Last week we discussed one very small but important step in caring for your industrial warehouse floors- sweeping dry particles. This week we’ll look at what a proper maintenance routine. While we usually don’t think of concrete as an absorbent material, it’s actually quite porous. This is why polishing or coating your concrete floor is vital to its lifespan. We know the importance of a safety program, consider your maintenance routine to be a part of your safety program. Removing debris and spills will prevent slips, collisions, and other accidents from happening.
While each company differs in its routine, there are general rules of thumb that can and should be followed. Let’s begin by breaking the maintenance schedule down into different timetables: Immediately, Daily, Weekly, Annually or As Needed.
Immediately
Tasks that fall into the timetable of needing to be performed immediately are those that have to do with accidents, spills, or leaks. Any spills of dyes, chemicals, corrosive liquids, water, etc. need to be cleaned up A.S.A.P. Standing water can weaken coatings over time and even the concrete itself- costing you more money. If your facility is dealing with a lot of water or other liquids, ensure you have a proper drainage system, appropriate tools, and a floor designed the right way to avoid standing water. Just as important is cleaning debris off of high traffic areas to really extend the life of your concrete floor.
Daily
Daily tasks will depend on the type of facility. If your facility must adhere to the USDA requirements, you’ll likely have more (or more detailed) daily tasks to perform. Floor joints and cracks become magnets for particles of food. Without consistent and proper cleaning, these bacteria breeding grounds will become a one-way ticket to being shut down. Dry and damp mopping should absolutely be a part of the daily routine. These simple cleaning procedures effectively remove soils and substances tracked in from the outdoors. Auto-scrubbing with a gentle cleaning solution or water should be done daily if it makes sense and is feasible for your facility. Don’t overlook these daily housekeeping tasks. They will benefit your facility greatly in the long run and help prevent your business from shutting down for any health, safety, or damage reasons.
Weekly
If it doesn’t add up for your company to auto-scrub every day, consider performing this task weekly. Depending on the type of concrete floor, weekly buffing and burnishing may be necessary to maintain pique condition. Remember: never skip cleaning the floors thoroughly before buffing, burnishing, or auto-scrubbing, doing this will result in dirt and grime eroding and embedding into the floor.
Bi-Annually, Annually, or As Needed
Tasks that need to be performed Bi-Annually, Annually, or As Needed are recoating the floors, repairing cracks in the concrete or epoxy, and filling joints. It’s more likely than not that a professional company will need to come in for some of these tasks. Otherwise thoroughly research the product and procedure before attempting to do it on your own. A qualified industrial floor service company can answer any of your questions and advise you on the best option for your floors and for your company. Keep track of problem areas and recurring incidents.
Commit
If your company wants to extend the life of the industrial floors and prevent unwanted shutdowns from happening, ensure a proper floor cleaning and maintenance program is in effect. Dry mop every day and, if possible, auto scrub. Plan ahead for more time-consuming maintenance. Consider investing in equipment that will speed up the process and stay on top of the floor condition. Take care of repairs as needed and don’t let them build up over time. Doing this may seem unnecessary, but, in the end, a poorly maintained floor will only cost you time and money.