5 Myths of Concrete Flooring Cleaning & Maintenance

In advance of World of Concrete 2016, we reveal five misconceptions about concrete floor cleaning and maintenance.

Facilities managers and building contractors all over North America are choosing high performance concrete flooring systems as the preferred material in both commercial and residential properties, especially those in the food and beverage industry. The challenge for these savvy decision makers is to properly clean and maintain them. Too many believe that once a concrete flooring system is installed, it maintains itself. Although most can be cleaned and maintained quite easily, like most other hard floor surfaces, concrete systems maintenance requires a specialized approach that takes several factors into consideration. Otherwise, they can fail.

In advance of World of Concrete 2016 in Las Vegas this February, the IICRC (Institute for Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) takes an inside look into five more commonly held misconceptions about key principles behind concrete floor cleaning and maintenance.

Myth 1: You don’t need chemicals to maintain concrete floors

No hard flooring surface cleans itself, including concrete flooring systems. Chemicals are used to break down, remove and clean dirt and debris. Concrete is exposed to the same dirt and debris as any other flooring, so it should be maintained in a similar manner.

Myth 2: All concrete flooring surfaces are created equal

Concrete is either coated or polished. Maintenance of coated concrete will come down to the maintenance of the coating. For example, epoxies, urethanes and acrylics will have their own criteria associated with them. Polished concrete is maintained with abrasives. While much of the daily maintenance will be similar to other hard floor surfaces, you need to consider the coating before developing a comprehensive maintenance program.

Myth 3: Cleaning staff know how to clean concrete flooring

Depending on who handles cleaning and maintenance responsibilities, there’s a good chance that someone with little to no experience is cleaning concrete flooring systems, including the professional cleaning staff. Before you let anyone clean your floors, make sure they have the knowledge and expertise for the job.

Myth 4: Concrete floors will last just as long without any cleaning or maintenance

If the concrete is coated, the longevity of the floor is dependent on the quality of the coating and how it is maintained. If the concrete is mechanically polished, the longevity is dependent on the methods and how well those methods were executed during the polishing process. Both properly coasted and polished concrete flooring systems will have reduced maintenance and longer life in between restorative procedures than traditional flooring surfaces.

Myth 5: Soil loads and the type of soil do not impact how a concrete floor is cleaned

The amount of soil and the type of soil will dictate the frequency of and the type of cleaning procedures. With this in mind, the maintenance of concrete flooring systems is no different than any other hard floor surface, with only slight variations in products used from one material to another.

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About World Of CONCRTE

World of Concrete is the industry’s only annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries showcasing leading industry suppliers featuring innovative products, construction machinery, construction equipment, safety training courses, new technologies and unlimited networking opportunities to give you new ways to sustain and grow your business. World of Concrete 2016 takes place February 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Industry seminars run February 1-5.

About IICRC

The IICRC is a certification and Standards Developing Organization (SDO) non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. In partnership with regional and international trade associates, the IICRC serves more than 25 countries with offices in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

About Surface Solutions

Recognized as a top UCRETE® Master Contractor since 2012, Surface Solutions is an independent industrial floor contractor specializing in seamless, polymer flooring systems utilizing the most trusted brands in the industry. From testing to consultation and complete installation services, Surface Solutions is your premier source of non-toxic, safe and environmentally friendly flooring systems, offering turnkey installations using only in-house personnel. All installations come with a complete single-source warranty.