Using floor mats and cleaning more frequently are two ways to prevent rock salt from damaging your floors.
Winter is a time when commercial flooring takes a beating from snow, water, slush, and ice.
Snowplows are out on a regular basis clearing snow and putting rock salt on the roads and walkways to keep travelers and pedestrians safe. The problem is salt crystals and salt water then get tracked inside onto office flooring causing potentially unsightly damage to floors.
While the salt protects people driving on the road and when walking outside, it is a nightmare for commercial flooring! Salt crystals are abrasive and will scratch polished floors and grind into carpets. The heavy salt crystals will hopefully be left behind when people first walk into buildings, but salt water can be carried much further. This diluted salt water stays on the bottom of shoes and spreads throughout commercial office spaces leaving white residue behind.
Rock salt and salt water will jeopardize the longevity and appearance of the floors, which could result in early replacement. Considering flooring is expensive, we want to help you protect that investment with some solutions to this winter problem.
Floors Already Damaged?
Wondering if your floors are already damaged by salt or water? Here is a list of things to look for that may be caused by winter salt and snow:
Scratches and marks. In the winter, this can be caused by rock salt and pieces of asphalt being transported inside. They can scratch surfaces and cut through a floor’s finish and continue to break down the integrity of your flooring.
Damage to finish. Salt crystals can deteriorate the finish on your floor and salt water can also cause the finish to dull and be damaged. The salt corrodes and eats away at the finish.
Floor may dry out. Ice salt can also dry out the floor, which again comprises the integrity of the flooring.
Discoloration and stains. All of these wintry elements can cause stains and discoloration on hard surfaced floors and carpets.
Warping, separating, or rotting. Hardwoods can take on moisture, which can result in warping or worse, rotting.
Alternative Solutions
Look in to alternate ice and snow melting methods. Using rock salt is the number one method to remove ice and snow. However, its corrosive nature causes damage to roads, sidewalks, infrastructures, and of course flooring. For these reasons it may be worth looking into other ways to melt the snow and ice. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Potassium Chloride
Magnesium Chloride
Urea
Good Old Kitty Litter
Mats, Mats, Mats!
When it comes to protecting your flooring, you can never have enough mats. Okay, technically you could have too many mats, but definitely be sure to have some. The most efficient way to keep ice salt from reaching your flooring is to prevent it from being tracked inside. If possible, place mats in the exterior entrance to the building, or vestibule. Then have additional floor mats directly on the inside of the entry way. That will limit the amount of rock salt that makes its way into and onto the flooring.
There are many types of mats to consider such as rubberized or scrapper entry way mats or even heated ones. The mats should be wide enough and long enough where most of the moisture and salt is removed from foot traffic before reaching the bare floor. It is also a good idea to make sure the matting has rubber backing on it to help prevent it from slipping.
Remember to remove excess water, debris, and dirt from mats frequently. Also lift up and clean beneath them as they can sometimes hold moisture against your flooring. Matting should be treated and cleaned just like linoleum.
Having these mats help prevent rock salt from reaching your flooring, which is just one of the benefits. They will also keep your floors looking neat and save time and money having to clean them. Lastly, mats serve as a safety feature reducing the risk of employees or guests slipping and falling.
Clean Flooring More Often
During the winters months you will want to have your professional cleaning service clean your floors more often. This is another way to prevent it from becoming damaged from rock salt.
If there is hardwood flooring in the building, try to do everything you can to prevent rock salt from getting on it. It can literally eat through the finish and discolor the wood below. This will allow any water that may have been tracked in to seep through. Additionally, hardwood floors soak up moisture. During winter months, constant wetness can warp the floor and cause gaps. It is important to wipe up excess water immediately and to clean up rock salt frequently to protect your flooring.
Preventative Measures: Reseal Your Floors
Before winter hits it may be a good time to think about resealing your floors. This is especially true for the high traffic areas. If you have vinyl, hardwood, tile and grout or concrete, consider doing this on annual basis. This gives them added protection against moisture and salt.
Spread the Word
This may sound silly, but a lot of people do not think about this problem. They do not even know why or probably do not even think about the importance of keeping rock salt out of commercial buildings. Presenting them with the information about the damage it can do may make them less likely to track it in. A little knowledge can go a long way!
When dealing with wintry conditions and the havoc it creates for your flooring, your professional cleaning company knows the correct cleaning solutions you need. They will know how to remove salt residue, chemicals from the salt melt, and stains. They should also have the commercial equipment specifically designed to clean more thoroughly than non-commercial devices. It is important to discuss these things with your professional cleaning company to make sure that you are getting the most effective cleaning plan.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
