Once commercial flooring has been installed, maintaining it properly is key. In order to ensure that your new purchase holds its value over time, make sure to communicate with those responsible for cleaning and maintaining it, and provide them with the equipment and training necessary to do so.
Common in buildings such as medical and educational institutions as well as offices and shopping malls,
commercial flooring takes a real beating. Even though the materials used are far more durable than those used in standard home-grade counterparts, it will still show signs of wear, over time. However, with the right tools and expert cleaning and maintenance, its lifetime can be extended.
The reasons that some organizations often neglect the purchase and upkeep of the items necessary to maintain their commercial flooring are more complex than you might expect, but the benefits are probably higher-reaching, too!
1.They simply don’t know what’s needed or aren’t responsible for it.
In some companies, facilities management personnel determine purchases such as new floor coverings, while an outsourced custodial company provides the cleaning. In some such instances, it may be unclear which company should provide updated, appropriate equipment. Other times, the equipment provided through a custodial group may be outdated or in poor repair, causing undue stress on the tile or carpet.
The types of equipment a company should buy will vary, according to the type of commercial flooring, the amount of square footage involved, and the type of wear involved. For carpet, professional-grade vacuums, carpet extractors, and carpet dryers are needed. For tile, quality buffers and stripping and waxing machines should be carefully selected.
2.Their custodial crew isn’t trained on the new equipment or with the new products.
While many companies hire well-trained floor care technicians, many more do not. If janitors aren’t trained about how to care for the new commercial flooring and how to use the new cleaning equipment, they may not be aware of the distinct needs related to the new floors.
In addition to purchasing the equipment, companies need to provide their floor care technicians with specific information from the manufacturer, and make sure they have been trained on how to operate the equipment needed to maintain the floors. Whether the equipment involved is located on site or is periodically rented, those involved should be informed regarding the expectations of the company regarding how often certain tasks should be done and proper protocol for closing off certain sections of the building.
3.They don’t realize the benefits of having quality equipment.
The kind of professional-grade equipment suitable for properly caring for floors is definitely expensive; however, it can save money, in the long run. The savings occurs due to decreased labor costs and expensive repair work and early replacement. Lower labor costs come in the form of fewer hours needed to complete the task, sometimes cutting high overtime pay for extra projects.
If you’re purchasing new commercial flooring, you’ll want to make sure to protect its integrity and longevity. In order to do so, make sure those responsible for its maintenance are well-trained and well-equipped to properly are for it. By taking that extra step, you can make sure your purchase lasts.
