Did you just get an epoxy floor coating done and want to ensure it lasts long? You’ve come to the right place. Our experts at Steel Coated Floors are here with this insightful guide on epoxy floor coating maintenance and care. Not only will you find our tips useful, but your floor will stay clean, stain-free, and scratch-free for a long time.
Here are some tips and tricks on epoxy floor coating maintenance and care.
Sweep and Mop Your Floors Everyday
While this sounds like a pretty obvious thing to do, it’s important to clean your floors daily. All you need to do is sweep and mop them on a regular basis. You can do this either with a broom, vacuum, or any other cleaning equipment you prefer. This is done to ensure your floors stay dust- and dirt-free.
It’s also important to keep in mind that if you’re using a mechanized sweeper, make sure it has a soft brush. You want to be mindful of this because rough bristles can leave scratches on your floor coating. Moreover, place mats at entrances to prevent your floors from getting dirty.
Scrub Your Epoxy Floor Weekly
Sometimes, just sweeping and mopping your floors isn’t enough. This isn’t to say that epoxy floor coatings aren’t low maintenance, they definitely are. However, the dirt and grime they accumulate require scrubbing to fully clean them. Ideally, you should be scrubbing your floors every week. We recommend scrubbing them once a week at least.
If you have installed epoxy floor coating in a high foot traffic area, you will need a good quality liquid cleanser and brush. Moreover, areas where oil and grease accumulate often, need to be scrubbed every day. We suggest using a mop or a mechanized scrubber for more efficient cleaning.
Always Clean Up Spills Right Away
If you notice any liquid spills, clean them up right away. Otherwise, your epoxy floor coating can incur damaged. It can even pose a safety hazard, causing someone to slip and get hurt themselves. Harsh chemicals and liquids can damage an epoxy floor coating. These include caustics and acids, which become more damaging the longer they remain on the floor.
The last thing you want is for your epoxy floor coating to be softened, lose color, or removed completely. Therefore, give spills and leaks immediate attention.
Repair Scratches and Gouges
Repairing gouges or scratches is essential for epoxy floor coating maintenance and care. If you notice any on the floor, tend to them as soon as possible. If you deal with heavy machinery and equipment, handle them very carefully. It is advisable to not scrape, slide, or drop anything heavy or sharp without the right protection. You do not want your floor to get deep gouges or cuts.
Damaged floors are more likely to absorb moisture, which can cause the epoxy coating to peel.
For damaged coatings, you need TSP detergent, sandpaper, and the original coating material. You will first make sure the area is clean of any sort of dirt and grease. Then you will rub the sandpaper on the scratches to smoothen them out. After that, wash the floor with plain water and dry it properly. Lastly, apply the original coating material for a fully repaired epoxy floor.
Prevent and Remove Stains
Stain removal is an essential part of epoxy floor coating maintenance and care. If you notice a stain on your epoxy floor coating, clean it right away. You can do this by using a mild cleanser to clean it. Depending on the intensity of the stain, you may use a stronger cleanser. If you’re working with chemicals, use rubber gloves and eye protection.
If grease and oil stay on your floor for more than a day, they’re more likely to stain it. In case of a stain, ensure you quickly scrub it off using TSP detergent. Sometimes, you may not notice a spill right away. If that happens, it’ll be more difficult to clean it later.
In order to clean it, eliminate any residue with a plastic tool. Be careful though because you don’t want to scratch the floor coating. Then, use a wet cloth to wipe the area that was stained.
Eliminate Rubber Burns
Heavy machinery such as forklifts can cause vehicle burns because of their tires. If you notice these on your floor coating, you can remove them easily with a few simple steps. Use a citric acid cleanser to clean the affected area. You will need a stiff brush to ensure it is cleaned thoroughly. Then clean it using TSP detergent, rinse it with water, and wipe it down with a cloth.
Have a Maintenance Plan
Although epoxy coatings are durable and resistant, they still require care and regular maintenance. In order to ensure their longevity, you must have a maintenance plan in place.
If you work in an industry that uses harsh chemicals, ensure you clean any spills immediately. This will prevent your epoxy coating from eroding and becoming damaged. Moreover, weekly maintenance ensures your epoxy coating stays smooth and dirt-free. Yearly maintenance depends on the amount and intensity of the damage your floors have sustained and calling a professional in can help you determine an action plan.
Your epoxy floor may need a recoat in certain cases. You may notice that the epoxy coating is peeling off. There’s also a possibility that the coating may become uneven or start to pull away from the concrete. If there is excessive wear or bubbling, call in a professional. In any of these cases, you may need an epoxy recoat.
These were some of the essential epoxy floor coating maintenance and care tips. If you’re searching for quality floor coating services, you can always reach out to us. We provide epoxy floor coatings, steel-coated epoxy floors, and industrial epoxy floor coating in Layton. Reach out for more information now.
