based cleaners, which can break down the epoxy coating. Instead, use a soft deck brush or kitchen sponge and a gentle cleanser to scrub away any stains that occur.
3. Choose cleaners carefully.
Soap will cloud the shine of the epoxy and will build up on the floor. When maintaining epoxy floors, you will not need harsh cleansers. A mop or deck brush and warm water will typically get your floors clean. If your flooring is particularly dirty or heavily soiled, start by sweeping and vacuuming thoroughly. Then use a hard foam mop and hot water to strip the build-up from the floor. Finally, mop one last time using an ammonia and water mix. To create the mixture, use 2 to 3 ounces of clear ammonia per gallon of hot water.
4. Address serious chemicals properly.
Car-related chemicals and spills are common in some environments. Use shop towels or paper towels to wipe up antifreeze, oil, gasoline or similar chemicals, and dispose of them appropriately. Do not allow these chemicals to sit on the epoxy long if possible. Household cleaners, paint and abrasive liquids and chemicals also need to be cleaned up immediately.
5. Have an epoxy floors maintenance plan.
Maintaining epoxy floors properly will help extend their lifespan and keep them looking glossy and fresh. For the best results, daily sweeping and, if necessary, mopping will keep your floors looking great. Weekly deep cleaning and scrubbing will reduce the risk of gloss-dulling build-up. Check your floor periodically for signs of wear and tear, including stains, scratches, gouges or cuts. These should be addressed as soon as possible so that they do not worsen over time.
About Blackrock Industrial
At Blackrock Industrial, we offer a wide range of industrial flooring options along with aesthetically appealing flooring solutions for virtually every application. We are certified by the country’s top manufacturers and understand the ins and outs of each type of flooring. Our team of flooring specialists can help you find the right flooring for your needs. Contact us or schedule a site visit with our team to learn more about taking care of epoxy floors or to get an estimate. At Blackrock Industrial, we are always happy to explain the benefits that an epoxy flooring system can offer you and your facility.
