In the past decade, many businesses have been moving towards epoxy floor maintenance to keep their facilities looking clean and attractive. The exceptionally resilient floors can hold up to a lot of wear and tear over time, but they still need some regular care if you want them to stay beautiful. Here are 12 tips on how to maintain epoxy flooring:
1 – Keep Your Floor Clean
Make sure that your epoxy gets a little extra cleaning whenever there is a spill. If you don’t take care of it right away, then the liquid may infiltrate into the epoxy and begin causing irreversible damage. It’s recommended to use a mixture of warm water and dish soap to clean the floor and then to dry it off immediately. Try to create a schedule where you clean the surface of the floor to ensure that it stays looking pristine.
2 – Avoid Sharp Objects
As with any other type of flooring, you should avoid dropping sharp objects on your epoxy surface. This can cause chips and cracks that will make the floor look unsightly. If you need to move something heavy, try to use a dolly or other tool to help you out. Even though epoxy is durable, it’s still vulnerable to damage if you’re not careful.
3 – Use a Mat at Doorways
If there are any doorways in your space, make sure to place mats down so that people don’t track dirt and debris onto the floor. This will help keep your epoxy looking clean and shiny for as long as possible. You can also put mats near other areas where there is a lot of foot traffic, such as in front of shelves or workstations. You can even use different colors to decorate certain areas if you’d like.
4 – Use a Dust Mop
If you keep a dust mop around, then it will be very easy for you to pick up any excess dirt that is on the floor. This can help make sure that how your epoxy looks are never compromised by using the wrong tool. If your facility uses a lot of floor cleaners, then regular mopping may not cut it—in this case, consider investing in an industrial-grade vacuum cleaner as well.
5 – Apply Two Coats of Epoxy
A lot of facilities only coat their floors once and think that they’re all set, but there’s something important that they don’t know: the first coat of epoxy is not as durable as the second. You’ll want to make sure that you wait 24 hours after applying the first coat so that it has time to dry, and then apply the second layer. This will give your floor a noticeably thicker coating, which can increase its resistance to damage significantly.
6 – Stay Waxy
Another great tip for maintaining epoxy floors is to regularly wax them if they’re in a high traffic location. This means that there’s some extra effort on your part, but it will be worth it because your floors will stay shiny and new looking for longer than usual. Be aware that waxing can change the color of certain types of epoxy surfaces, so consider testing an inconspicuous area before you start waxing the entire floor.
7 – Use a Sealant
If you’re looking for an even more durable option, then consider using a sealant on your epoxy flooring. Sealants can help keep out any liquids that may try to penetrate the surface, and they also form a protective layer that will make scratches and other blemishes less noticeable. It’s important to note that sealants should only be used every few years, as they can eventually start to wear down over time.
8 – Be Aware of Chemicals
One thing that you’ll want to avoid is exposing your epoxy flooring to any harsh chemicals. This includes things like strong cleaning solutions, paint thinner, and gasoline. If you’re not sure if a chemical is safe to use near your flooring, then it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it altogether.
9 – Protect from UV Rays
Just like with any other type of flooring, you’ll want to protect your epoxy surface from UV rays. This can be done by using a UV-resistant sealant or by installing blinds or curtains over windows that face the sun. Direct exposure to sunlight can cause discoloration and fading over time, so it’s important to take preventative measures if you want your flooring to stay looking its best.
10 – Use Rugs in High Traffic Areas
If there are certain areas in your space that see a lot of foot traffic, then it’s a good idea to place rugs in these areas so that you can protect your epoxy floor. You can put them down permanently or just for special events—just make sure that the mats are easy to clean if anything spills on them.
11 – Keep It Clean
One thing that is guaranteed to cause damage to any type of flooring is excess dirt and grime. That’s why it’s super important to keep your epoxy surface clean even when there isn’t an event going on. Just by taking this small step each day, you’ll be preventing all sorts of nasty things from happening in the future!
12 – Let It Dry Thoroughly Before Using Heavy Equipment
Remember, the epoxy on your floor may look dry to you, but it’s not 100% cured until 72 hours after installation. This means that there will still be some chemical reactions taking place during this time, so it’s important to avoid using any heavy machinery on the floor for at least three days after installation.
Commercial Epoxy May Need Additional Care
It’s also important to note that commercial epoxy floors will require more care than residential ones. There are certain sealants and treatments that work well for one type but not the other, so make sure you know what you’re working with before taking any steps towards maintenance or repair.
If you follow all of these steps, then your epoxy floors will stay looking great for years to come! If you’ve already got some damage that’s proving difficult to fix, just give Epoxy Flooring San Antonio a call, and we’ll get it taken care of.