Maintaining epoxy floors is easy if you follow the dos and don’ts detailed in this thorough guide. First, always sweep or vacuum your floor regularly to eliminate dirt and debris. Next, place felt glides or protective pads underneath the legs of furniture to prevent dragging which can cause scratches and dents.
1. Vacuum Regularly
Using a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool, you should clean all visible joints in the epoxy about once a month. This will prevent dirt and grime from being trapped in these areas and help them look their best.
Sweeping daily in high traffic areas is essential to keeping dust, grit and other contaminants under control. It’s also important to use a soft brush or dust mop rather than a hard bristle one, as the latter can wear the epoxy surface over time.
Addressing spills and other accidents as soon as they occur is crucial to preserving the integrity of an epoxy floor. Spills that involve antifreeze, oil, paint or other chemicals can damage an epoxy floor if left to sit for an extended period of time. These spills should be wiped up immediately with absorbent materials, like paper towels or a cloth. Afterward, a neutral-based cleaner or simple soapy water should be used to clean the area.
Other protective measures, such as placing mats or rugs in areas where heavy equipment or machinery is used, can help protect the flooring’s longevity too. Additionally, avoiding dragging heavy objects over the floor helps reduce any physical abrasions to the surface.
2. Sweep Daily
A daily sweep of the floor is a good idea to prevent loose dirt and grit from scratching or damaging the epoxy surface. You can use a soft bristle broom or dust mop to non-abrasively lift small particles and keep the floor from becoming dull or discolored over time.
Grit left on the floor can be abrasive and grind away at the epoxy. It can also cause scratches in the floor coating that are difficult to repair and can lead to costly maintenance problems over time.
High-traffic areas and oil/grease floors should be swept or vacuumed daily. You should also scrub these areas at least once a week with a mop and bucket or mechanized cleaner that is designed for epoxy surfaces. Use a mild cleaning solution, and always wring out the mop thoroughly to avoid dripping water on the flooring that could damage it. If you have heavy equipment or pallets in these areas, put plywood or mats under them to distribute the weight and reduce the risk of damage.
3. Clean Up Stains Immediately
It’s important to keep an eye on your floor and take action to prevent dirt and other debris from settling on the epoxy coating. This simple step can help reduce the frequency of cleaning, as well as protect against scratches or abrasions.
It is also critical to clean up spills immediately and use a non-abrasive mop. Using a mop with soft bristles can help minimize any potential damage to the epoxy surface. A mild detergent solution diluted with warm water can be used for everyday cleaning.
Stain-specific cleaners may be necessary if your floor coating becomes discolored. This is especially true for oil, harsh chemicals, and water.
Keeping your epoxy flooring clean and in good condition will extend its lifespan and prevent costly repairs and replacements. In addition, it will improve the overall appearance of your commercial or community space. Proper care will also preserve the slip resistance of your floors, ensuring that occupants can move safely across the surfaces. This can be critical for maintaining health and safety standards in some spaces, such as kitchens or pharmaceutical facilities.
4. Repair Cracks
Nothing grinds an epoxy floor faster than traffic on top of it. Whether that’s human shoes grinding grit into it, or heavy equipment such as cars or forklifts rubbing their wheels on the surface, the end result is a worn out floor that looks worse than it is and is more difficult to clean.
Promptly addressing spills and other accidents is also key in maintaining the pristine appearance of your epoxy floors. Liquid spills should be soaked up with absorbent materials and then cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner or soapy water. Acidic cleaners or floor stripping agents are not recommended as they can damage the epoxy coating.
Cracks are another common issue that needs to be addressed quickly before they get bigger. Using the right crack filler before applying the epoxy is essential and will give you the best results. A product such as Patcher Paste works well for this, and is easy to apply. You should also consider placing plywood or mats under any heavy furniture, equipment or tools to prevent denting the floor and damaging the epoxy coating. To learn more about expert solutions for maintaining your epoxy floors, access their website here for valuable tips and guidance.
5. Clean Up Debris
Debris on an epoxy floor can scratch or etch the surface, so it’s important to clean up any spills and debris promptly. This is especially true for chemicals, such as antifreeze or oil, and abrasive substances like sand or gravel. These substances can cause serious damage if they are allowed to sit on the epoxy for an extended period of time.
To remove solid debris, a plastic scraper or putty knife can be used to gently lift and remove the substance from the floor. A mild detergent or warm water solution can then be used to clean the area. A kitchen scrubbing sponge or soft deck brush can also be used to scrub tougher stains from an epoxy floor. Avoid steel wool or harsh chemicals such as Comet as these will scratch or discolor the flooring.
Ensure that your employees understand the importance of cleaning up debris from their work areas to protect the integrity of the epoxy floor coating. It is also a good idea to establish clear guidelines regarding how to care for the floors and regularly communicate these with occupants to promote cooperation and compliance.
6. Keep the Garage Clean
A dirty epoxy floor is a breeding ground for abrasion, scratching, and damage. While the surface of the epoxy is extremely durable and can stand up to a lot, it’s important that all dirt and debris are removed on a regular basis.
A high-quality vacuum or shop vac can help to remove any loose dirt particles on the floor. If there are any large stains, spills, or dirt on the flooring, a non-abrasive cleaning solution and soft brush should be used to gently scrub the floor and then rinsed with water.
Epoxy floors can be damaged by chemical spills and chemicals, such as paints, household cleaners, and abrasive solvents, so it is essential that any spills or accidents are cleaned up immediately. If you are unsure which cleaning products to use, consult your product manufacturer for recommended dilution ratios and test any products in an inconspicuous area of the floor.
Heavy equipment or furniture can cause dents and scratches in the epoxy floor, so it’s important to place mats, foam pads, or furniture pads under heavy objects or furniture to distribute the weight. Additionally, it’s a good idea to place doormats at all entrances to catch dirt and debris before it gets tracked onto the floors.
7. Keep Your Tools in the Right Place
Epoxy floor coatings are highly durable and require very little upkeep. However, they do need to be cleaned regularly to prevent a buildup of substances that can dull the protective surface.
Regular sweeping will keep dust, sand and grit under control. It is recommended to sweep daily in high traffic areas and weekly in less-trafficked areas. Using a shop vacuum with a brush attachment is also an effective way to remove large debris from the floor.
Proper cleaning will ensure a safe and clean environment for staff members and visitors. In addition, a properly maintained epoxy floor is less likely to harbor bacteria and germs, a major concern in commercial and community spaces.
Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive brushes on epoxy floors. Instead, use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove loose dirt and debris. For mopping, a hard foam mop and warm water should be used to avoid scratching the epoxy coating. Stains or spills should be addressed immediately as well. Using absorbent materials such as paper towels can soak up liquids before it evaporates, and oily or sticky stains can be rinsed off with a mild detergent and warm water solution.
8. Don’t Over-Clean
Epoxy floors are resilient, and they can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear before they need to be recoated. However, it’s still possible for them to develop surface problems like large stains, scratches, gouges, and cuts. It’s important to address these problems promptly so they don’t worsen.
It’s also important to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place. Regular sweeping and mopping can help to keep dirt, dust, and debris from scratching or staining the epoxy surface. Use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop for this purpose.
Additionally, utilizing walk-off mats at entranceways can help to capture dirt and debris before it’s tracked onto the floor. It’s also a good idea to place soft rubber mats under heavy equipment, machinery, or furniture. This will distribute the weight of these items evenly and minimize stress on the epoxy flooring. Additionally, reducing the amount of UV exposure will help to avoid discoloration and degradation of the epoxy surface over time. This can be done by limiting the amount of sunlight that enters the space and by using window treatments.