December 19, 2019
We are not trying to be alarmists, but winter is coming and for many of us across the USA that means more snow and ice will also be arriving. That also means chemicals like magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride (a.k.a. salts) will be on the roads and sidewalks and likely transferred into your facilities via vehicles and shoes.
Since Dur-A-Flex’s resinous flooring systems with high performance topcoats are made to withstand these substances, there really isn’t a need to worry, but it is always best practice to keep your floors clean to avoid any buildups of chemicals that could potentially lead to degradation and staining. Fortunately, there are simple ways to maintain your seamless floors and keep them looking great for many winters to come.
Install Walk-Off Mats
Walk-off mats at entryways are a quick and easy way to capture excess salt, water and dirt. Adding mats can also help avoid slips and falls from any puddles caused by melted snow. Remember to remove the mats when cleaning the floor to ensure the resinous floors get a thorough cleaning.
Install Rubber Mats
If your facility houses any vehicles using studded tires or tire chains, consider installing rubber mats for the vehicles to drive and park on. This will decrease the chances of damaging your floors from point load.
Regularly Scheduled Cleaning
Ideally you are already following a regularly scheduled cleaning program for your floors, but with the additional corrosive agents hitting your floors this winter, you should consider spot treating and or daily cleaning, especially areas with vehicular traffic.
The cleaning process we recommend for our resinous floors is as follows:
Sweep floor thoroughly
Apply EZ-Clean or a similar high alkaline cleaning product to floor surface. Remember to dilute the EZ-Clean with water (refer to the EZ-Clean label for proper dilution rate) to avoid a buildup of residue.
Do not use “no rinse” enzyme cleaners for any of Dur-A-Flex’s floors
Dwell allow cleaning product time to emulsify foreign material (approximately 10 – 15 minutes)
Agitate to aid in the release of foreign materials
Remove cleaning product from the floor Squeegee (soft neoprene) or shop vac. Avoid mopping as it just pushes the dirt around
Rinse the floor with clean warm water and remove the water with a squeegee or shop vac. Re-rinse as needed
For full details on this process please see our Cleaning Guidelines. These were just updated, so be sure to download a copy for your records. Following these steps will keep your floors looking and performing their best and help prevent injuries from slips and falls. (Win-win!)
Author: Jes Grant
Jes Grant is the content development manager for Dur-A-Flex. She has over 15 years of experience creating content for various technical industries, and has been featured in several publications for her writing and design work.